Mannargal Vanagum
From Anbu Thangai · 1974
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- P. Susheela
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Details
- Anbu Thangai1974
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Bharathaththil puththa madham veerundri iruntha kaalam | In the time when Buddhism was deeply rooted in India, |
| Padalipuththiraththil oru aadalarasi | There was a dancing queen in Pataliputra. |
| Angangal thirandiruntha | With voluptuous limbs, |
| Azhagu silai vaasavathaththai | Vasavadatta, a beautiful sculpted beauty, |
| Female | |
| Mannargal vanangum silaiyaanaen | I became a statue worshipped by kings. |
| Ullangal mayangum kalaiyaanaen | I became an art that mesmerizes hearts. |
| Kannazhagil aasai kondu | Desiring the beauty of my eyes, |
| Kattilukku yaekkam kondu | Longing for the bed, |
| Enni enni bodhai kondu | Intoxicated by thinking of me again and again, |
| Female | |
| Mannargal vanangum silaiyaanaen | I became a statue worshipped by kings. |
| Female | |
| Vaayidhazh madhurasaththil aada vaippaen | I will make them dance in the sweet nectar of my lips. |
| Vaarththeduththa kinnangalil ooravaippaen | I will let it soak in finely crafted cups. |
| Maaya sugangalellaam malara vaippaen | I will make all illusory pleasures bloom. |
| Maaya sugangalellaam malara vaippaen | I will make all illusory pleasures bloom. |
| Mattroruththi illaiyendru pesa vaippaen | I will make them speak that there is no other woman like me. |
| Female | |
| Mannargal vanangum silaiyaanaen | I became a statue worshipped by kings. |
| Male | |
| Puththam saranam kachchaami | I take refuge in the Buddha. |
| Sangam saranam kachchaami | I take refuge in the Sangha. |
| Dharmam saranam kachchaami | I take refuge in the Dharma. |
| Female | |
| Avargal mannargal en adimaigal | They, the kings, are my slaves. |
| Ivano azhagaanavan | This man, however, is handsome. |
| Ivanai thedi en kangal pogindrana | My eyes wander in search of him. |
| Thodarnthu en ullamum pogirathu | Following them, my heart also goes. |
| Yaen naanum ponaalenna… | Why shouldn't I go as well? |
| Female | |
| Kaana vaiththana kangal un maeniyai | Did my eyes allow me to behold your body? |
| Kandu kondana vedhaantha nyaaniyai | Did they discover a philosopher-sage? |
| Aada vaiththana anantha penmaiyai | Did they make blissful womanhood dance? |
| Arinthu kondana inbaththin unmaiyai | Did they understand the ultimate truth of pleasure? |
| Male | |
| Kangalin kaatchi poiyyae | The sight of eyes is a lie. |
| Kadhalum poiyyir poiyyae | Kadhal too is a complete lie. |
| Penmaiyin azhagum poiyyae | The beauty of womanhood is a lie. |
| Pesidum mozhiyum poiyyae | The spoken words are a lie. |
| Female | |
| Azhagiya mangai thirumugam kandu | Seeing the divine face of a beautiful maiden, |
| Anbu nirainthoru inbamadainthu | Filled with love, attaining joy, |
| Pazhagiya panjanai paal pazham undu | Enjoying the accustomed bed, milk, and fruit, |
| Paarththa pinnaal varum nyaanamum undu | Wisdom comes after experiencing all this. |
| Azhaikkindraen swaami azhaikkindraen | I call you, oh Lord, I call you. |
| Male | |
| Bogam azhaikindrathu | Pleasure calls! |
| Buddhanukku velaiyilli | There is no work for Buddha here. |
| Mogam azhaikkindrathu | Lust calls! |
| Munivanukku velaiyillai | There is no work for a sage here. |
| Kaalam azhaikkattum kann thiranthu paarkkattum | Let time call, let him open his eyes and see. |
| Varugindraen penmaiyae varugindraen | I am coming, womanhood, I am coming. |
| Male | |
| Aadinaal aval aadinaal | She danced, oh she danced! |
| Kodai vasanthamendrum | Be it summer, spring, |
| Kulirendrum mazhaiyendrum | Cold, or rain, |
| Odiya kaalangal oduvathariyaamal | Unaware of the passing of time, |
| Male | |
| Aadinaal ulamaadinaal udalaadinaal | She danced, her mind danced, her body danced. |
| Thaanaadinaal thallaadinaal | She danced by herself, she stumbled. |
| Female | |
| Ilamai poe vittathu azhagu poe vittathu | Youth is gone, beauty is gone. |
| Yaarennai theduvaar | Who will look for me now? |
| Ini yaarennai theduvaar | Who will seek me hereafter? |
| Male | |
| Puththam saranam kachchaami | I take refuge in the Buddha. |
| Sangam saranam kachchaami | I take refuge in the Sangha. |
| Dharmam saranam kachchaami | I take refuge in the Dharma. |
| Female | |
| Vediththa malar azhaiththapothu | When the blooming flower invited you, |
| Varavillaiyae saami | You did not come, oh Lord. |
| Vizhuntha malar kaanbatharkku vanththaeno | Did you come only to see the fallen flower? |
| Male | |
| Kadhalai poi endraen | I said love was an illusion, |
| Kavanikkavillai neeyae | You did not pay attention. |
| Azhagellaam poi endraenae | I said all beauty was an illusion, |
| Ariyavum illai neeyae | You did not realize it either. |
| Male | |
| Poiyendrum ariyumunnae | Before realizing that it is all an illusion, |
| Bogigal varuvaar thaayae | Pleasure-seekers will come, oh mother. |
| Poiyendru arintha pinthaan | Only after realizing that it is an illusion, |
| Nyaanigal varuvaar thaayae | Sages and enlightened ones will come, oh mother. |
பாரதத்தில் புத்த மதம் வேரூன்றி இருந்த காலம்
பாடலிபுத்திரத்தில் ஒரு ஆடலரசி
அங்கங்கள் திரண்டிருந்த
அழகுச் சிலை வாசவதத்தை
In the time when Buddhism was deeply rooted in India,
There was a dancing queen in Pataliputra.
