Nalam Tharuvai En Thaye
From Raga Banthangal · 1982
- Lyricist
- Trichy Bharathan
- Singer
- K. J. Yesudas
- Music director
- Kunnakudi Vaithiyanathan
- Details
- Raga Banthangal1982
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Nalam tharuvaai en thaayae meenatchi | Grant me well-being, Oh my mother Meenakshi, |
| Nalam tharuvaai en thaayae meenatchi | Grant me well-being, Oh my mother Meenakshi, |
| Vaazhvinil unaippaadum | To sing of you throughout my life, |
| Varam tharuvaai amma | Grant me that boon, Mother. |
| Male | |
| Nalam tharuvaai en thaayae meenatchi | Grant me well-being, Oh my mother Meenakshi, |
| Vaazhvinil unaippaadum | To sing of you throughout my life, |
| Varam tharuvaai amma | Grant me that boon, Mother. |
| Male | |
| Nalam tharuvaai en thaayae meenatchi | Grant me well-being, Oh my mother Meenakshi, |
| Male | |
| Sangeetha saagithya swara laya thiyaanam | Meditation on music, lyrics, notes, and rhythm, |
| Aa….aa…aa….aah….aa…aa…aa…aa…. | Ah.... |
| Sangeetha saagithya swara laya thiyaanam | Meditation on music, lyrics, notes, and rhythm, |
| Saareeram valam perum inimaiyum serum | May the vocal instrument gain strength and sweetness join it, |
| Saareeram valam perum inimaiyum serum | May the vocal instrument gain strength and sweetness join it, |
| Male | |
| Nalam tharuvaai en thaayae meenatchi | Grant me well-being, Oh my mother Meenakshi, |
| Vaazhvinil unaippaadum | To sing of you throughout my life, |
| Varam tharuvaai amma | Grant me that boon, Mother. |
| Male | |
| Nalam tharuvaai en thaayae meenatchi | Grant me well-being, Oh my mother Meenakshi, |
| Male | |
| Madurai arasi meenatchi devi | Goddess Meenakshi, the queen of Madurai, |
| Manikkaram kiliyum isai paadum | Even the parrot on your jeweled hand sings music, |
| Madurai arasi meenatchi devi | Goddess Meenakshi, the queen of Madurai, |
| Manikkaram kiliyum isai paadum | Even the parrot on your jeweled hand sings music, |
| Male | |
| Kanni thamizh thaenae karunai purivaai | Oh sweet nectar of virgin Tamil, shower your mercy, |
| Aa….aa…aa….aah….aa…aa…aa…aa…. | Ah.... |
| Kanni thamizh thaenae karunai purivaai | Oh sweet nectar of virgin Tamil, shower your mercy, |
| Karam kuviththaen ennai kadaikkan paarammaa | I fold my hands in prayer; glance at me with your gracious eyes, Mother, |
| Karam kuviththaen ennai kadaikkan paarammaa | I fold my hands in prayer; glance at me with your gracious eyes, Mother, |
| Male | |
| Nalam tharuvaai en thaayae meenatchi | Grant me well-being, Oh my mother Meenakshi, |
| Vaazhvinil unaippaadum | To sing of you throughout my life, |
| Varam tharuvaai amma | Grant me that boon, Mother. |
| Male | |
| Nalam tharuvaai en thaayae meenatchi | Grant me well-being, Oh my mother Meenakshi, |
| Male | |
| Udalil uruthi isaikku vendum | Physical strength and stamina are needed for music, |
| Udalil uruthi isaikku vendum | Physical strength and stamina are needed for music, |
| Ozhukkamum nermaiyum thara vendum | Grant discipline and integrity as well, |
| Male | |
| Maalavan sothari umamaheswari | Sister of Lord Vishnu, Oh Umamaheshwari, |
| Ee….ee….ee….ee….ee….ee…. | Ee.... |
| Maalavan sothari umamaheswari | Sister of Lord Vishnu, Oh Umamaheshwari, |
| Mangalam soozhum sri bhuvaneshwari | Oh Sri Bhuvaneshwari, surrounded by auspiciousness, |
| Mangalam soozhum sri bhuvaneshwari | Oh Sri Bhuvaneshwari, surrounded by auspiciousness, |
| Male | |
| Nalam tharuvaai en thaayae meenatchi | Grant me well-being, Oh my mother Meenakshi, |
| Vaazhvinil unaippaadum | To sing of you throughout my life, |
| Varam tharuvaai amma | Grant me that boon, Mother. |
| Male | |
| Nalam tharuvaai en thaayae meenatchi | Grant me well-being, Oh my mother Meenakshi. |
நலம் தருவாய் என் தாயே மீனாக்ஷி
நலம் தருவாய் என் தாயே மீனாக்ஷி
வாழ்வினில் உனைப்பாடும்
வரம் தருவாய் அம்மா
Grant me well-being, Oh my mother Meenakshi,
Grant me well-being, Oh my mother Meenakshi,
To sing of you throughout my life,
Grant me that boon, Mother.
