Margazhi Thingal Allava
From Sangamam · 1999
- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singers
- P. Unnikrishnan, Madhumitha
- Music director
- A. R. Rahman
- Details
- Sangamam1999
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Margazhi thingal | In the month of Margazhi, |
| Madhi niraindha nannaalaal | on this auspicious full moon day, |
| Neeraada podhuveer | all of you who wish to take a holy bath, |
| Podhumino nerizhaiyer | come along, o well-adorned young maidens! |
| Female | |
| Seermalgum | O prosperous and rich |
| Aaypaadi selva chirumeerkaal | young maidens of the cowherd village Gokulam, |
| Koorvel kodunthozhilan | He who wields a sharp spear to protect, |
| Nandhagopan kumaran | the beloved son of King Nandagopa, |
| Yeraandha kanni | and the young lion cub of Mother Yasodha |
| Yasodhai ilanjingam | who has striking and beautiful eyes— |
| Female | |
| { Margazhi | { Is it not the month of Margazhi, |
| Thingalallavaa madhi | is it not the full moon, |
| Konjum naalallavaa idhu | is this not the day that caresses us with joy, |
| Kannan varum pozhudhallavaa | is this not the time when Lord Krishna arrives? |
| Female | |
| Orumurai | If I could, just once, |
| Unadhu thirumugam | behold your divine face, |
| Paarthaal vidai | my soul would gladly take leave |
| perum uyirallavaa } (2) | and depart this life, would it not? } (2) |
| Female | |
| Orumurai | If I could, just once, |
| Unadhu thirumugam | behold your divine face, |
| Paarthaal vidai | my soul would gladly take leave |
| perum uyirallavaa | and depart this life, would it not? |
| Female | |
| Varuvaai thalaivaa | Come, my beloved lord! |
| Vaazhvae verum kanavaa | Is this life merely an empty dream? |
| Female | |
| Margazhi | Is it not the month of Margazhi, |
| Thingalallavaa madhi | is it not the full moon, |
| Konjum naalallavaa idhu | is this not the day that caresses us with joy, |
| Kannan varum pozhudhallavaa | is this not the time when Lord Krishna arrives? |
| Female | |
| Idhayam idhayam | My heart, my heart |
| Erigindradhae irangiya | is burning on fire, but the falling |
| Kanneer anaikindradhae | tears extinguish it. |
| Female | |
| Ullankaiyil | Like water held in the palm |
| Ozhugum neerpol | that leaks away, |
| Ennuyirum karaivadhenna | why is my life melting away? |
| Female | |
| Iruvarum oru | Will both of us see each other |
| Murai kaanbomaa illai | at least once, or |
| Nee matum ennudal kaanbaayaa | will you only look upon my lifeless body? |
| Female | |
| Kalaiyendra | In the sacred light |
| Jothiyil kaadhalai eripadhu | called Art, to burn Love— |
| Sariya pizhaiyaa vidai nee sollaiyaa | is it right or wrong? Won't you tell me the answer? |
| Female | |
| Margazhi | Is it not the month of Margazhi, |
| Thingalallavaa madhi | is it not the full moon, |
| Konjum naalallavaa idhu | is this not the day that caresses us with joy, |
| Kannan varum pozhudhallavaa | is this not the time when Lord Krishna arrives? |
| Female | |
| { Orumurai | { If I could, just once, |
| Unadhu thirumugam | behold your divine face, |
| Paarthaal vidai perum uyirallavaa } (2) | my soul would willingly depart, would it not? } (2) |
| Female | |
| Varuvaai thalaivaa | Come, my beloved lord! |
| Vaazhvae verum kanavaa | Is this life merely an empty dream? |
| Male | |
| ………………………. | ... |
