Naadanthai Vaali Kaveri
From Agathiyar · 1972
- Lyricist
- K. D. Santhanam
- Singer
- Sirkazhi Govindarajan
- Music director
- Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan
- Details
- Agathiyar1972
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Nadandhaai vaazhi kaavaeri | You walked, long live River Kaveri! |
| Male | |
| Nadandhaai vaazhi kaavaeri | You walked, long live River Kaveri! |
| Naadengumae sezhikka nanmai ellaam sirakka | So that the entire land flourishes and all goodness excels, |
| Naadengumae sezhikka nanmai ellaam sirakka | So that the entire land flourishes and all goodness excels, |
| Nadandhaai vaazhi kaavaeri | You walked, long live River Kaveri! |
| Male | |
| Adarndha malai thodaril avadharithaai aa aa | You were born in the dense mountain ranges, ah ah! |
| Aa…aa…aa…aa….aa…aa….aa..aa..ai | Ah... ah... ah... ah... ah... ah... ah.. ah.. ai |
| Adarndha malai thodaril avadharithaai | You were born in the dense mountain ranges, |
| Indha azhagu thamizh nilathai alangarithaai aa aa aai | You adorned this beautiful Tamil land, ah ah ai! |
| Adarndha malai thodaril avadharithaai | You were born in the dense mountain ranges, |
| Indha azhagu thamizh nilathai alangarithaai | You adorned this beautiful Tamil land, |
| Nadandha un vazhi ellaam nalam alithaai | You bestowed prosperity along every path you walked, |
| Nadandha un vazhi yellaam nalam alithaai | You bestowed prosperity along every path you walked, |
| Male | |
| Nangaiyar unai vanangavum malargal | As women worship you, and flowers |
| Konjum solaigal nerungavum | In caressing groves draw near, |
| Nangaiyar unai vanangavum malargal | As women worship you, and flowers |
| Konjum solaigal nerungavum | In caressing groves draw near, |
| Inba yaazhisai muzhangavum | As joyful harp music resounds, |
| Seviyil senthamizh thaen vazhangavum | Offering sweet Tamil nectar to the ears, |
| Inba yaazhisai muzhangavum | As joyful harp music resounds, |
| Seviyil senthamizh thaen vazhangavum | Offering sweet Tamil nectar to the ears, |
| Asaindhu valaindhu nelindhu thodarndhu | Swaying, curving, twisting, and continuing on, |
| Alai kadal enumoru manamagan thunai peravae | To reach your groom, the wavy ocean, as a companion, |
| Male | |
| Nadandhaai vaazhi kaavaeri | You walked, long live River Kaveri! |
| Naadengumae sezhikka nanmai ellaam sirakka | So that the entire land flourishes and all goodness excels, |
| Nadandhaai vaazhi kaavaeri | You walked, long live River Kaveri! |
| Male | |
| Nadandhaai vaazhi kaavaeri | You walked, long live River Kaveri! |
| Nadandhaai vaazhi kaavaeri | You walked, long live River Kaveri! |
| Naadengumae sezhikka nanmai ellaam sirakka | So that the entire land flourishes and all goodness excels, |
| Naadengumae sezhikka nanmai ellaam sirakka | So that the entire land flourishes and all goodness excels, |
| Nadandhaai vaazhi kaavaeri | You walked, long live River Kaveri! |
| Male | |
| Unavalikkum uzhavarkkellaam kannaaga panbu | As the very eye to the farmers who provide food, as the virtuous |
| Uyarndha thamizh naattin sella pennaaga | Beloved daughter of the noble Tamil nation, |
| Unavalikkum uzhavarkkellaam kannaaga panbu | As the very eye to the farmers who provide food, as the virtuous |
| Uyarndha thamizh naattin sella pennaaga | Beloved daughter of the noble Tamil nation, |
| Pulavarellaam paaraattum ponnaaga | As pure gold praised by all poets, |
| Pulavarellaam paaraattum ponnaaga anbu | As pure gold praised by all poets, overflowed with love, |
| Pongi varum kaaviriyae vaazhiyavae | Oh overflowing River Kaveri, may you long live! |
| Pongi varum kaaviriyae vaazhiyavae | Oh overflowing River Kaveri, may you long live! |
| Male | |
| Nadandhaai vaazhi kaavaeri | You walked, long live River Kaveri! |
| Naadengumae sezhikka nanmai ellaam sirakka | So that the entire land flourishes and all goodness excels, |
| Naadengumae sezhikka nanmai ellaam sirakka | So that the entire land flourishes and all goodness excels, |
| Nadandhaai vaazhi kaavaeri | You walked, long live River Kaveri! |
நடந்தாய் வாழி காவேரி
You walked, long live River Kaveri!
நடந்தாய் வாழி காவேரி
நாடெங்குமே செழிக்க நன்மையெல்லாம் சிறக்க
நாடெங்குமே செழிக்க நன்மையெல்லாம் சிறக்க
நடந்தாய் வாழி காவேரி
You walked, long live River Kaveri!
