Kelviyin Nayagane
From Apoorva Raagangal · 1975
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singers
- Vani Jairam, B. S. Sasirekha
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Apoorva Raagangal1975
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Kelviyin naayaganae | O Lord of questions! |
| Female | |
| Kelviyin naayaganae…ae… | O Lord of questions... ah... |
| Indha kelvikku badhil yedhaiyaa | What is the answer to this question, sir? |
| Kelviyin naayaganae…ae… | O Lord of questions... ah... |
| Indha kelvikku badhil yedhaiyaa | What is the answer to this question, sir? |
| Illaadha medai ondril | On a non-existent stage, |
| Ezhudhaadha naadagathai | In an unwritten play, |
| Ellorum nadikkindrom | We are all acting, |
| Naamae ellorum paarkkindrom | And we ourselves are watching! |
| Ellorum nadikkindrom | We are all acting, |
| Naamae ellorum paarkkindrom | And we ourselves are watching! |
| Female | |
| Kelviyin naayaganae | O Lord of questions, |
| Indha kelvikku badhil yedhaiyaa | What is the answer to this question, sir? |
| Female | |
| Pasuvidam kandru vandhu | A calf comes to the cow, |
| Paal arundhum | And drinks milk; |
| Kandru paal arundhum podhaa | When the calf drinks milk, is it enough, |
| Kaalai varum | Or does the bull arrive? |
| Female | |
| Pasuvidam kandru vandhu | A calf comes to the cow, |
| Paal arundhum | And drinks milk; |
| Kandru paal arundhum podhaa | When the calf drinks milk, is it enough, |
| Kaalai varum | Or does the bull arrive? |
| Silaradhu vaathiyathil irandu pakkam | In some people's instruments, there are two sides; |
| Female | |
| Silaradhu vaathiyathil | In some people's instruments, |
| Irandu pakkam | There are two sides; |
| Konjam sindhai peraal unakku | If you reflect a little on this, |
| Pirakkum vetkam | You will feel shame born inside you. |
| Thaalikku melum oru thaali undaa | Is there another sacred thread above a sacred thread? |
| Vaelikku innoruvan vaeli undaa | Is there another fence above a fence? |
| Kadhai eppadi…. adhan mudiveppadi…. | How is the story... how is its conclusion... |
| Kadhai eppadi adhan mudiveppadi | How is the story, and how is its conclusion? |
| Female | |
| Kelviyin naayaganae | O Lord of questions, |
| Indha kelvikku badhil yedhaiyaa | What is the answer to this question, sir? |
| Female | |
| Thalaivan thiruchaaloor | The leader has arrived at Thiruchaaloor, |
| Vandhuvittaan mangai | O maiden, |
| Dharuma dharisanathai thedugindraan..aan | He seeks a righteous divine vision... ah... |
| Thedugindraan thedugindraan thedugindraan | He seeks, he seeks, he seeks! |
| Haaan….an | Haaan... ah... |
| Female | |
| Thalaivan thiruchaaloor | The leader has arrived at Thiruchaaloor, |
| Vandhuvittaan mangai | O maiden, |
| Dharuma dharisanathai thedugindraan | He seeks a righteous divine vision; |
| Alamaelu avan mugathai | Will Alamelu look at his face, |
| Kaanbaalo mangai | O maiden? |
| Avadhaara thirumalaikku | Or will she go to incarnation's sacred hill, |
| Selvaalo …selvaalo selvaalo | Will she go... will she go... will she go? |
| Female | |
| Kelviyin naayaganae | O Lord of questions, |
| Indha kelvikku | To this question, |
| Female :Kelviyin naayaganae | Female: O Lord of questions, |
| Indha kelvikku | To this question, |
| Female :Badhil yedhaiyaa | Female: What is the answer, sir? |
| Female | |
| Kelviyin naayaganae | O Lord of questions, |
| Indha kelvikku badhil yedhaiyaa | What is the answer to this question, sir? |
| Female | |
| Oru kannum maru kannum | When one eye and the other eye, |
| Paarthu kondaal | Look at each other, |
| Female :Paarthu kondaal | Female: Look at each other, |
| Female | |
| Oru kannum maru kannum | When one eye and the other eye, |
| Paarthu kondaal | Look at each other, |
| Avai ondrodu ondru sollum | What is the message they tell, |