| Male | |
| Soodi thandha | O bright vine-like maiden (Andal) who offered the garland |
| Sudarkodiyae sogathai | after wearing it herself, put an end |
| Niruthividu | to this sorrow! |
| Male | |
| Naalai varum | Nurture the hope |
| Maalaiyendru nambikai | that tomorrow will bring the union garland, |
| Valarthuvidu nambikai valarthuvidu | nurture that hope, nurture that hope! |
| Male | |
| Nam kaadhal | Our love |
| Jothi kalaiyum jothi | is a flame, and art is a flame too; |
| Kalaimagal magalae vaa vaa | o daughter of Goddess Saraswati, come, come! |
| Male | |
| Aaaa kaadhal | Ah, love |
| Jothi kalaiyum jothi aaaa | is a flame, art is a flame, ah... |
| { Jothi eppadi jothiyai erikum } (2) vaa…. | { How can one flame burn down another flame? } (2) Come... |
| Female | |
| Margazhi | Is it not the month of Margazhi, |
| Thingalallavaa madhi | is it not the full moon, |
| Konjum naalallavaa idhu | is this not the day that caresses us with joy, |
| Kannan varum pozhudhallavaa | is this not the time when Lord Krishna arrives? |
| Female | |
| ……………………………….. | ... |
மாா்கழித் திங்கள்
மதி நிறைந்த நந்நாளால்
நீராடப் போதுவீா்
போதுமினோ நோிழையீா்
In the month of Margazhi,
on this auspicious full moon day,
all of you who wish to take a holy bath,
come along, o well-adorned young maidens!
சீா்மல்கும் ஆயப்பாடி
செல்வச் சிறுமீா்காள் கூா்வேல்
கொடுந்தொழிலன் நந்தகோபன்
குமரன் ஏராந்த கன்னி யசோதை
இளஞ்சிங்கம்
O prosperous and rich
young maidens of the cowherd village Gokulam,
He who wields a sharp spear to protect,
the beloved son of King Nandagopa,
and the young lion cub of Mother Yasodha
who has striking and beautiful eyes—
{ மாா்கழித் திங்களல்லவா
மதிகொஞ்சும் நாளல்லவா இது
கண்ணன் வரும் பொழுதல்லவா
{ Is it not the month of Margazhi,
is it not the full moon,
is this not the day that caresses us with joy,
is this not the time when Lord Krishna arrives?
ஒருமுறை உனது
திருமுகம் பாா்த்தால் விடை
பெறும் உயிரல்லவா } (2)
If I could, just once,
behold your divine face,
my soul would gladly take leave
and depart this life, would it not? } (2)
ஒருமுறை உனது
திருமுகம் பாா்த்தால் விடை
பெறும் உயிரல்லவா
If I could, just once,
behold your divine face,
my soul would gladly take leave
and depart this life, would it not?
வருவாய் தலைவா
வாழ்வே வெறும் கனவா
Come, my beloved lord!
Is this life merely an empty dream?
மாா்கழித் திங்களல்லவா
மதிகொஞ்சும் நாளல்லவா இது
கண்ணன் வரும் பொழுதல்லவா
Is it not the month of Margazhi,
is it not the full moon,
is this not the day that caresses us with joy,
is this not the time when Lord Krishna arrives?
இதயம் இதயம்
எாிகின்றதே இறங்கிய
கண்ணீா் அணைக்கின்றதே
My heart, my heart
is burning on fire, but the falling
tears extinguish it.
உள்ளங்கையில்
ஒழுகும் நீா்போல் என்னுயிரும்
கரைவதென்ன
Like water held in the palm
that leaks away,
why is my life melting away?
இருவரும் ஒரு
முறை காண்போமா இல்லை
நீ மட்டும் என்னுடல் காண்பாயா
Will both of us see each other
at least once, or
will you only look upon my lifeless body?
கலையென்ற
ஜோதியில் காதலை
எாிப்பது சாியா பிழையா
விடை நீ சொல்லய்யா
In the sacred light
called Art, to burn Love—
is it right or wrong? Won't you tell me the answer?
மாா்கழித் திங்களல்லவா
மதிகொஞ்சும் நாளல்லவா இது
கண்ணன் வரும் பொழுதல்லவா
Is it not the month of Margazhi,
is it not the full moon,
is this not the day that caresses us with joy,
is this not the time when Lord Krishna arrives?
