Kurudana Kavignanukku
From Nenjil Oru Ragam · 1982
- Lyricist
- T. Rajendar
- Singers
- T. M. Soundararajan, B. S. Sasirekha
- Music director
- T. Rajendar
- Details
- Nenjil Oru Ragam1982
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Kurudaana kavinganukku oothaappoo enna | To a blind poet, what difference does a purple flower make, |
| Rosaappoo enna | Or a rose flower make? |
| Sevidaana rasikanukku kalyaani enna | To a deaf connoisseur, what difference does Kalyani raga make, |
| Kaambodhi enna | Or Kaambodhi raga make? |
| Male | |
| Poo manakkaathu kuzhal manakkaathu | Flowers will no longer smell sweet, nor will the flute play music, |
| Uyir irukkaathu udal thedum kaadu | Life will not remain, and the body will seek the graveyard. |
| Poo manakkaathu kuzhal manakkaathu | Flowers will no longer smell sweet, nor will the flute play music, |
| Uyir irukkaathu udal thedum kaadu | Life will not remain, and the body will seek the graveyard. |
| Female | |
| Kalyaanaththil thaali katta | To tie the sacred thread in marriage, |
| Naathaswaram melamittaal | While the Nadaswaram plays the percussion, |
| Innaalilae nee pogiraai | On this very day, you are departing, |
| En thaaliyaivo nee ketkkiraai | Are you asking for my sacred marital thread instead? |
| Female | |
| Naan pottu vaippaen poova vaippaen aiyaa | I would wear vermilion and flowers, sir, |
| Antha paakkiamthaan pari poguthaiyaa | That fortune itself is being snatched away, sir. |
| Pattu selaiyai vaangi thanthaaiaiyaa | You bought and gave me a silk saree, sir, |
| Pattu naan pogavae vella selaiaiayaa | Is it a white saree now as I pass away? |
| Male | |
| Katttililae udan iruppaal | She will lie with you on the bed, |
| Kattai saainthidavae kadhariduvaal | When the body dies, she will weep loudly. |
| Kaattinilae vettum kuzhiyil | In the pit dug inside the forest/graveyard, |
| Kalimannai vittaal yaariruppaar | Once clay is thrown over, who will remain with you? |
| Male | |
| Pachchayilam mattaiyilae | On fresh green wooden stalks, |
| Meththai onnu podayilae | When a bed is laid out for the bier, |
| Pachchaikiliyo vittu pirivaal | The green parrot of life will depart, |
| Sikki thavippaal | Trapped and suffering in pain. |
| Pantham paasam ellaam andrae vilagum | All bonds and affection will dissolve on that very day. |
| Male | |
| Kurudaana kavinganukku oothaappoo enna | To a blind poet, what difference does a purple flower make, |
| Rosaappoo enna | Or a rose flower make? |
| Sevidaana rasikanukku kalyaani enna | To a deaf connoisseur, what difference does Kalyani raga make, |
| Kaambodhi enna | Or Kaambodhi raga make? |
| Female | |
| Uyir irunthaal perai solvaar | As long as life remains, they will call you by name, |
| Adhu paranthaal pinamthaan enpaar | Once it flies away, they will call you a corpse. |
| Neram kadanthaal maarum enpaar | As time passes, they say things change, |
| Intha nilaiyae vaazhkkai enpaar | They say this transient state is what life is. |
| Male | |
| Moongililae muththu pallaakku | A pearl palanquin made of bamboo, |
| Agil erikkaiyil soththu edharkku | When fragrant wood burns the body, of what use is wealth? |
| Kolliyittaal vegum elumbu | When lit with the funeral torch, bones will burn, |
| Adhu kondu sella enna irukku | What is there left to carry along with you? |
