Kovil Deivam Nee
From Ninaivugal · 1984
- Lyricist
- Mu. Metha
- Singers
- P. Susheela, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Music director
- Shankar Ganesh
- Details
- Ninaivugal1984
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Kovil dheivam nee thendral nee | You are the temple deity, you are the cool breeze |
| Paasam pongum roobam paarvai manjal dheepam | A form overflowing with affection, a gaze like a sacred yellow lamp |
| Kovil dheivam nee thendral nee | You are the temple deity, you are the cool breeze |
| Paasam pongum roobam paarvai manjal dheepam | A form overflowing with affection, a gaze like a sacred yellow lamp |
| Anbenum kaaviyam paadidum oviyam | A singing painting that is an epic poem of love |
| Paasam pongum roobam paarvai manjal dheepam | A form overflowing with affection, a gaze like a sacred yellow lamp |
| Female | |
| Kovil dheivam nee thendral nee | You are the temple deity, you are the cool breeze |
| Paasam pongum roobam paarvai manjal dheepam | A form overflowing with affection, a gaze like a sacred yellow lamp |
| Female | |
| Kogulam en manam kannanae un vasam | My mind is Gokulam, oh Krishna, it is completely yours |
| Naalum naan paadum sangeetham un moganam | The music I sing every day is your sweet Mohanam raga |
| Kaalaiyum maalaiyum ovvoru velaiyum | Morning and evening, at every single moment |
| Kaaval kondaadum thaai nenjil un nyapagam | Your memory is kept safe within the protective motherly heart |
| Ullamaum jeevanum unnidam sangamam | My heart and soul merge into you |
| Paasam pongum roobam paarvai manjal dheepam | A form overflowing with affection, a gaze like a sacred yellow lamp |
| Female | |
| Gangai neer vellamae mangayena selvamae | O flood of Ganges water, O treasure of womanhood |
| Kannil thaen paaya nindraadum poonthottamae | O dancing flower garden that streams honey into the eyes |
| Aayiram jenmamum annaiyaai thondruvaen | I will be born as a mother even for a thousand births |
| Unnai thaalaatti seeraatti uyir vaazhuvaen | I will live my life cradling and nurturing you |
| Tholilum maarbilum naalellaam thaanguven | I will carry you on my shoulders and chest all day long |
| Paasam pongum roobam paarvai manjal dheepam | A form overflowing with affection, a gaze like a sacred yellow lamp |
| Female | |
| Kovil dheivam nee thendral nee | You are the temple deity, you are the cool breeze |
| Paasam pongum roobam paarvai manjal dheepam | A form overflowing with affection, a gaze like a sacred yellow lamp |
| Male | |
| Anniyae annaiyaai enninaen allavo | Sister-in-law, did I not consider you as my own mother? |
| Anbin avathaaram neeyendru naan sollavo | Shall I say that you are the very embodiment of love? |
| Vaazhvatho un nizhal valarvathi un madi | My life is in your shadow, my growth is on your lap |
| Intha ver vaazha neer vaarththa vaan megamae | O sky cloud that poured water so this plant root could live |
| Annai nee sonna sol pillaiyena manthiram | Mother, the word you spoke is like a sacred mantra to this child |
| Female | |
| Kovil dheivam nee thendral nee | You are the temple deity, you are the cool breeze |
| Paasam pongum roobam paarvai manjal dheepam | A form overflowing with affection, a gaze like a sacred yellow lamp |
| Anbenum kaaviyam paadidum oviyam | A singing painting that is an epic poem of love |
| Paasam pongum roobam paarvai manjal dheepam | A form overflowing with affection, a gaze like a sacred yellow lamp |
கோவில் தெய்வம் நீ தென்றல் நீ
பாசம் பொங்கும் ரூபம் பார்வை மஞ்சள் தீபம்
கோவில் தெய்வம் நீ தென்றல் நீ
பாசம் பொங்கும் ரூபம் பார்வை மஞ்சள் தீபம்
அன்பெனும் காவியம் பாடிடும் ஓவியம்
பாசம் பொங்கும் ரூபம் பார்வை மஞ்சள் தீபம்
You are the temple deity, you are the cool breeze
A form overflowing with affection, a gaze like a sacred yellow lamp
You are the temple deity, you are the cool breeze
A form overflowing with affection, a gaze like a sacred yellow lamp
A singing painting that is an epic poem of love
A form overflowing with affection, a gaze like a sacred yellow lamp
கோவில் தெய்வம் நீ தென்றல் நீ...
