Naan Paadum Padalukku
From Raga Banthangal · 1982
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singers
- Vani Jairam, K. J. Yesudas
- Music director
- Kunnakudi Vaithiyanathan
- Details
- Raga Banthangal1982
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Naan paadum paadalukku | For the song that I sing |
| Swaram solla mudiyumaa | Can you recite the corresponding musical notes? |
| Isaiyodu vilaiyaadum | O king who rules over me |
| Enaiyaalum mannavaa | And plays delightfully with music! |
| Female | |
| Naan paadum paadalukku | For the song that I sing |
| Swaram solla mudiyumaa | Can you recite the corresponding musical notes? |
| Isaiyodu vilaiyaadum | O king who rules over me |
| Enaiyaalum mannavaa | And plays delightfully with music! |
| Female | |
| Sol ellaam swaram aagum | Every spoken word transforms into a musical note |
| Swaraththaalae isai vaazhum | Through musical notes, music flourishes |
| Sol ellaam swaram aagum | Every spoken word transforms into a musical note |
| Swaraththaalae isai vaazhum | Through musical notes, music flourishes |
| Singaara nadai pottu nee paadammaa | Walk with a graceful gait and sing, my dear |
| Singaara nadai pottu nee paadammaa | Walk with a graceful gait and sing, my dear |
| Female | |
| Naan paadum paadalukku | For the song that I sing |
| Swaram solla mudiyumaa | Can you recite the corresponding musical notes? |
| Isaiyodu vilaiyaadum | O king who rules over me |
| Enaiyaalum mannavaa | And plays delightfully with music! |
| Female | |
| Manam thedidum sugam thaa…. | Grant me the joy that my heart seeks... |
| Male :Papapaathamapa papatha | Male: Papapaathamapa papatha |
| Female :Dhinam paadidum varam thaa… | Grant me the boon to sing every single day... |
| Male :Thatha thaanithapa thathani | Male: Thatha thaanithapa thathani |
| Female :Kalai vaanilae nilavaai | Like the full moon in the sky of art |
| Male :Nini saarini sasari | Male: Nini saarini sasari |
| Female :Uravaaduvom | Let us unite in love |
| Male :Gamagarisasa | Male: Gamagarisasa |
| Female :Sabhaas | Female: Bravo! |
| Female | |
| Naan paadum paadalukku | For the song that I sing |
| Swaram solla mudiyumaa | Can you recite the corresponding musical notes? |
| Isaiyodu vilaiyaadum | O king who rules over me |
| Enaiyaalum mannavaa | And plays delightfully with music! |
| Female | |
| Koyil silaiyellaam aadal kalai thottram | Every temple sculpture reflects the art of dance |
| Gopura kalasangal sangeetha sigarangal | The temple tower finials are the peaks of music |
| Koyil silaiyellaam aadal kalai thottram | Every temple sculpture reflects the art of dance |
| Gopura kalasangal sangeetha sigarangal | The temple tower finials are the peaks of music |
| Male | |
| Rigamaagarigasasa | Rigamaagarigasasa |
| Ilam thendral kuyilosai kantharva gaanam | The young breeze and the cuckoo's song are celestial music |
| Vaanaththil megangal sowntharyaa melam | The clouds in the sky form a musical band of supreme beauty |
| Female | |
| Naan paadum paadalukku | For the song that I sing |
| Swaram solla mudiyumaa | Can you recite the corresponding musical notes? |
| Isaiyodu vilaiyaadum | O king who rules over me |
| Enaiyaalum mannavaa | And plays delightfully with music! |
| Female | |
| Thavazhnthaadum alai osai sivaranjani | The crawling sound of ocean waves is raga Sivaranjani |
| Seeraaga thaalaattum neelaampari | The gentle, rhythmic lullaby is raga Neelambari |
| Aa….aa….aa….aa….. | Aa....aa....aa....aa..... |
| Female | |
| Thavazhnthaadum alai osai sivaranjani | The crawling sound of ocean waves is raga Sivaranjani |
| Seeraaga thaalaattum neelaampari | The gentle, rhythmic lullaby is raga Neelambari |
| Yaezhu swarangalellaam | All the seven musical notes |
| Male :Padhapadhanininini | Male: Padhapadhanininini |
| Iyarkkaiyin jaalangal | Are the wonders of nature |
| Female :Nisasarisarini | Female: Nisasarisarini |
| Male :Ennaasai kalyaani | Male: My beloved Kalyani |
| Female :Nisarigarithasa | Female: Nisarigarithasa |
| Male :Gowri manohari | Male: Gowri Manohari |
| Female :Sarigamapathanisa sanithapamagarisa | Female: Sarigamapathanisa sanithapamagarisa |
| Sarigamapathanisa sanithapamagarisa | Sarigamapathanisa sanithapamagarisa |
| Male :Palae | Male: Splendid! |
| Female | |
| Naan paadum paadalukku | For the song that I sing |
| Swaram solla mudiyumaa | Can you recite the corresponding musical notes? |
| Isaiyodu vilaiyaadum | O king who rules over me |
| Enaiyaalum mannavaa | And plays delightfully with music! |
| Aa…aa….aaaa….aa…aa…aa…. | Aa...aa....aaaa....aa...aa...aa.... |
நான் பாடும் பாடலுக்கு
ஸ்வரம் சொல்ல முடியுமா
இசையோடு விளையாடும்
எனையாளும் மன்னவா...