{ ஒருமுறை உனது
திருமுகம் பாா்த்தால் விடை
பெறும் உயிரல்லவா } (2)
{ If I could, just once,
behold your divine face,
my soul would willingly depart, would it not? } (2)
வருவாய் தலைவா
வாழ்வே வெறும் கனவா
Come, my beloved lord!
Is this life merely an empty dream?
...........................
...
சூடித் தந்த
சுடா்கொடியே
சோகத்தை நிறுத்திவிடு
O bright vine-like maiden (Andal) who offered the garland
after wearing it herself, put an end
to this sorrow!
நாளை வரும்
மாலையென்று நம்பிக்கை
வளா்த்துவிடு நம்பிக்கை வளா்த்துவிடு
Nurture the hope
that tomorrow will bring the union garland,
nurture that hope, nurture that hope!
நம் காதல் ஜோதி
கலையும் ஜோதி கலைமகள்
மகளே வா வா
Our love
is a flame, and art is a flame too;
o daughter of Goddess Saraswati, come, come!
ஆஆஆ
காதல் ஜோதி
கலையும் ஜோதி
ஆஆஆ...
{ ஜோதி எப்படி
ஜோதியை எாிக்கும் } (2) வா...
Ah, love
is a flame, art is a flame, ah...
{ How can one flame burn down another flame? } (2) Come...
மாா்கழித் திங்களல்லவா
மதிகொஞ்சும் நாளல்லவா இது
கண்ணன் வரும் பொழுதல்லவா
Is it not the month of Margazhi,
is it not the full moon,
is this not the day that caresses us with joy,
is this not the time when Lord Krishna arrives?
பெண் குழு :
{ மாா்கழித் திங்களல்லவா
மதிகொஞ்சும் நாளல்லவா இது
கண்ணன் வரும் பொழுதல்லவா } (2)
...
....................................
Margazhi thingal
In the month of Margazhi,
Madhi niraindha nannaalaal
on this auspicious full moon day,
Neeraada podhuveer
all of you who wish to take a holy bath,
Podhumino nerizhaiyer
come along, o well-adorned young maidens!
Seermalgum
O prosperous and rich
Aaypaadi selva chirumeerkaal
young maidens of the cowherd village Gokulam,
Koorvel kodunthozhilan
He who wields a sharp spear to protect,
Nandhagopan kumaran
the beloved son of King Nandagopa,
Yeraandha kanni
and the young lion cub of Mother Yasodha
Yasodhai ilanjingam
who has striking and beautiful eyes—
{ Margazhi
{ Is it not the month of Margazhi,
Thingalallavaa madhi
is it not the full moon,
Konjum naalallavaa idhu
is this not the day that caresses us with joy,
Kannan varum pozhudhallavaa
is this not the time when Lord Krishna arrives?
Orumurai
If I could, just once,
Unadhu thirumugam
behold your divine face,
Paarthaal vidai
my soul would gladly take leave
perum uyirallavaa } (2)
and depart this life, would it not? } (2)
Orumurai
If I could, just once,
Unadhu thirumugam
behold your divine face,
Paarthaal vidai
my soul would gladly take leave
perum uyirallavaa
and depart this life, would it not?
Varuvaai thalaivaa
Come, my beloved lord!
Vaazhvae verum kanavaa
Is this life merely an empty dream?
Margazhi
Is it not the month of Margazhi,
Thingalallavaa madhi
is it not the full moon,
Konjum naalallavaa idhu
is this not the day that caresses us with joy,
Kannan varum pozhudhallavaa
is this not the time when Lord Krishna arrives?
Idhayam idhayam
My heart, my heart
Erigindradhae irangiya
is burning on fire, but the falling
Kanneer anaikindradhae
tears extinguish it.
Ullankaiyil
Like water held in the palm
Ozhugum neerpol
that leaks away,
Ennuyirum karaivadhenna
why is my life melting away?
