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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kurai Ondrum Illai

From Pudhiya Payanam · 2009

Lyricist
Lyricist Not Known
Singer
Goa Subha
Music director
Prasad Ganesh
Details
Pudhiya Payanam2009

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kurai ondrum illaiI have no grievances at all,
Maraimoorthi kannaaOh Krishna, embodiment of the sacred Vedas!
Kurai ondrum illai kannaaI have no grievances, Krishna,
Kurai ondrum illai govindaaI have no grievances, Govinda!
Female
Kannukku theriyaamalInvisible to the physical eyes,
Nirkkindraai kannaaYou stand before me, Krishna.
Kannukku theriyaamalInvisible to my eyes,
Nindraaluum enakkuEven though you stand unseen, to me,
Kurai ondrum illai maraimoorthi kannaaI have no grievances, Oh Krishna, embodiment of the Vedas.
Female
Vaendiyadhai thandhidaTo grant whatever one prays for,
Venkatesan endrirukkaWhen Venkatesa Himself is present,
Vaendiyadhu vaerillaiI have no other desires,
Maraimoorthi kannaaOh Krishna, embodiment of the Vedas!
Manivannaa malaiappaa govindaa govindaaOh gem-hued Lord of the Hills, Govinda, Govinda!
Female
Thiraiyin pin nirkindraai kannaaYou stand hidden behind a veil, Krishna,
KannaaKrishna,
Thiraiyin pin nirkindraai kannaaYou stand hidden behind a veil, Krishna.
Unnai marai odhum gnyaaniyarOnly the wise sages who chant the Vedas
Mattumae kaanbaarMay behold You,
Thiraiyin pin nirkindraai kannaaYou stand hidden behind a veil, Krishna,
Unnai marai odhum gnyaaniyarOnly the wise sages who chant the Vedas
Mattumae kaanbaar endraalumMay behold You; even so,
Kurai ondrum enakkillai kannaaI have no grievance at all, Krishna.
Endraalum kurai ondrum enakkillaiEven so, I have no grievance at all,
Kannaa…Krishna...
Female
Kundrin mael kallaagiHaving manifested as stone atop the hill,
Nirkkindra varadhaaOh Varadha who stands there,
Kundrin mael kallaagiHaving manifested as stone atop the hill,
Nirkkindra varadhaaOh Varadha who stands there,
Kurai ondrum illaiI have no grievance,
Maraimoorthi kannaaOh Krishna, embodiment of the Vedas.
Kurai ondrum illaiI have no grievance,
Marai moorthi kannaaOh Krishna, embodiment of the Vedas.
Manivannaa malaiyappaaOh gem-hued Lord of the Hills,
Govindha govindhaGovinda, Govinda!
Female
Kalinaanukkirangi kallilae irangiTaking pity on the people of Kali Yuga, descending into stone,
Nilaiyaaga koyilil nirkindraai kesavaYou stand permanently inside the temple, Oh Kesava!
Kalinaanukkirangi kallilae irangiTaking pity on the people of Kali Yuga, descending into stone,
Nilaiyaaga koyilil nirkindraai kesavaYou stand permanently inside the temple, Oh Kesava!
Kurai ondrum illai marai moorthi kannaaI have no grievance, Oh Krishna, embodiment of the Vedas.
Female
Yaadhum marukkaadha malaiyappaaOh Lord of the Hills who denies nothing,
Yaadhum marukkaadha malaiyappaaOh Lord of the Hills who denies nothing,
Un maarbil aedhum thara nirkkumUpon Your chest resides She who bestows all,
Karunai kadalannaiThe Mother who is an ocean of mercy.
Endrum irundhida edhu kurai enakkuWhen She is forever present there, what grievance could I possibly have?
Endrum irundhida edhu kurai enakkuWhen She is forever present there, what grievance could I possibly have?
Ondrum kurai illaiI have no grievance at all,
Maraimoorthi kannaaOh Krishna, embodiment of the Vedas.
Ondrum kurai illaiI have no grievance at all,
Maraimoorthi kannaaOh Krishna, embodiment of the Vedas.
Manivannaa malaiyappaaOh gem-hued Lord of the Hills,
Govindaa govindaaGovinda, Govinda!
Govindaa govindaaGovinda, Govinda!
Govindaa govindaaGovinda, Govinda!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a sublime devotional hymn expressing total contentment, surrender, and unshakeable faith in Lord Venkateswara (Krishna/Govinda). The devotee declares that despite not being able to physically see the Lord or comprehend Him through complex Vedic scholarship like the ancient sages, they hold no grievances because the Lord's presence and grace are universally accessible in His idol form (Archa Avatara) on Tirumala hill.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Refrain / Anaphora

Kurai ondrum illai

The phrase 'Kurai ondrum illai' (I have no grievances) is repeatedly used throughout the song to anchor the theme of complete spiritual satisfaction.

Alliteration (Edugai / Monai)

Kalinaanukkirangi kallilae irangi

Repetition of consonant and vowel sounds 'ka' and 'la' across 'Kalinaanukkirangi kallilae irangi' creates a rhythmic, musical flow.

Metaphor

Karunai kadalannai

Goddess Lakshmi is metaphorically described as 'Karunai kadalannai' (the mother who is an ocean of mercy).

Did you know?

Trivia

'Kurai Ondrum Illai' is one of the most famous Tamil devotional songs composed by Bharat Ratna C. Rajagopalachari (Rajaji). It was immortalized by the legendary Carnatic vocalist M.S. Subbulakshmi, set to a ragamalika (Sivaranjani, Kafi, and Sindhubhairavi).

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