நலம் தருவாய் என் தாயே மீனாக்ஷி
வாழ்வினில் உனைப்பாடும்
வரம் தருவாய் அம்மா
Grant me well-being, Oh my mother Meenakshi,
To sing of you throughout my life,
Grant me that boon, Mother.
நலம் தருவாய் என் தாயே மீனாக்ஷி
Grant me well-being, Oh my mother Meenakshi,
சங்கீத சாகித்ய ஸ்வர லய த்யானம்
ஆ....ஆ....ஆ....ஆஹ்....ஆ....ஆ....ஆ.....ஆ....
சங்கீத சாகித்ய ஸ்வர லய த்யானம்
சாரீரம் வளம் பெறும் இனிமையும் சேரும்
சாரீரம் வளம் பெறும் இனிமையும் சேரும்
Meditation on music, lyrics, notes, and rhythm,
Ah....
Meditation on music, lyrics, notes, and rhythm,
May the vocal instrument gain strength and sweetness join it,
May the vocal instrument gain strength and sweetness join it,
நலம் தருவாய் என் தாயே மீனாக்ஷி
வாழ்வினில் உனைப்பாடும்
வரம் தருவாய் அம்மா
Grant me well-being, Oh my mother Meenakshi,
To sing of you throughout my life,
Grant me that boon, Mother.
நலம் தருவாய் என் தாயே மீனாக்ஷி
Grant me well-being, Oh my mother Meenakshi,
மதுரை அரசி மீனாட்சி தேவி
மணிக்கரம் கிளியும் இசை பாடும்
மதுரை அரசி மீனாட்சி தேவி
மணிக்கரம் கிளியும் இசை பாடும்
Goddess Meenakshi, the queen of Madurai,
Even the parrot on your jeweled hand sings music,
Goddess Meenakshi, the queen of Madurai,
Even the parrot on your jeweled hand sings music,
கன்னித் தமிழ் தேனே கருணை புரிவாய்
ஆ....ஆ....ஆ....ஆஹ்....ஆ....ஆ....ஆ....
கன்னித் தமிழ் தேனே கருணை புரிவாய்
கரம் குவித்தேன் என்னை கடைக்கண் பாரம்மா
கரம் குவித்தேன் என்னை கடைக்கண் பாரம்மா
Oh sweet nectar of virgin Tamil, shower your mercy,
Ah....
Oh sweet nectar of virgin Tamil, shower your mercy,
I fold my hands in prayer; glance at me with your gracious eyes, Mother,
I fold my hands in prayer; glance at me with your gracious eyes, Mother,
நலம் தருவாய் என் தாயே மீனாக்ஷி
வாழ்வினில் உனைப்பாடும்
வரம் தருவாய் அம்மா
Grant me well-being, Oh my mother Meenakshi,
To sing of you throughout my life,
Grant me that boon, Mother.
