Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Konjum Salangai Oli

From Konjum Salangai · 1962

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Leelaa
Music director
S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
Details
Konjum Salangai1962

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
…………………….
Female
Konjum sathangai oli kettuHearing the sound of the charming anklets,
Konjum sathangai oli kettuHearing the sound of the charming anklets,
Female
Konjum sathangai oli kettuHearing the sound of the charming anklets,
Nenjil ponguthammaa pudhiya paattuA new song springs forth in the heart!
Aa….aa….aa….aaa….aa….Aa....aa....aa....aaa....aa....
Ponguthamma pudhiya paattu….A new song springs forth!...
Ponguthamma pudhiya paattu….A new song springs forth!...
Female
Konjum sathangai oli kettuHearing the sound of the charming anklets,
Female
Kaaviya paavalar kaviyae isaiyoIs this music the poetry of grand epic poets?
Kaaviya paavalar kaviyae isaiyoIs this music the poetry of grand epic poets?
Kalaiyaal nilai perum yaazho….oo…Is it the ancient harp (yaazh) elevated through art?...
Female
Kaaviya paavalar kaviyae isaiyoIs this music the poetry of grand epic poets?
Kalaiyaal nilai perum yaazho….oo…Is it the ancient harp (yaazh) elevated through art?...
Paavaiyar aadidum parathamum idhuvoIs this the divine Bharatanatyam danced by graceful maidens?
Paavaiyar aadidum parathamum idhuvoIs this the divine Bharatanatyam danced by graceful maidens?
Maname manam peravaeFor the mind to attain sublime bliss,
Suvai mevum naadham isaiMusic is a sweet and delicious sound.
Female
Konjum sathangai oli kettuHearing the sound of the charming anklets,
Nenjil ponguthammaa pudhiya paattuA new song springs forth in the heart!
Konjum sathangai oli kettuHearing the sound of the charming anklets,
Female
Singaara kai kuzhungiAs beautiful hands gently sway,
Valaiyodu vilaiyaadaPlaying together with the bangles,
Konjum sathangai oli kettuHearing the sound of the charming anklets,
Male
…………………..
Female
Saelaadum vizhiyodumWith eyes that dart like fish,
Jegam yaavum uravaadaForming bonds of kinship with the whole world,
Konjum sathangai oli kettuHearing the sound of the charming anklets,
Male
…………….
Female
Mangaatha ezhil aadaWith unfading grace in motion,
Manamaada mozhiyaadaWith the mind dancing and language dancing,
Konjum sathangai oli kettuHearing the sound of the charming anklets,
Male
…………….
Female
Singaara kai kuzhungiAs beautiful hands gently sway,
Valaiyodu vilaiyaadaPlaying together with the bangles,
Saelaadum vizhiyodumWith eyes that dart like fish,
Jegam yaavum uravaadaForming bonds of kinship with the whole world,
Mangaatha ezhil aadaWith unfading grace in motion,
Manamaada mozhiyaadaWith the mind dancing and language dancing,
Thannthom thanthomTo the beat of 'Thannthom Thanthom',
Endru jadhiyodu malaraadaBlossoming in harmony with the rhythmic steps,
Konjum sathangai oli kettuHearing the sound of the charming anklets,
Nenjil ponguthammaa pudhiya paattuA new song springs forth in the heart!
Konjum sathangai oli kettuHearing the sound of the charming anklets.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic song celebrates the artistic transcendence and joyful ecstasy brought by classical dance and music. The sweet, rhythmic chiming of a dancer's anklets (salangai) serves as an aesthetic trigger that inspires a surge of fresh poetry and melody in the listener's heart. Kannadasan's lyrics ponder whether this divine art is the epic creation of great poets, the sweet tone of the traditional yaazh, or the sublime grace of Bharatanatyam performed by maiden dancers. As the dance unfolds, every movement—the swaying hands, tinkling bangles, darting eyes, and rhythmic footwork—connects the individual soul to universal harmony. The composition emphasizes how rhythm and music elevate human emotions, causing the heart, language, and the world itself to dance together in unfading beauty.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

vilaiyaada / uravaada / mozhiyaada / malaraada

The repetition of the suffix '-aada' across multiple line endings creates a fluid, rhythmic cadence mirroring dance movements.

Uvamai (Simile / Metaphor)

Saelaadum vizhiyodum

The phrase 'Saelaadum vizhi' compares the quick, graceful movement of a dancer's eyes to the swimming motion of 'Sael' (carp fish).

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Singaara kai kuzhungi / Mangaatha ezhil aada

The second consonant sound matches across adjacent lines, enhancing Tamil poetic prosody.

Anaphora / Repetition

Konjum sathangai oli kettu

The refrain 'Konjum sathangai oli kettu' is strategically repeated throughout the song to anchor the theme of anklet rhythms driving artistic creation.

Did you know?

Trivia

Released in 1962, 'Konjum Salangai' is historically significant as the first Tamil film to be fully shot in Technicolor in India (and processed abroad). Composed by S. M. Subbaiah Naidu and sung by P. Susheela, the movie is renowned for its rich classical music and dance highlights, including a famous musical duel featuring the Nadaswaram played by maestro Karukurichi Arunachalam.

Keep listening

More from Konjum Salangai