So that the entire land flourishes and all goodness excels,
So that the entire land flourishes and all goodness excels,
You walked, long live River Kaveri!
அடர்ந்த மலைத்தொடரில் அவதரித்தாய் ஆ ஆ
ஆ.....ஆ.....ஆ.....ஆ.....ஆ......ஆ......ஆ......ஆ......ஆ.....ஆ.....
அடர்ந்த மலைத்தொடரில் அவதரித்தாய்
இந்த அழகுத் தமிழ் நிலத்தை அலங்கரித்தாய் ஆ ஆ ஆய்
அடர்ந்த மலைத்தொடரில் அவதரித்தாய்
இந்த அழகுத் தமிழ் நிலத்தை அலங்கரித்தாய்
நடந்த உன் வழியெல்லாம் நலமளித்தாய்
நடந்த உன் வழியெல்லாம் நலமளித்தாய்
You were born in the dense mountain ranges, ah ah!
Ah... ah... ah... ah... ah... ah... ah.. ah.. ai
You were born in the dense mountain ranges,
You adorned this beautiful Tamil land, ah ah ai!
You were born in the dense mountain ranges,
You adorned this beautiful Tamil land,
You bestowed prosperity along every path you walked,
You bestowed prosperity along every path you walked,
நங்கையர் உனை வணங்கவும் மலர்கள்
கொஞ்சும் சோலைகள் நெருங்கவும்
நங்கையர் உனை வணங்கவும் மலர்கள்
கொஞ்சும் சோலைகள் நெருங்கவும்
இன்ப யாழிசை முழங்கவும்
செவியில் செந்தமிழ்த் தேன் வழங்கவும்
இன்ப யாழிசை முழங்கவும்
செவியில் செந்தமிழ்த் தேன் வழங்கவும்
அசைந்து வளைந்து நெளிந்து தொடர்ந்து
அலைகடலெனுமொரு மணமகன் துணை பெறவே
As women worship you, and flowers
In caressing groves draw near,
As women worship you, and flowers
In caressing groves draw near,
As joyful harp music resounds,
Offering sweet Tamil nectar to the ears,
As joyful harp music resounds,
Offering sweet Tamil nectar to the ears,
Swaying, curving, twisting, and continuing on,
To reach your groom, the wavy ocean, as a companion,
நடந்தாய் வாழி காவேரி
நாடெங்குமே செழிக்க நன்மையெல்லாம் சிறக்க
நடந்தாய் வாழி காவேரி
You walked, long live River Kaveri!
So that the entire land flourishes and all goodness excels,
You walked, long live River Kaveri!
நடந்தாய் வாழி காவேரி
நடந்தாய் வாழி காவேரி
நாடெங்குமே செழிக்க நன்மையெல்லாம் சிறக்க
நாடெங்குமே செழிக்க நன்மையெல்லாம் சிறக்க
நடந்தாய் வாழி காவேரி
You walked, long live River Kaveri!
You walked, long live River Kaveri!
So that the entire land flourishes and all goodness excels,
So that the entire land flourishes and all goodness excels,
You walked, long live River Kaveri!
உணவளிக்கும் உழவர்க்கெல்லாம் கண்ணாக பண்பு
உயர்ந்த தமிழ் நாட்டின் செல்லப் பெண்ணாக
உணவளிக்கும் உழவர்க்கெல்லாம் கண்ணாக பண்பு
உயர்ந்த தமிழ் நாட்டின் செல்லப் பெண்ணாக
புலவரெல்லாம் பாராட்டும் பொன்னாக
புலவரெல்லாம் பாராட்டும் பொன்னாக அன்பு
பொங்கிவரும் காவிரியே வாழியாவே
பொங்கிவரும் காவிரியே வாழியாவே
As the very eye to the farmers who provide food, as the virtuous
Beloved daughter of the noble Tamil nation,
As the very eye to the farmers who provide food, as the virtuous
Beloved daughter of the noble Tamil nation,
As pure gold praised by all poets,
As pure gold praised by all poets, overflowed with love,
Oh overflowing River Kaveri, may you long live!
Oh overflowing River Kaveri, may you long live!
நடந்தாய் வாழி காவேரி
நாடெங்குமே செழிக்க நன்மையெல்லாம் சிறக்க
நாடெங்குமே செழிக்க நன்மையெல்லாம் சிறக்க
நடந்தாய் வாழி காவேரி
You walked, long live River Kaveri!
So that the entire land flourishes and all goodness excels,
So that the entire land flourishes and all goodness excels,
You walked, long live River Kaveri!
Nadandhaai vaazhi kaavaeri
You walked, long live River Kaveri!
Nadandhaai vaazhi kaavaeri
You walked, long live River Kaveri!
Naadengumae sezhikka nanmai ellaam sirakka
So that the entire land flourishes and all goodness excels,
Naadengumae sezhikka nanmai ellaam sirakka
So that the entire land flourishes and all goodness excels,
Nadandhaai vaazhi kaavaeri
You walked, long live River Kaveri!
Adarndha malai thodaril avadharithaai aa aa
You were born in the dense mountain ranges, ah ah!