| Seidhi enna | To one another? |
| Female | |
| Iru kannum ondraaga | If both eyes unite as one, |
| Serndhu vittaal | If both eyes unite as one, |
| Iru kannum ondraaga | In the vision of those two, |
| Serndhu vittaal | What difference remains? |
| Avai irandukkum paarvaiyilae | In the vision of those two, |
| Baedham enna | What difference remains? |
| Avai irandukkum paarvaiyilae | Say that the difference has disappeared, my dear! |
| Baedham enna | Female: Before we walk, |
| Female | |
| Baedham maraindhadhendru | Forgetting our differences, |
| Kooru kannae | Say that the difference has disappeared, my dear! |
| Female :Namadhu baedham dhanai | Female: Before we walk, |
| Marandhu nadakkum munnae | Forgetting our differences, |
| Female | |
| Baedham maraindhadhendru | My dear, what is the story of, |
| Kooru kannae | How your time passed? |
| Female :Namadhu baedham dhanai | Female: I survived only to see you, |
| Marandhu nadakkum munnae | What else? |
| Female | |
| Kannae un kaalam sendra | My dear, what is the story of, |
| Kadhai enna | How your time passed? |
| Female :Unnai kaana pizhaithirundhen | Female: I survived only to see you, |
| Veru enna | What else? |
| Female | |
| Kannae un kaalam sendra | How is the body? |
| Kadhai enna | It remains as one. |
| Female :Unnai kaana pizhaithirundhen | How is the mind? |
| Veru enna | Just as you desire. |
| Female | |
| Udal eppadi | O Lady of questions, |
| Female | |
| Ondril irundhaarpadi | What is the answer to this question, lady? |
| Female | |
| Manam eppadi | Lord Muruga with the spear on Palani hill, |
| Female | |
| Nee virumbum badi | Lord Shiva has yearned for many years, |
| Female | |
| Kelviyin naayagiyae | Come, Muruga! |
| Indha kelvikku badhil yedhammaa | Lord Muruga with the spear on Palani hill, |
| Female | |
| Pazhani malaiyilulla | Lord Shiva has yearned for many years, |
| Vel muruga sivan | Come, Muruga! |
| Pallaandu yengi vittaan | Let go of your stubbornness, |
| Vaa murugaa | O great Muruga! |
| Pazhani maliyilulla | With a little affection, |
| Vel murugaa sivan | Stay nearby, Muruga! |
| Pallaandu yengi vittaan | Let go of your stubbornness, |
| Vaa murugaa | O great Muruga! |
| Female | |
| Pidivaadham thannai vidu | With a little affection, |
| Peru murugaa | Stay nearby, Muruga! |
| Konjam piriyathudan | With a little affection, |
| Pakkathiru murugaa | Stay nearby, Muruga! |
| Female | |
| Pidivaadham thannai vidu | O holy Muruga... O holy Muruga... |
| Peru murugaa | |
| Konjam piriyathudan | |
| Pakkathiru murugaa | |
| Konjam piriyathudan | |
| Pakkathiru murugaa | |
| Thiru murugaa…. thiru murugaa…. | |
கேள்வியின் நாயகனே...ஏ.....
இந்தக் கேள்விக்கு பதில் ஏதய்யா
கேள்வியின் நாயகனே...ஏ.....
இந்தக் கேள்விக்கு பதில் ஏதய்யா
O Lord of questions!
இல்லாத மேடை ஒன்றில்
எழுதாத நாடகத்தை
எல்லோரும் நடிக்கின்றோம்
நாமே எல்லோரும் பார்க்கின்றோம்
எல்லோரும் நடிக்கின்றோம்
நாமே எல்லோரும் பார்க்கின்றோம்
O Lord of questions... ah...
What is the answer to this question, sir?
O Lord of questions... ah...
What is the answer to this question, sir?
On a non-existent stage,
In an unwritten play,
We are all acting,
And we ourselves are watching!
We are all acting,
And we ourselves are watching!
கேள்வியின் நாயகனே
இந்தக் கேள்விக்கு பதில் ஏதய்யா
O Lord of questions,
What is the answer to this question, sir?
பசுவிடம் கன்று வந்து
பால் அருந்தும்
கன்று பால் அருந்தும் போதா
காளை வரும்
சிலரது வாத்தியத்தில் இரண்டு பக்கம்
A calf comes to the cow,
And drinks milk;
When the calf drinks milk, is it enough,
Or does the bull arrive?
சிலரது வாத்தியத்தில் இரண்டு பக்கம்
கொஞ்சம் சிந்தை செய்தால்
உனக்கு பிறக்கும் வெட்கம்
தாலிக்கு மேலும் ஒரு தாலி உண்டா
வேலிக்கு இன்னொருவன் வேலி உண்டா
கதை எப்படி அதன் முடிவெப்படி
கதை எப்படி அதன் முடிவெப்படி
A calf comes to the cow,
And drinks milk;
When the calf drinks milk, is it enough,
Or does the bull arrive?