For the song that I sing
Can you recite the corresponding musical notes?
O king who rules over me
And plays delightfully with music!
நான் பாடும் பாடலுக்கு
ஸ்வரம் சொல்ல முடியுமா
இசையோடு விளையாடும்
எனையாளும் மன்னவா...
For the song that I sing
Can you recite the corresponding musical notes?
O king who rules over me
And plays delightfully with music!
சொல் எல்லாம் ஸ்வரம் ஆகும்
ஸ்வரத்தாலே இசை வாழும்
சொல் எல்லாம் ஸ்வரம் ஆகும்
ஸ்வரத்தாலே இசை வாழும்
சிங்கார நடை போட்டு நீ பாடம்மா
சிங்கார நடை போட்டு நீ பாடம்மா........
Every spoken word transforms into a musical note
Through musical notes, music flourishes
Every spoken word transforms into a musical note
Through musical notes, music flourishes
Walk with a graceful gait and sing, my dear
Walk with a graceful gait and sing, my dear
நான் பாடும் பாடலுக்கு
ஸ்வரம் சொல்ல முடியுமா
இசையோடு விளையாடும்
எனையாளும் மன்னவா...
For the song that I sing
Can you recite the corresponding musical notes?
O king who rules over me
And plays delightfully with music!
மனம் தேடிடும் சுகம் தா.....
பபபாதமப பபத
தினம் பாடிடும் வரம் தா.....
தத தாநிதப ததநி
கலை வானிலே நிலவாய்...
நிநி ஸாரிநி ஸஸரி
உறவாடுவோம்....
கமகரிஸஸ...
சபாஷ்.....
Grant me the joy that my heart seeks...
Male: Papapaathamapa papatha
Grant me the boon to sing every single day...
Male: Thatha thaanithapa thathani
Like the full moon in the sky of art
Male: Nini saarini sasari
Let us unite in love
Male: Gamagarisasa
Female: Bravo!
நான் பாடும் பாடலுக்கு
ஸ்வரம் சொல்ல முடியுமா
இசையோடு விளையாடும்
எனையாளும் மன்னவா...
For the song that I sing
Can you recite the corresponding musical notes?
O king who rules over me
And plays delightfully with music!
கோயில் சிலையெல்லாம் ஆடல் கலைத் தோற்றம்
கோபுர கலசங்கள் சங்கீத சிகரங்கள்....
கோயில் சிலையெல்லாம் ஆடல் கலைத் தோற்றம்
கோபுர கலசங்கள் சங்கீத சிகரங்கள்.....
Every temple sculpture reflects the art of dance
The temple tower finials are the peaks of music
Every temple sculpture reflects the art of dance
The temple tower finials are the peaks of music
ரிகமாகரிகஸஸ
இளம் தென்றல் குயிலோசை கந்தர்வ கானம்
வானத்தில் மேகங்கள் சௌந்தர்ய மேளம்...
Rigamaagarigasasa
The young breeze and the cuckoo's song are celestial music
The clouds in the sky form a musical band of supreme beauty
நான் பாடும் பாடலுக்கு
ஸ்வரம் சொல்ல முடியுமா
இசையோடு விளையாடும்
எனையாளும் மன்னவா...