பாசம் பொங்கும் ரூபம் பார்வை மஞ்சள் தீபம்
You are the temple deity, you are the cool breeze
A form overflowing with affection, a gaze like a sacred yellow lamp
கோகுலம் என் மனம் கண்ணனே உன் வசம்
நாளும் நான் பாடும் சங்கீதம் உன் மோகனம்
காலையும் மாலையும் ஒவ்வொரு வேளையும்
காவல் கொண்டாடும் தாய் நெஞ்சில் உன் ஞாபகம்
உள்ளமும் ஜீவனும் உன்னிடம் சங்கமம்
பாசம் பொங்கும் ரூபம் பார்வை மஞ்சள் தீபம்
My mind is Gokulam, oh Krishna, it is completely yours
The music I sing every day is your sweet Mohanam raga
Morning and evening, at every single moment
Your memory is kept safe within the protective motherly heart
My heart and soul merge into you
A form overflowing with affection, a gaze like a sacred yellow lamp
கங்கை நீர் வெள்ளமே மங்கையென் செல்வமே
கண்ணில் தேன் பாய நின்றாடும் பூந்தோட்டமே
ஆயிரம் ஜென்மமும் அன்னையாய் தோன்றுவேன்
உன்னை தாலாட்டி சீராட்டி உயிர் வாழுவேன்
தோளிலும் மார்பிலும் நாளெல்லாம் தாங்குவேன்
பாசம் பொங்கும் ரூபம் பார்வை மஞ்சள் தீபம்...
O flood of Ganges water, O treasure of womanhood
O dancing flower garden that streams honey into the eyes
I will be born as a mother even for a thousand births
I will live my life cradling and nurturing you
I will carry you on my shoulders and chest all day long
A form overflowing with affection, a gaze like a sacred yellow lamp
கோவில் தெய்வம் நீ தென்றல் நீ...
பாசம் பொங்கும் ரூபம் பார்வை மஞ்சள் தீபம்
You are the temple deity, you are the cool breeze
A form overflowing with affection, a gaze like a sacred yellow lamp
அண்ணியே அன்னையாய் எண்ணினேன் அல்லவோ
அன்பின் அவதாரம் நீயென்று நான் சொல்லவோ
வாழ்வதோ உன் நிழல் வளர்வதோ உன் மடி
இந்த வேர் வாழ நீர் வார்த்த வான் மேகமே
அன்னை நீ சொன்ன சொல் பிள்ளையென் மந்திரம்
Sister-in-law, did I not consider you as my own mother?
Shall I say that you are the very embodiment of love?