| Male | |
| Oorvalaththai nadaththida | To lead the funeral procession, |
| Oor janangal nadanthida | As the townspeople walk along, |
| Oorvalaththai nadaththida | To lead the funeral procession, |
| Oor janangal nadanthida | As the townspeople walk along, |
| Male | |
| Paarththu rasikka paadaiyilae avanirukka | While he rests on the funeral bier unable to watch and enjoy, |
| Yaar yaar pinnae vanthaar endravanaa arivaan | Will he know who followed behind him? |
| Male | |
| Kurudaana kavinganukku oothaappoo enna | To a blind poet, what difference does a purple flower make, |
| Rosaappoo enna | Or a rose flower make? |
| Sevidaana rasikanukku kalyaani enna | To a deaf connoisseur, what difference does Kalyani raga make, |
| Kaambodhi enna | Or Kaambodhi raga make? |
| Male | |
| Poo manakkaathu kuzhal manakkaathu | Flowers will no longer smell sweet, nor will the flute play music, |
| Uyir irukkaathu udal thedum kaadu | Life will not remain, and the body will seek the graveyard. |
| Poo manakkaathu kuzhal manakkaathu | Flowers will no longer smell sweet, nor will the flute play music, |
| Uyir irukkaathu udal thedum kaadu | Life will not remain, and the body will seek the graveyard. |
குருடான கவிஞனுக்கு ஊதாப்பூ என்ன
ரோசாப்பூ என்ன
செவிடான ரசிகனுக்கு கல்யாணி என்ன
காம்போதி என்ன
To a blind poet, what difference does a purple flower make,
Or a rose flower make?
To a deaf connoisseur, what difference does Kalyani raga make,
Or Kaambodhi raga make?
பூ மணக்காது குழல் மணக்காது
உயிர் இருக்காது உடல் தேடும் காடு..
பூ மணக்காது குழல் மணக்காது
உயிர் இருக்காது உடல் தேடும் காடு..
Flowers will no longer smell sweet, nor will the flute play music,
Life will not remain, and the body will seek the graveyard.
Flowers will no longer smell sweet, nor will the flute play music,
Life will not remain, and the body will seek the graveyard.
கல்யாணத்தில் தாலிக் கட்ட
நாதஸ்வரம் மேளமிட்டால்
இந்நாளிலே நீ போகிறாய்
என் தாலியைவோ நீ கேட்கிறாய்
To tie the sacred thread in marriage,
While the Nadaswaram plays the percussion,
On this very day, you are departing,
Are you asking for my sacred marital thread instead?
நான் பொட்டு வைப்பேன் பூவ வைப்பேன் ஐயா
அந்த பாக்கியம்தான் பறிப்போகுதய்யா
பட்டுச் சேலையை வாங்கி தந்தாயய்யா
பட்டு நான் போகவே வெள்ள சேலையய்யா
I would wear vermilion and flowers, sir,
That fortune itself is being snatched away, sir.
You bought and gave me a silk saree, sir,
Is it a white saree now as I pass away?
கட்டிலிலே உடன் இருப்பாள்
கட்டை சாய்ந்திடவே கதறிடுவாள்
காட்டினிலே வெட்டும் குழியில்
களிமண்ணை விட்டால் யாரிருப்பார்
She will lie with you on the bed,
When the body dies, she will weep loudly.
In the pit dug inside the forest/graveyard,
Once clay is thrown over, who will remain with you?
பச்சயிளம் மட்டையிலே
மெத்தை ஒன்னு போடயிலே
பச்சைக்கிளியோ விட்டுப் பிரிவாள்
சிக்கித் தவிப்பாள்
பந்தம் பாசம் எல்லாம் அன்றே விலகும்
On fresh green wooden stalks,
When a bed is laid out for the bier,
The green parrot of life will depart,
Trapped and suffering in pain.
All bonds and affection will dissolve on that very day.
குருடான கவிஞனுக்கு ஊதாப்பூ என்ன
ரோசாப்பூ என்ன
செவிடான ரசிகனுக்கு கல்யாணி என்ன
காம்போதி என்ன
To a blind poet, what difference does a purple flower make,
Or a rose flower make?
To a deaf connoisseur, what difference does Kalyani raga make,
Or Kaambodhi raga make?