With voluptuous limbs,
Vasavadatta, a beautiful sculpted beauty,
மன்னர்கள் வணங்கும் சிலையானேன்
உள்ளங்கள் மயங்கும் கலையானேன்
கண்ணழகில் ஆசை கொண்டு
கட்டிலுக்கு ஏக்கம் கொண்டு
எண்ணி எண்ணி போதை கொண்டு
I became a statue worshipped by kings.
I became an art that mesmerizes hearts.
Desiring the beauty of my eyes,
Longing for the bed,
Intoxicated by thinking of me again and again,
மன்னர்கள் வணங்கும் சிலையானேன்
I became a statue worshipped by kings.
வாயிதழ் மதுரசத்தில் ஆட வைப்பேன்
வார்த்தெடுத்த கிண்ணங்களில் ஊறவைப்பேன்
மாயச் சுகங்களெல்லாம் மலர வைப்பேன்
மாயச் சுகங்களெல்லாம் மலர வைப்பேன்
மற்றொருத்தி இல்லையென்று பேச வைப்பேன்
I will make them dance in the sweet nectar of my lips.
I will let it soak in finely crafted cups.
I will make all illusory pleasures bloom.
I will make all illusory pleasures bloom.
I will make them speak that there is no other woman like me.
மன்னர்கள் வணங்கும் சிலையானேன்
I became a statue worshipped by kings.
புத்தம் சரணம் கச்சாமி
சங்கம் சரணம் கச்சாமி
தர்மம் சரணம் கச்சாமி......
I take refuge in the Buddha.
I take refuge in the Sangha.
I take refuge in the Dharma.
அவர்கள் மன்னர்கள் என் அடிமைகள்
இவனோ அழகானவன்
இவனைத் தேடி என் கண்கள் போகின்றன
தொடர்ந்து என் உள்ளமும் போகிறது
ஏன் நானும் போனாலென்ன.....
They, the kings, are my slaves.
This man, however, is handsome.
My eyes wander in search of him.
Following them, my heart also goes.
Why shouldn't I go as well?
காண வைத்தன கண்கள் உன் மேனியை
கண்டு கொண்டன வேதாந்த ஞானியை
ஆட வைத்தன ஆனந்தப் பெண்மையை
அறிந்து கொண்டன இன்பத்தின் உண்மையை
Did my eyes allow me to behold your body?
Did they discover a philosopher-sage?
Did they make blissful womanhood dance?
Did they understand the ultimate truth of pleasure?
கண்களின் காட்சி பொய்யே
காதலும் பொய்யிற் பொய்யே
பெண்மையின் அழகும் பொய்யே
பேசிடும் மொழியும் பொய்யே......
The sight of eyes is a lie.
Kadhal too is a complete lie.
The beauty of womanhood is a lie.
The spoken words are a lie.
அழகிய மங்கை திருமுகம் கண்டு
அன்பு நிறைந்தொரு இன்பமடைந்து
பழகிய பஞ்சணை பால் பழம் உண்டு
பார்த்த பின்னால் வரும் ஞானமும் உண்டு
அழைக்கின்றேன் ஸ்வாமி அழைக்கின்றேன்
Seeing the divine face of a beautiful maiden,
Filled with love, attaining joy,
Enjoying the accustomed bed, milk, and fruit,
Wisdom comes after experiencing all this.