In some people's instruments, there are two sides;
கேள்வியின் நாயகனே
இந்தக் கேள்விக்கு பதில் ஏதய்யா
In some people's instruments,
There are two sides;
If you reflect a little on this,
You will feel shame born inside you.
Is there another sacred thread above a sacred thread?
Is there another fence above a fence?
How is the story... how is its conclusion...
How is the story, and how is its conclusion?
தலைவன் திருச்சாலூர்
வந்துவிட்டான்
மங்கை தரும தரிசனத்தை தேடுகின்றான்..ஆன்....
தேடுகின்றான் தேடுகின்றான் தேடுகின்றான்
ஹான்......ஆன்
O Lord of questions,
What is the answer to this question, sir?
தலைவன் திருச்சாலூர்
வந்துவிட்டான்
மங்கை தரும தரிசனத்தை தேடுகின்றான்
அலமேலு அவன் முகத்தை
காண்பாளோ
மங்கை அவனோடு திருமலைக்குச்
செல்வாளோ.......
செல்வாளோ செல்வாளோ
The leader has arrived at Thiruchaaloor,
O maiden,
He seeks a righteous divine vision... ah...
He seeks, he seeks, he seeks!
Haaan... ah...
கேள்வியின் நாயகனே
இந்தக் கேள்விக்கு
கேள்வியின் நாயகனே
இந்தக் கேள்விக்கு
பதில் ஏதய்யா
The leader has arrived at Thiruchaaloor,
O maiden,
He seeks a righteous divine vision;
Will Alamelu look at his face,
O maiden?
Or will she go to incarnation's sacred hill,
Will she go... will she go... will she go?
கேள்வியின் நாயகனே
இந்தக் கேள்விக்கு பதில் ஏதய்யா
O Lord of questions,
To this question,
Female: O Lord of questions,
To this question,
Female: What is the answer, sir?
ஒரு கண்ணும் மறு கண்ணும்
பார்த்துக்கொண்டால்
பார்த்துக்கொண்டால்
O Lord of questions,
What is the answer to this question, sir?
ஒரு கண்ணும் மறு கண்ணும்
பார்த்துக்கொண்டால்
அவை ஒன்றோடு ஒன்று சொல்லும்
சேதி என்ன
When one eye and the other eye,
Look at each other,
Female: Look at each other,
இரு கண்ணும் ஒன்றாகச்
சேர்ந்துவிட்டால்
இரு கண்ணும் ஒன்றாகச்
சேர்ந்துவிட்டால்
அவை இரண்டுக்கும் பார்வையிலே
பேதம் என்ன
அவை இரண்டுக்கும் பார்வையிலே
பேதம் என்ன
When one eye and the other eye,
Look at each other,
What is the message they tell,
To one another?
பேதம் மறைந்ததென்று
கூறு கண்ணே
பெண் : நமது பேதம் தனை
மறந்து நடக்கும் முன்னே
If both eyes unite as one,
If both eyes unite as one,
In the vision of those two,
What difference remains?
In the vision of those two,
What difference remains?
Say that the difference has disappeared, my dear!
Female: Before we walk,
பேதம் மறைந்ததென்று
கூறு கண்ணே
நமது பேதம் தனை
மறந்து நடக்கும் முன்னே
Forgetting our differences,
Say that the difference has disappeared, my dear!
Female: Before we walk,
Forgetting our differences,
கண்ணே உன் காலம் சென்ற
கதை என்ன
உன்னைக் காணப் பிழைத்திருந்தேன்
வேறு என்ன
My dear, what is the story of,
How your time passed?
Female: I survived only to see you,
What else?
கண்ணே உன் காலம் சென்ற
கதை என்ன
உன்னைக் காணப் பிழைத்திருந்தேன்
வேறு என்ன
My dear, what is the story of,
How your time passed?
Female: I survived only to see you,
What else?
உடல் எப்படி
How is the body?
It remains as one.
How is the mind?
Just as you desire.
ஒன்றில் இருந்தாற்படி
O Lady of questions,
மனம் எப்படி
What is the answer to this question, lady?