My life is in your shadow, my growth is on your lap
O sky cloud that poured water so this plant root could live
Mother, the word you spoke is like a sacred mantra to this child
கோவில் தெய்வம் நீ தென்றல் நீ
பாசம் பொங்கும் ரூபம் பார்வை மஞ்சள் தீபம்
அன்பெனும் காவியம் பாடிடும் ஓவியம்
பாசம் பொங்கும் ரூபம் பார்வை மஞ்சள் தீபம்
You are the temple deity, you are the cool breeze
A form overflowing with affection, a gaze like a sacred yellow lamp
A singing painting that is an epic poem of love
A form overflowing with affection, a gaze like a sacred yellow lamp
Kovil dheivam nee thendral nee
You are the temple deity, you are the cool breeze
Paasam pongum roobam paarvai manjal dheepam
A form overflowing with affection, a gaze like a sacred yellow lamp
Kovil dheivam nee thendral nee
You are the temple deity, you are the cool breeze
Paasam pongum roobam paarvai manjal dheepam
A form overflowing with affection, a gaze like a sacred yellow lamp
Anbenum kaaviyam paadidum oviyam
A singing painting that is an epic poem of love
Paasam pongum roobam paarvai manjal dheepam
A form overflowing with affection, a gaze like a sacred yellow lamp
Kovil dheivam nee thendral nee
You are the temple deity, you are the cool breeze
Paasam pongum roobam paarvai manjal dheepam
A form overflowing with affection, a gaze like a sacred yellow lamp
Kogulam en manam kannanae un vasam
My mind is Gokulam, oh Krishna, it is completely yours
Naalum naan paadum sangeetham un moganam
The music I sing every day is your sweet Mohanam raga
Kaalaiyum maalaiyum ovvoru velaiyum
Morning and evening, at every single moment
Kaaval kondaadum thaai nenjil un nyapagam
Your memory is kept safe within the protective motherly heart
Ullamaum jeevanum unnidam sangamam
My heart and soul merge into you
Paasam pongum roobam paarvai manjal dheepam
A form overflowing with affection, a gaze like a sacred yellow lamp
Gangai neer vellamae mangayena selvamae
O flood of Ganges water, O treasure of womanhood
Kannil thaen paaya nindraadum poonthottamae
O dancing flower garden that streams honey into the eyes
Aayiram jenmamum annaiyaai thondruvaen
I will be born as a mother even for a thousand births
Unnai thaalaatti seeraatti uyir vaazhuvaen
I will live my life cradling and nurturing you
Tholilum maarbilum naalellaam thaanguven
I will carry you on my shoulders and chest all day long
Paasam pongum roobam paarvai manjal dheepam
A form overflowing with affection, a gaze like a sacred yellow lamp
Kovil dheivam nee thendral nee
You are the temple deity, you are the cool breeze
Paasam pongum roobam paarvai manjal dheepam
A form overflowing with affection, a gaze like a sacred yellow lamp
Anniyae annaiyaai enninaen allavo
Sister-in-law, did I not consider you as my own mother?
Anbin avathaaram neeyendru naan sollavo
Shall I say that you are the very embodiment of love?
Vaazhvatho un nizhal valarvathi un madi
My life is in your shadow, my growth is on your lap
Intha ver vaazha neer vaarththa vaan megamae
O sky cloud that poured water so this plant root could live
Annai nee sonna sol pillaiyena manthiram
Mother, the word you spoke is like a sacred mantra to this child
Kovil dheivam nee thendral nee
You are the temple deity, you are the cool breeze
Paasam pongum roobam paarvai manjal dheepam
A form overflowing with affection, a gaze like a sacred yellow lamp
Anbenum kaaviyam paadidum oviyam
A singing painting that is an epic poem of love
Paasam pongum roobam paarvai manjal dheepam
A form overflowing with affection, a gaze like a sacred yellow lamp
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Ninaivugal' is a poignant composition expressing deep respect, maternal affection, and emotional bonding. It portrays a maternal figure (or sister-in-law revered as a mother) as a sacred deity, a gentle breeze, and a life-giving rain cloud. The lyrics reflect endless gratitude, highlighting how her love nurtures the family across lifetimes.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Kovil dheivam nee thendral nee”
Compares the beloved maternal figure directly to a temple deity ('Kovil dheivam') and a soothing breeze ('thendral').
Moni / Initial Alliteration
“Paasam pongum roobam paarvai manjal dheepam”
Repetition of the initial consonant sound 'P' across the line for rhythmic cadence ('Paasam', 'paarvai').
Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navortchi)
“Aayiram jenmamum annaiyaai thondruvaen”
Exaggerates devotion through the concept of taking a thousand births ('Aayiram jenmamum') to remain a mother.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by the popular duo Shankar-Ganesh, 'Ninaivugal' (1984) features lyrics by the renowned Tamil poet Mu. Metha. Metha's signature style blends rich classical imagery with simple modern Tamil metaphors, seamlessly brought to life by the legendary vocals of P. Susheela and S. P. Balasubrahmanyam.
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