I call you, oh Lord, I call you.
போகம் அழைக்கின்றது
புத்தனுக்கு வேலையில்லை
மோகம் அழைக்கின்றது
முனிவனுக்கு வேலையில்லை
காலம் அழைக்கட்டும் கண் திறந்து பார்க்கட்டும்
வருகின்றேன் பெண்மையே வருகின்றேன்
Pleasure calls!
There is no work for Buddha here.
Lust calls!
There is no work for a sage here.
Let time call, let him open his eyes and see.
I am coming, womanhood, I am coming.
ஆடினாள் அவள் ஆடினாள்
கோடை வசந்தமென்றும்
குளிரென்றும் மழையென்றும்
ஓடிய காலங்கள் ஓடுவதறியாமல்
She danced, oh she danced!
Be it summer, spring,
Cold, or rain,
Unaware of the passing of time,
ஆடினாள் உளமாடினாள் உடலாடினாள்
தானாடினாள் தள்ளாடினாள்
She danced, her mind danced, her body danced.
She danced by herself, she stumbled.
இளமை போய்விட்டது அழகு போய்விட்டது
யாரென்னைத் தேடுவார்
இனி யாரென்னை தேடுவார்
Youth is gone, beauty is gone.
Who will look for me now?
Who will seek me hereafter?
புத்தம் சரணம் கச்சாமி
சங்கம் சரணம் கச்சாமி
தர்மம் சரணம் கச்சாமி......
I take refuge in the Buddha.
I take refuge in the Sangha.
I take refuge in the Dharma.
வெடித்த மலர் அழைத்தபோது
வரவில்லையே ஸ்வாமி
விழுந்த மலர் காண்பதற்கு வந்ததேனோ
When the blooming flower invited you,
You did not come, oh Lord.
Did you come only to see the fallen flower?
காதலைப் பொய் என்றேனே
கவனிக்கவில்லை நீயே
அழகெல்லாம் பொய் என்றேனே
அறியவும் இல்லை நீயே
I said love was an illusion,
You did not pay attention.
I said all beauty was an illusion,
You did not realize it either.
பொய்யென்று அறியுமுன்னே
போகிகள் வருவார் தாயே
பொய்யென்று அறிந்த பின்தான்
ஞானிகள் வருவார் தாயே.....
Before realizing that it is all an illusion,
Pleasure-seekers will come, oh mother.
Only after realizing that it is an illusion,
Sages and enlightened ones will come, oh mother.
புத்தம் சரணம் கச்சாமி
சங்கம் சரணம் கச்சாமி
தர்மம் சரணம் கச்சாமி.....
Bharathaththil puththa madham veerundri iruntha kaalam
In the time when Buddhism was deeply rooted in India,
Padalipuththiraththil oru aadalarasi
There was a dancing queen in Pataliputra.
Angangal thirandiruntha
With voluptuous limbs,
Azhagu silai vaasavathaththai
Vasavadatta, a beautiful sculpted beauty,
Mannargal vanangum silaiyaanaen
I became a statue worshipped by kings.
Ullangal mayangum kalaiyaanaen
I became an art that mesmerizes hearts.
Kannazhagil aasai kondu
Desiring the beauty of my eyes,
Kattilukku yaekkam kondu
Longing for the bed,
Enni enni bodhai kondu
Intoxicated by thinking of me again and again,
Mannargal vanangum silaiyaanaen
I became a statue worshipped by kings.
Vaayidhazh madhurasaththil aada vaippaen
I will make them dance in the sweet nectar of my lips.
Vaarththeduththa kinnangalil ooravaippaen
I will let it soak in finely crafted cups.
Maaya sugangalellaam malara vaippaen
I will make all illusory pleasures bloom.
Maaya sugangalellaam malara vaippaen
I will make all illusory pleasures bloom.
Mattroruththi illaiyendru pesa vaippaen
I will make them speak that there is no other woman like me.
Mannargal vanangum silaiyaanaen
I became a statue worshipped by kings.
Puththam saranam kachchaami
I take refuge in the Buddha.
Sangam saranam kachchaami
I take refuge in the Sangha.
Dharmam saranam kachchaami
I take refuge in the Dharma.
Avargal mannargal en adimaigal
They, the kings, are my slaves.
Ivano azhagaanavan
This man, however, is handsome.
Ivanai thedi en kangal pogindrana
My eyes wander in search of him.
Thodarnthu en ullamum pogirathu
Following them, my heart also goes.
Yaen naanum ponaalenna…
Why shouldn't I go as well?
Kaana vaiththana kangal un maeniyai
Did my eyes allow me to behold your body?
Kandu kondana vedhaantha nyaaniyai
Did they discover a philosopher-sage?
Aada vaiththana anantha penmaiyai
Did they make blissful womanhood dance?