நீ விரும்பும் படி
Lord Muruga with the spear on Palani hill,
கேள்வியின் நாயகியே
இந்தக் கேள்விக்கு பதில் ஏதம்மா
Lord Shiva has yearned for many years,
பெண்கள் :
இல்லாத மேடை ஒன்றில்
எழுதாத நாடகத்தை
எல்லோரும் நடிக்கின்றோம்
நாமே எல்லோரும் பார்க்கின்றோம்
Come, Muruga!
Lord Muruga with the spear on Palani hill,
பழனி மலையிலுள்ள
வேல் முருகா சிவன்
பல்லாண்டு ஏங்கி விட்டான்
வா முருகா
Lord Shiva has yearned for many years,
Come, Muruga!
Let go of your stubbornness,
O great Muruga!
With a little affection,
Stay nearby, Muruga!
Let go of your stubbornness,
O great Muruga!
பழனி மலையிலுள்ள
வேல் முருகா சிவன்
பல்லாண்டு ஏங்கி விட்டான்
வா முருகா
With a little affection,
Stay nearby, Muruga!
With a little affection,
Stay nearby, Muruga!
பிடிவாதம் தன்னை
விடு பெரு முருகா
கொஞ்சம் பிரியத்துடன்
பக்கத் திரு முருகா
O holy Muruga... O holy Muruga...
பிடிவாதம் தன்னை
விடு பெரு முருகா
கொஞ்சம் பிரியத்துடன்
பக்கத் திரு முருகா
கொஞ்சம் பிரியத்துடன்
பக்கத் திரு முருகா
திருமுருகா.......திருமுருகா......
Kelviyin naayaganae
O Lord of questions!
Kelviyin naayaganae…ae…
O Lord of questions... ah...
Indha kelvikku badhil yedhaiyaa
What is the answer to this question, sir?
Kelviyin naayaganae…ae…
O Lord of questions... ah...
Indha kelvikku badhil yedhaiyaa
What is the answer to this question, sir?
Illaadha medai ondril
On a non-existent stage,
Ezhudhaadha naadagathai
In an unwritten play,
Ellorum nadikkindrom
We are all acting,
Naamae ellorum paarkkindrom
And we ourselves are watching!
Ellorum nadikkindrom
We are all acting,
Naamae ellorum paarkkindrom
And we ourselves are watching!
Kelviyin naayaganae
O Lord of questions,
Indha kelvikku badhil yedhaiyaa
What is the answer to this question, sir?
Pasuvidam kandru vandhu
A calf comes to the cow,
Paal arundhum
And drinks milk;
Kandru paal arundhum podhaa
When the calf drinks milk, is it enough,
Kaalai varum
Or does the bull arrive?
Pasuvidam kandru vandhu
A calf comes to the cow,
Paal arundhum
And drinks milk;
Kandru paal arundhum podhaa
When the calf drinks milk, is it enough,
Kaalai varum
Or does the bull arrive?
Silaradhu vaathiyathil irandu pakkam
In some people's instruments, there are two sides;
Silaradhu vaathiyathil
In some people's instruments,
Irandu pakkam
There are two sides;
Konjam sindhai peraal unakku
If you reflect a little on this,
Pirakkum vetkam
You will feel shame born inside you.
Thaalikku melum oru thaali undaa
Is there another sacred thread above a sacred thread?
Vaelikku innoruvan vaeli undaa
Is there another fence above a fence?
Kadhai eppadi…. adhan mudiveppadi….
How is the story... how is its conclusion...
Kadhai eppadi adhan mudiveppadi
How is the story, and how is its conclusion?
Kelviyin naayaganae
O Lord of questions,
Indha kelvikku badhil yedhaiyaa
What is the answer to this question, sir?
Thalaivan thiruchaaloor
The leader has arrived at Thiruchaaloor,
Vandhuvittaan mangai
O maiden,
Dharuma dharisanathai thedugindraan..aan
He seeks a righteous divine vision... ah...
Thedugindraan thedugindraan thedugindraan
He seeks, he seeks, he seeks!
Haaan….an
Haaan... ah...
Thalaivan thiruchaaloor
The leader has arrived at Thiruchaaloor,
Vandhuvittaan mangai
O maiden,
Dharuma dharisanathai thedugindraan
He seeks a righteous divine vision;
Alamaelu avan mugathai
Will Alamelu look at his face,
Kaanbaalo mangai
O maiden?
Avadhaara thirumalaikku
Or will she go to incarnation's sacred hill,
Selvaalo …selvaalo selvaalo
Will she go... will she go... will she go?
Kelviyin naayaganae
O Lord of questions,
Indha kelvikku
To this question,
Female :Kelviyin naayaganae
Female: O Lord of questions,
Indha kelvikku
To this question,
Female :Badhil yedhaiyaa
Female: What is the answer, sir?