Aa…aa…aa…aa….aa…aa….aa..aa..ai
Ah... ah... ah... ah... ah... ah... ah.. ah.. ai
Adarndha malai thodaril avadharithaai
You were born in the dense mountain ranges,
Indha azhagu thamizh nilathai alangarithaai aa aa aai
You adorned this beautiful Tamil land, ah ah ai!
Adarndha malai thodaril avadharithaai
You were born in the dense mountain ranges,
Indha azhagu thamizh nilathai alangarithaai
You adorned this beautiful Tamil land,
Nadandha un vazhi ellaam nalam alithaai
You bestowed prosperity along every path you walked,
Nadandha un vazhi yellaam nalam alithaai
You bestowed prosperity along every path you walked,
Nangaiyar unai vanangavum malargal
As women worship you, and flowers
Konjum solaigal nerungavum
In caressing groves draw near,
Nangaiyar unai vanangavum malargal
As women worship you, and flowers
Konjum solaigal nerungavum
In caressing groves draw near,
Inba yaazhisai muzhangavum
As joyful harp music resounds,
Seviyil senthamizh thaen vazhangavum
Offering sweet Tamil nectar to the ears,
Inba yaazhisai muzhangavum
As joyful harp music resounds,
Seviyil senthamizh thaen vazhangavum
Offering sweet Tamil nectar to the ears,
Asaindhu valaindhu nelindhu thodarndhu
Swaying, curving, twisting, and continuing on,
Alai kadal enumoru manamagan thunai peravae
To reach your groom, the wavy ocean, as a companion,
Nadandhaai vaazhi kaavaeri
You walked, long live River Kaveri!
Naadengumae sezhikka nanmai ellaam sirakka
So that the entire land flourishes and all goodness excels,
Nadandhaai vaazhi kaavaeri
You walked, long live River Kaveri!
Nadandhaai vaazhi kaavaeri
You walked, long live River Kaveri!
Nadandhaai vaazhi kaavaeri
You walked, long live River Kaveri!
Naadengumae sezhikka nanmai ellaam sirakka
So that the entire land flourishes and all goodness excels,
Naadengumae sezhikka nanmai ellaam sirakka
So that the entire land flourishes and all goodness excels,
Nadandhaai vaazhi kaavaeri
You walked, long live River Kaveri!
Unavalikkum uzhavarkkellaam kannaaga panbu
As the very eye to the farmers who provide food, as the virtuous
Uyarndha thamizh naattin sella pennaaga
Beloved daughter of the noble Tamil nation,
Unavalikkum uzhavarkkellaam kannaaga panbu
As the very eye to the farmers who provide food, as the virtuous
Uyarndha thamizh naattin sella pennaaga
Beloved daughter of the noble Tamil nation,
Pulavarellaam paaraattum ponnaaga
As pure gold praised by all poets,
Pulavarellaam paaraattum ponnaaga anbu
As pure gold praised by all poets, overflowed with love,
Pongi varum kaaviriyae vaazhiyavae
Oh overflowing River Kaveri, may you long live!
Pongi varum kaaviriyae vaazhiyavae
Oh overflowing River Kaveri, may you long live!
Nadandhaai vaazhi kaavaeri
You walked, long live River Kaveri!
Naadengumae sezhikka nanmai ellaam sirakka
So that the entire land flourishes and all goodness excels,
Naadengumae sezhikka nanmai ellaam sirakka
So that the entire land flourishes and all goodness excels,
Nadandhaai vaazhi kaavaeri
You walked, long live River Kaveri!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This classic devotional composition celebrates the divine River Kaveri, personifying her journey from the mountain ranges down to the ocean. The song praises Kaveri for nourishing the Tamil soil, sustaining agriculture, and bringing eternal prosperity to the region. It depicts the river as a beloved daughter of the Tamil land and a bride moving to unite with her groom, the ocean. The lyrics draw heavily upon classical Tamil literary tradition (like Silappatikaram), honoring the river as an embodiment of grace, music, and divine life. Kaveri is hailed as the lifeblood of farmers, an inspiration to poets, and a symbol of abundance and virtue.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Personification (Uruvagandhal / Personification)
“Alai kadal enumoru manamagan thunai peravae”
River Kaveri is personified as a bride walking gracefully towards her groom, the ocean ('Alai kadal enumoru manamagan').
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Unavalikkum uzhavarkkellaam kannaaga panbu”
The river is metaphorically described as the eyes of the farmers who give food ('uzhavarkkellaam kannaaga').
Emona / Rhyme (Monai and Ethirai)
“Asaindhu valaindhu nelindhu thodarndhu”
Use of second-letter rhyming (Ethirai) across lines like 'Asaindhu', 'valaindhu', 'nelindhu' creating a rhythmic flow that mimics the winding motion of the river.
Did you know?
Trivia
This classic song from the movie Agathiyar (1972) is inspired by the celebrated lines of Ilango Adigal's ancient Tamil epic, Silappatikaram ('Nadandhaai Vaazhi Kaveri'). The music for the film was composed by Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan, and the song was soulfully sung by S. Janaki and P. Susheela.
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