Arinthu kondana inbaththin unmaiyai
Did they understand the ultimate truth of pleasure?
Kangalin kaatchi poiyyae
The sight of eyes is a lie.
Kadhalum poiyyir poiyyae
Kadhal too is a complete lie.
Penmaiyin azhagum poiyyae
The beauty of womanhood is a lie.
Pesidum mozhiyum poiyyae
The spoken words are a lie.
Azhagiya mangai thirumugam kandu
Seeing the divine face of a beautiful maiden,
Anbu nirainthoru inbamadainthu
Filled with love, attaining joy,
Pazhagiya panjanai paal pazham undu
Enjoying the accustomed bed, milk, and fruit,
Paarththa pinnaal varum nyaanamum undu
Wisdom comes after experiencing all this.
Azhaikkindraen swaami azhaikkindraen
I call you, oh Lord, I call you.
Bogam azhaikindrathu
Pleasure calls!
Buddhanukku velaiyilli
There is no work for Buddha here.
Mogam azhaikkindrathu
Lust calls!
Munivanukku velaiyillai
There is no work for a sage here.
Kaalam azhaikkattum kann thiranthu paarkkattum
Let time call, let him open his eyes and see.
Varugindraen penmaiyae varugindraen
I am coming, womanhood, I am coming.
Aadinaal aval aadinaal
She danced, oh she danced!
Kodai vasanthamendrum
Be it summer, spring,
Kulirendrum mazhaiyendrum
Cold, or rain,
Odiya kaalangal oduvathariyaamal
Unaware of the passing of time,
Aadinaal ulamaadinaal udalaadinaal
She danced, her mind danced, her body danced.
Thaanaadinaal thallaadinaal
She danced by herself, she stumbled.
Ilamai poe vittathu azhagu poe vittathu
Youth is gone, beauty is gone.
Yaarennai theduvaar
Who will look for me now?
Ini yaarennai theduvaar
Who will seek me hereafter?
Puththam saranam kachchaami
I take refuge in the Buddha.
Sangam saranam kachchaami
I take refuge in the Sangha.
Dharmam saranam kachchaami
I take refuge in the Dharma.
Vediththa malar azhaiththapothu
When the blooming flower invited you,
Varavillaiyae saami
You did not come, oh Lord.
Vizhuntha malar kaanbatharkku vanththaeno
Did you come only to see the fallen flower?
Kadhalai poi endraen
I said love was an illusion,
Kavanikkavillai neeyae
You did not pay attention.
Azhagellaam poi endraenae
I said all beauty was an illusion,
Ariyavum illai neeyae
You did not realize it either.
Poiyendrum ariyumunnae
Before realizing that it is all an illusion,
Bogigal varuvaar thaayae
Pleasure-seekers will come, oh mother.
Poiyendru arintha pinthaan
Only after realizing that it is an illusion,
Nyaanigal varuvaar thaayae
Sages and enlightened ones will come, oh mother.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This dance drama song portrays the Buddhist legend of Vasavadatta, a legendary courtesan of Mathura/Pataliputra, and Upagupta, a Buddhist monk. In her youth and prime, Vasavadatta is sought after by kings and wealthy men. Intoxicated by her own beauty and worldly pleasures, she attempts to entice the monk Upagupta, who politely declines, stating that he will visit her when the right time comes. She continues her life of sensory indulgence until time ravages her beauty, youth fades, and she is abandoned by society and discarded as a withered flower. In her moment of suffering and physical decay, Upagupta returns to offer her spiritual solace and guidance, demonstrating the impermanence of worldly desires (Anicca) and leading her toward enlightenment and refuge in the Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Contrast / Antithesis
“Vediththa malar azhaiththapothu / Varavillaiyae saami / Vizhuntha malar kaanbatharkku vanththaeno kalaiyae amarntheno saami (Lines 56-58 construction pattern & idea contrast between blooming vs fallen flower). Syntax: Vediththa malar vs Vizhuntha malar.”
Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Vaayidhazh madhurasaththil aada vaippaen / Vaarththeduththa kinnangalil ooravaippaen”
Edugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Kaana vaiththana / Kandu kondana / Aada vaiththana / Arinthu kondana”
Anaphora (Repetition of Refrain)
“Puththam saranam kachchaami / Sangam saranam kachchaami / Dharmam saranam kachchaami”
Did you know?
Trivia
This track features a famous classical dance-drama segment based on the Indian Buddhist legend of Upagupta and Vasavadatta (popularized in modern literature by Kumaran Asan's Malayalam poem 'Karuna' and Rabindranath Tagore's poem 'Abhisar'). Kannadasan masterfully summarizes Buddhist philosophy on impermanence and desire through poetic Tamil verses scored brilliantly by K. V. Mahadevan.
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