For the song that I sing
Can you recite the corresponding musical notes?
O king who rules over me
And plays delightfully with music!
தவழ்ந்தாடும் அலை ஓசை சிவரஞ்சனி
சீராக தாலாட்டும் நீலாம்பரி
ஆ....ஆ....ஆ.....ஆ....
The crawling sound of ocean waves is raga Sivaranjani
The gentle, rhythmic lullaby is raga Neelambari
Aa....aa....aa....aa.....
தவழ்ந்தாடும் அலை ஓசை சிவரஞ்சனி
சீராக தாலாட்டும் நீலாம்பரி
ஏழு ஸ்வரங்ளெல்லாம்.....
பதபதநிநிநிநி
இயற்கையின் ஜாலங்கள்....
நிஸஸரிசரிநி
என்னாசை கல்யாணி....
நிஸரிகரிதஸ
கெளரி மனோஹரி
ஸரிகமபதநிஸ ஸநிதபமகரிஸ
ஸரிகமபதநிஸ ஸநிதபமகரிஸ.....
பலே.......
The crawling sound of ocean waves is raga Sivaranjani
The gentle, rhythmic lullaby is raga Neelambari
All the seven musical notes
Male: Padhapadhanininini
Are the wonders of nature
Female: Nisasarisarini
Male: My beloved Kalyani
Female: Nisarigarithasa
Male: Gowri Manohari
Female: Sarigamapathanisa sanithapamagarisa
Sarigamapathanisa sanithapamagarisa
Male: Splendid!
நான் பாடும் பாடலுக்கு
ஸ்வரம் சொல்ல முடியுமா
இசையோடு விளையாடும்
எனையாளும் மன்னவா...
ஆ....ஆ.....ஆஆஆ.....ஆ....ஆ....ஆ.....
For the song that I sing
Can you recite the corresponding musical notes?
O king who rules over me
And plays delightfully with music!
Aa...aa....aaaa....aa...aa...aa....
ஆ....ஆ.....ஆஆஆ.....ஆ....ஆ....ஆ.....
Naan paadum paadalukku
For the song that I sing
Swaram solla mudiyumaa
Can you recite the corresponding musical notes?
Isaiyodu vilaiyaadum
O king who rules over me
Enaiyaalum mannavaa
And plays delightfully with music!
Naan paadum paadalukku
For the song that I sing
Swaram solla mudiyumaa
Can you recite the corresponding musical notes?
Isaiyodu vilaiyaadum
O king who rules over me
Enaiyaalum mannavaa
And plays delightfully with music!
Sol ellaam swaram aagum
Every spoken word transforms into a musical note
Swaraththaalae isai vaazhum
Through musical notes, music flourishes
Sol ellaam swaram aagum
Every spoken word transforms into a musical note
Swaraththaalae isai vaazhum
Through musical notes, music flourishes
Singaara nadai pottu nee paadammaa
Walk with a graceful gait and sing, my dear
Singaara nadai pottu nee paadammaa
Walk with a graceful gait and sing, my dear
Naan paadum paadalukku
For the song that I sing
Swaram solla mudiyumaa
Can you recite the corresponding musical notes?
Isaiyodu vilaiyaadum
O king who rules over me
Enaiyaalum mannavaa
And plays delightfully with music!
Manam thedidum sugam thaa….
Grant me the joy that my heart seeks...
Male :Papapaathamapa papatha
Male: Papapaathamapa papatha
Female :Dhinam paadidum varam thaa…
Grant me the boon to sing every single day...
Male :Thatha thaanithapa thathani
Male: Thatha thaanithapa thathani
Female :Kalai vaanilae nilavaai
Like the full moon in the sky of art
Male :Nini saarini sasari
Male: Nini saarini sasari
Female :Uravaaduvom
Let us unite in love
Male :Gamagarisasa
Male: Gamagarisasa
Female :Sabhaas
Female: Bravo!
Naan paadum paadalukku
For the song that I sing
Swaram solla mudiyumaa
Can you recite the corresponding musical notes?
Isaiyodu vilaiyaadum
O king who rules over me
Enaiyaalum mannavaa
And plays delightfully with music!