Kelviyin naayaganae
O Lord of questions,
Indha kelvikku badhil yedhaiyaa
What is the answer to this question, sir?
Oru kannum maru kannum
When one eye and the other eye,
Paarthu kondaal
Look at each other,
Female :Paarthu kondaal
Female: Look at each other,
Oru kannum maru kannum
When one eye and the other eye,
Paarthu kondaal
Look at each other,
Avai ondrodu ondru sollum
What is the message they tell,
Seidhi enna
To one another?
Iru kannum ondraaga
If both eyes unite as one,
Serndhu vittaal
If both eyes unite as one,
Iru kannum ondraaga
In the vision of those two,
Serndhu vittaal
What difference remains?
Avai irandukkum paarvaiyilae
In the vision of those two,
Baedham enna
What difference remains?
Avai irandukkum paarvaiyilae
Say that the difference has disappeared, my dear!
Baedham enna
Female: Before we walk,
Baedham maraindhadhendru
Forgetting our differences,
Kooru kannae
Say that the difference has disappeared, my dear!
Female :Namadhu baedham dhanai
Female: Before we walk,
Marandhu nadakkum munnae
Forgetting our differences,
Baedham maraindhadhendru
My dear, what is the story of,
Kooru kannae
How your time passed?
Female :Namadhu baedham dhanai
Female: I survived only to see you,
Marandhu nadakkum munnae
What else?
Kannae un kaalam sendra
My dear, what is the story of,
Kadhai enna
How your time passed?
Female :Unnai kaana pizhaithirundhen
Female: I survived only to see you,
Veru enna
What else?
Kannae un kaalam sendra
How is the body?
Kadhai enna
It remains as one.
Female :Unnai kaana pizhaithirundhen
How is the mind?
Veru enna
Just as you desire.
Udal eppadi
O Lady of questions,
Ondril irundhaarpadi
What is the answer to this question, lady?
Manam eppadi
Lord Muruga with the spear on Palani hill,
Nee virumbum badi
Lord Shiva has yearned for many years,
Kelviyin naayagiyae
Come, Muruga!
Indha kelvikku badhil yedhammaa
Lord Muruga with the spear on Palani hill,
Pazhani malaiyilulla
Lord Shiva has yearned for many years,
Vel muruga sivan
Come, Muruga!
Pallaandu yengi vittaan
Let go of your stubbornness,
Vaa murugaa
O great Muruga!
Pazhani maliyilulla
With a little affection,
Vel murugaa sivan
Stay nearby, Muruga!
Pallaandu yengi vittaan
Let go of your stubbornness,
Vaa murugaa
O great Muruga!
Pidivaadham thannai vidu
With a little affection,
Peru murugaa
Stay nearby, Muruga!
Konjam piriyathudan
With a little affection,
Pakkathiru murugaa
Stay nearby, Muruga!
Pidivaadham thannai vidu
O holy Muruga... O holy Muruga...
Peru murugaa
Konjam piriyathudan
Pakkathiru murugaa
Konjam piriyathudan
Pakkathiru murugaa
Thiru murugaa…. thiru murugaa….
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Kelviyin Naayaganae' from the iconic movie Apoorva Raagangal (1975) is a profound philosophical dialogue rendered through Carnatic musical motifs and deep poetic riddles. Written by Kannadasan and tuned by M. S. Viswanathan, the lyrics mirror the movie's non-traditional relationships and societal taboos. The song compares human life and relationships to a drama enacted on an unwritten stage where the actors are also the spectators.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Uvamaani / Metaphor
“Illaadha medai ondril ezhudhaadha naadagathai”
Compares human life to an unwritten play performed on a non-existent stage.
Emona / Rhyme & Alliteration
“Illaadha medai ondril... Ezhudhaadha naadagathai”
Repetition of sound patterns across line beginnings (Illaadha / Ezhudhaadha / Ellorum).
Rhetorical Questioning (Sondha Kelvi)
“Thaalikku melum oru thaali undaa... Vaelikku innoruvan vaeli undaa”
Using provocative queries to challenge societal conventions and moral hypocrisy.
Did you know?
Trivia
Apoorva Raagangal was directed by K. Balachander and marked the debut of Rajinikanth. The song 'Kelviyin Naayaganae' features Carnatic music legend Vani Jairam alongside B. S. Sasirekha. Although the metadata listed the composer as unknown, the soundtrack was famously composed by M. S. Viswanathan, winning Vani Jairam her first National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer.
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