Iruvarum oru
Will both of us see each other
Murai kaanbomaa illai
at least once, or
Nee matum ennudal kaanbaayaa
will you only look upon my lifeless body?
Kalaiyendra
In the sacred light
Jothiyil kaadhalai eripadhu
called Art, to burn Love—
Sariya pizhaiyaa vidai nee sollaiyaa
is it right or wrong? Won't you tell me the answer?
Margazhi
Is it not the month of Margazhi,
Thingalallavaa madhi
is it not the full moon,
Konjum naalallavaa idhu
is this not the day that caresses us with joy,
Kannan varum pozhudhallavaa
is this not the time when Lord Krishna arrives?
{ Orumurai
{ If I could, just once,
Unadhu thirumugam
behold your divine face,
Paarthaal vidai perum uyirallavaa } (2)
my soul would willingly depart, would it not? } (2)
Varuvaai thalaivaa
Come, my beloved lord!
Vaazhvae verum kanavaa
Is this life merely an empty dream?
……………………….
...
Soodi thandha
O bright vine-like maiden (Andal) who offered the garland
Sudarkodiyae sogathai
after wearing it herself, put an end
Niruthividu
to this sorrow!
Naalai varum
Nurture the hope
Maalaiyendru nambikai
that tomorrow will bring the union garland,
Valarthuvidu nambikai valarthuvidu
nurture that hope, nurture that hope!
Nam kaadhal
Our love
Jothi kalaiyum jothi
is a flame, and art is a flame too;
Kalaimagal magalae vaa vaa
o daughter of Goddess Saraswati, come, come!
Aaaa kaadhal
Ah, love
Jothi kalaiyum jothi aaaa
is a flame, art is a flame, ah...
{ Jothi eppadi jothiyai erikum } (2) vaa….
{ How can one flame burn down another flame? } (2) Come...
Margazhi
Is it not the month of Margazhi,
Thingalallavaa madhi
is it not the full moon,
Konjum naalallavaa idhu
is this not the day that caresses us with joy,
Kannan varum pozhudhallavaa
is this not the time when Lord Krishna arrives?
………………………………..
...
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song beautifully blends the sacred 9th-century Bhakti poetry of Andal's 'Thiruppavai' with modern cinematic romantic angst from the film Sangamam (1999). It begins with the traditional invocation calling maidens to worship Lord Krishna during the holy month of Margazhi, symbolizing pure devotion and spiritual yearning. As the song transitions into the main composition, the spiritual longing transforms into an intense emotional plea of a woman longing for her lover. She reflects on the conflict between art and love, questioning how art (a divine flame) could consume or destroy love (another divine flame). Devastated by separation, she yearns for a single final glance of her beloved before her life slips away like water from an open palm.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Literary Allusion (Thiruppavai Adaptation)
“Margazhi thingal / Madhi niraindha nannaalaal”
The opening lines are a direct recitation of the famous first verse of Andal's Thiruppavai ('Margazhi Thingal Madhi Niraindha...').
Simile (Upamai)
“Ullankaiyil / Ozhugum neerpol / Ennuyirum karaivadhenna”
Life slipping away is compared to water leaking from a cupped palm ('Ullankaiyil ozhugum neerpol').
Metaphor (Uruvagamm)
“Jothi eppadi jothiyai erikum”
Love and Art are both conceptualized as divine lights or flames ('Jothi'), culminating in the poetic philosophical question of how one light can burn another.
Anaphora / Rhetorical Questioning
“Thingalallavaa madhi / Konjum naalallavaa idhu / Kannan varum pozhudhallavaa”
Repeated use of the suffix '-allavaa' (Is it not?) creates a rhythmic, persuasive tone asking if this auspicious time is not meant for Krishna's arrival.
Did you know?
Trivia
The track is from the 1999 film 'Sangamam', directed by Suresh Krissna, featuring music composed by A.R. Rahman with lyrics written by Vairamuthu (adapting ancient Thiruppavai verses). Sung by S. Janaki and P. Unnikrishnan, the soundtrack won A.R. Rahman the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Music Director.
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