உயிர் இருந்தால் பேரை சொல்வார்
அது பறந்தால் பிணம்தான் என்பார்
நேரம் கடந்தால் மாறும் என்பார்
இந்த நிலையே வாழ்க்கை என்பார்
As long as life remains, they will call you by name,
Once it flies away, they will call you a corpse.
As time passes, they say things change,
They say this transient state is what life is.
மூங்கிலிலே முத்துப் பல்லக்கு
அகில் எறிக்கையில் சொத்து எதற்க்கு
கொள்ளியிட்டால் வேகும் எலும்பு
அது கொண்டு செல்ல என்ன இருக்கு
A pearl palanquin made of bamboo,
When fragrant wood burns the body, of what use is wealth?
When lit with the funeral torch, bones will burn,
What is there left to carry along with you?
ஊர்வலத்தை நடத்திட
ஊர் ஜனங்கள் நடந்திட
ஊர்வலத்தை நடத்திட
ஊர் ஜனங்கள் நடந்திட
To lead the funeral procession,
As the townspeople walk along,
To lead the funeral procession,
As the townspeople walk along,
பார்த்து ரசிக்க.....பாடையிலே அவனிருக்க
யார் யார் பின்னே வந்தார் என்றவனா அறிவான்
While he rests on the funeral bier unable to watch and enjoy,
Will he know who followed behind him?
குருடான கவிஞனுக்கு ஊதாப்பூ என்ன
ரோசாப்பூ என்ன
செவிடான ரசிகனுக்கு கல்யாணி என்ன
காம்போதி என்ன
To a blind poet, what difference does a purple flower make,
Or a rose flower make?
To a deaf connoisseur, what difference does Kalyani raga make,
Or Kaambodhi raga make?
பூ மணக்காது குழல் மணக்காது
உயிர் இருக்காது உடல் தேடும் காடு..
பூ மணக்காது குழல் மணக்காது
உயிர் இருக்காது உடல் தேடும் காடு..
Flowers will no longer smell sweet, nor will the flute play music,
Life will not remain, and the body will seek the graveyard.
Flowers will no longer smell sweet, nor will the flute play music,
Life will not remain, and the body will seek the graveyard.
Kurudaana kavinganukku oothaappoo enna
To a blind poet, what difference does a purple flower make,
Rosaappoo enna
Or a rose flower make?
Sevidaana rasikanukku kalyaani enna
To a deaf connoisseur, what difference does Kalyani raga make,
Kaambodhi enna
Or Kaambodhi raga make?
Poo manakkaathu kuzhal manakkaathu
Flowers will no longer smell sweet, nor will the flute play music,
Uyir irukkaathu udal thedum kaadu
Life will not remain, and the body will seek the graveyard.
Poo manakkaathu kuzhal manakkaathu
Flowers will no longer smell sweet, nor will the flute play music,
Uyir irukkaathu udal thedum kaadu
Life will not remain, and the body will seek the graveyard.
Kalyaanaththil thaali katta
To tie the sacred thread in marriage,
Naathaswaram melamittaal
While the Nadaswaram plays the percussion,
Innaalilae nee pogiraai
On this very day, you are departing,
En thaaliyaivo nee ketkkiraai
Are you asking for my sacred marital thread instead?
Naan pottu vaippaen poova vaippaen aiyaa
I would wear vermilion and flowers, sir,
Antha paakkiamthaan pari poguthaiyaa
That fortune itself is being snatched away, sir.
Pattu selaiyai vaangi thanthaaiaiyaa
You bought and gave me a silk saree, sir,
Pattu naan pogavae vella selaiaiayaa
Is it a white saree now as I pass away?
Katttililae udan iruppaal
She will lie with you on the bed,
Kattai saainthidavae kadhariduvaal
When the body dies, she will weep loudly.
Kaattinilae vettum kuzhiyil
In the pit dug inside the forest/graveyard,
Kalimannai vittaal yaariruppaar
Once clay is thrown over, who will remain with you?
Pachchayilam mattaiyilae
On fresh green wooden stalks,
Meththai onnu podayilae
When a bed is laid out for the bier,
Pachchaikiliyo vittu pirivaal
The green parrot of life will depart,
Sikki thavippaal
Trapped and suffering in pain.