Koyil silaiyellaam aadal kalai thottram
Every temple sculpture reflects the art of dance
Gopura kalasangal sangeetha sigarangal
The temple tower finials are the peaks of music
Koyil silaiyellaam aadal kalai thottram
Every temple sculpture reflects the art of dance
Gopura kalasangal sangeetha sigarangal
The temple tower finials are the peaks of music
Rigamaagarigasasa
Rigamaagarigasasa
Ilam thendral kuyilosai kantharva gaanam
The young breeze and the cuckoo's song are celestial music
Vaanaththil megangal sowntharyaa melam
The clouds in the sky form a musical band of supreme beauty
Naan paadum paadalukku
For the song that I sing
Swaram solla mudiyumaa
Can you recite the corresponding musical notes?
Isaiyodu vilaiyaadum
O king who rules over me
Enaiyaalum mannavaa
And plays delightfully with music!
Thavazhnthaadum alai osai sivaranjani
The crawling sound of ocean waves is raga Sivaranjani
Seeraaga thaalaattum neelaampari
The gentle, rhythmic lullaby is raga Neelambari
Aa….aa….aa….aa…..
Aa....aa....aa....aa.....
Thavazhnthaadum alai osai sivaranjani
The crawling sound of ocean waves is raga Sivaranjani
Seeraaga thaalaattum neelaampari
The gentle, rhythmic lullaby is raga Neelambari
Yaezhu swarangalellaam
All the seven musical notes
Male :Padhapadhanininini
Male: Padhapadhanininini
Iyarkkaiyin jaalangal
Are the wonders of nature
Female :Nisasarisarini
Female: Nisasarisarini
Male :Ennaasai kalyaani
Male: My beloved Kalyani
Female :Nisarigarithasa
Female: Nisarigarithasa
Male :Gowri manohari
Male: Gowri Manohari
Female :Sarigamapathanisa sanithapamagarisa
Female: Sarigamapathanisa sanithapamagarisa
Sarigamapathanisa sanithapamagarisa
Sarigamapathanisa sanithapamagarisa
Male :Palae
Male: Splendid!
Naan paadum paadalukku
For the song that I sing
Swaram solla mudiyumaa
Can you recite the corresponding musical notes?
Isaiyodu vilaiyaadum
O king who rules over me
Enaiyaalum mannavaa
And plays delightfully with music!
Aa…aa….aaaa….aa…aa…aa….
Aa...aa....aaaa....aa...aa...aa....
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Naan paadum paadalukku' is a classical duet from the 1982 Tamil film 'Raga Banthangal', composed by classical violin maestro Kunnakudi Vaidhiyanathan and penned by poet Kannadasan. The song features a playful jugalbandi (musical exchange) between two lovers where the female singer challenges her partner to match her lyrics with instant swara (solfege) patterns. As the musical dialogue progresses, they marvel at how speech transforms into song and how music fills their love with joy. Kannadasan poetically connects Carnatic music with nature and Indian temple heritage. Temple sculptures and tower spires are likened to dance forms and musical pinnacles, while natural elements—ocean waves, breezes, and clouds—are equated to specific ragas like Sivaranjani, Neelambari, Kalyani, and Gowri Manohari. The track celebrates the divine, omnipresent nature of music in both art and romantic companionship.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Monai (Alliteration)
“Sol ellaam swaram aagum”
Repetition of initial consonant sounds across words, such as 'Sol' and 'Swaram' in the same line.
Iyaibu (End Rhyme)
“Thavazhnthaadum alai osai sivaranjani / Seeraaga thaalaattum neelaampari”
Rhyming ending words across consecutive lines, seen in ragas ending with matching phonetic sounds.
Raga-Alankara / Metaphor
“Ennaasai kalyaani / Gowri manohari”
Clever wordplay integrating Carnatic ragas (Sivaranjani, Neelambari, Kalyani, Gowri Manohari) as both musical scales and descriptions of nature and affection.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by the legendary violinist and composer Kunnakudi Vaidhiyanathan, this song showcases intricate 'swara-prasthara' (solfege improvisation) between K. J. Yesudas and Vani Jairam. The lyricist Kannadasan uniquely incorporated the actual names of four Carnatic ragas—Sivaranjani, Neelambari, Kalyani, and Gowri Manohari—directly into the lyrical narrative.
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