Pantham paasam ellaam andrae vilagum
All bonds and affection will dissolve on that very day.
Kurudaana kavinganukku oothaappoo enna
To a blind poet, what difference does a purple flower make,
Rosaappoo enna
Or a rose flower make?
Sevidaana rasikanukku kalyaani enna
To a deaf connoisseur, what difference does Kalyani raga make,
Kaambodhi enna
Or Kaambodhi raga make?
Uyir irunthaal perai solvaar
As long as life remains, they will call you by name,
Adhu paranthaal pinamthaan enpaar
Once it flies away, they will call you a corpse.
Neram kadanthaal maarum enpaar
As time passes, they say things change,
Intha nilaiyae vaazhkkai enpaar
They say this transient state is what life is.
Moongililae muththu pallaakku
A pearl palanquin made of bamboo,
Agil erikkaiyil soththu edharkku
When fragrant wood burns the body, of what use is wealth?
Kolliyittaal vegum elumbu
When lit with the funeral torch, bones will burn,
Adhu kondu sella enna irukku
What is there left to carry along with you?
Oorvalaththai nadaththida
To lead the funeral procession,
Oor janangal nadanthida
As the townspeople walk along,
Oorvalaththai nadaththida
To lead the funeral procession,
Oor janangal nadanthida
As the townspeople walk along,
Paarththu rasikka paadaiyilae avanirukka
While he rests on the funeral bier unable to watch and enjoy,
Yaar yaar pinnae vanthaar endravanaa arivaan
Will he know who followed behind him?
Kurudaana kavinganukku oothaappoo enna
To a blind poet, what difference does a purple flower make,
Rosaappoo enna
Or a rose flower make?
Sevidaana rasikanukku kalyaani enna
To a deaf connoisseur, what difference does Kalyani raga make,
Kaambodhi enna
Or Kaambodhi raga make?
Poo manakkaathu kuzhal manakkaathu
Flowers will no longer smell sweet, nor will the flute play music,
Uyir irukkaathu udal thedum kaadu
Life will not remain, and the body will seek the graveyard.
Poo manakkaathu kuzhal manakkaathu
Flowers will no longer smell sweet, nor will the flute play music,
Uyir irukkaathu udal thedum kaadu
Life will not remain, and the body will seek the graveyard.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This poignant philosophical song from 'Nenjil Oru Ragam' reflects on impermanence, death, and the ultimate futility of earthly worldly desires, attachments, and material possessions. Using metaphors like a blind poet unable to appreciate flowers or a deaf listener unable to enjoy classical Carnatic ragas (Kalyani and Kaambodhi), the song highlights how physical senses and social status become completely meaningless once life leaves the human body. The female verse highlights tragic grief over lost marital bliss, while the male verse expands on the universal truth of mortality—how a named individual becomes just a 'corpse' upon death, how wealth cannot be carried into the grave, and how funeral processions matter little to the deceased.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uvamaani)
“Kurudaana kavinganukku oothaappoo enna...”
Comparing sensory deprivation (blind poet, deaf listener) to the inability of a deceased soul or unappreciative person to experience life's pleasures.
Emoni / Rhyme (Monai)
“Katttililae udan iruppaal / Kattai saainthidavae kadhariduvaal”
Alliteration across consecutive lines or words (e.g., 'Katttililae', 'Kattai', 'Kaattinilae', 'Kalimannai').
Contrast / Antithesis
“Pattu selaiyai vaangi thanthaaiaiyaa / Pattu naan pogavae vella selaiaiayaa”
Contrasting the vibrant silk saree given for marriage with the white saree associated with mourning/death.
Rhetorical Question
“Agil erikkaiyil soththu edharkku”
Asking rhetorical questions to emphasize the ultimate worthlessness of material wealth upon death.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Nenjil Oru Ragam' (1982) was written, composed, and directed by T. Rajendar, who is celebrated for his unique rhythmic lyricism, philosophical themes, and frequent usage of mono-rhyme and couplet-style songwriting in 1980s Tamil cinema.
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