நலம் தருவாய் என் தாயே மீனாக்ஷி
Grant me well-being, Oh my mother Meenakshi,
உடலில் உறுதி இசைக்கு வேண்டும்
உடலில் உறுதி இசைக்கு வேண்டும்
ஒழுக்கமும் நேர்மையும் தர வேண்டும்
உடலில் உறுதி இசைக்கு வேண்டும்
ஒழுக்கமும் நேர்மையும் தர வேண்டும்
Physical strength and stamina are needed for music,
Physical strength and stamina are needed for music,
Grant discipline and integrity as well,
மாலவன் சோதரி உமாமகேஸ்வரி....
ஈ.....ஈ.....ஈ......ஈ....ஈ....ஈ.....
மாலவன் சோதரி உமாமகேஸ்வரி
மங்கலம் சூழும் ஸ்ரீபுவனேஸ்வரி...
மங்கலம் சூழும் ஸ்ரீபுவனேஸ்வரி...
Sister of Lord Vishnu, Oh Umamaheshwari,
Ee....
Sister of Lord Vishnu, Oh Umamaheshwari,
Oh Sri Bhuvaneshwari, surrounded by auspiciousness,
Oh Sri Bhuvaneshwari, surrounded by auspiciousness,
நலம் தருவாய் என் தாயே மீனாக்ஷி
வாழ்வினில் உனைப்பாடும்
வரம் தருவாய் அம்மா
Grant me well-being, Oh my mother Meenakshi,
To sing of you throughout my life,
Grant me that boon, Mother.
நலம் தருவாய் என் தாயே மீனாக்ஷி
Grant me well-being, Oh my mother Meenakshi.
Nalam tharuvaai en thaayae meenatchi
Grant me well-being, Oh my mother Meenakshi,
Nalam tharuvaai en thaayae meenatchi
Grant me well-being, Oh my mother Meenakshi,
Vaazhvinil unaippaadum
To sing of you throughout my life,
Varam tharuvaai amma
Grant me that boon, Mother.
Nalam tharuvaai en thaayae meenatchi
Grant me well-being, Oh my mother Meenakshi,
Vaazhvinil unaippaadum
To sing of you throughout my life,
Varam tharuvaai amma
Grant me that boon, Mother.
Nalam tharuvaai en thaayae meenatchi
Grant me well-being, Oh my mother Meenakshi,
Sangeetha saagithya swara laya thiyaanam
Meditation on music, lyrics, notes, and rhythm,
Aa….aa…aa….aah….aa…aa…aa…aa….
Ah....
Sangeetha saagithya swara laya thiyaanam
Meditation on music, lyrics, notes, and rhythm,
Saareeram valam perum inimaiyum serum
May the vocal instrument gain strength and sweetness join it,
Saareeram valam perum inimaiyum serum
May the vocal instrument gain strength and sweetness join it,
Nalam tharuvaai en thaayae meenatchi
Grant me well-being, Oh my mother Meenakshi,
Vaazhvinil unaippaadum
To sing of you throughout my life,
Varam tharuvaai amma
Grant me that boon, Mother.
Nalam tharuvaai en thaayae meenatchi
Grant me well-being, Oh my mother Meenakshi,
Madurai arasi meenatchi devi
Goddess Meenakshi, the queen of Madurai,
Manikkaram kiliyum isai paadum
Even the parrot on your jeweled hand sings music,
Madurai arasi meenatchi devi
Goddess Meenakshi, the queen of Madurai,
Manikkaram kiliyum isai paadum
Even the parrot on your jeweled hand sings music,
Kanni thamizh thaenae karunai purivaai
Oh sweet nectar of virgin Tamil, shower your mercy,
Aa….aa…aa….aah….aa…aa…aa…aa….
Ah....
Kanni thamizh thaenae karunai purivaai
Oh sweet nectar of virgin Tamil, shower your mercy,
Karam kuviththaen ennai kadaikkan paarammaa
I fold my hands in prayer; glance at me with your gracious eyes, Mother,
Karam kuviththaen ennai kadaikkan paarammaa
I fold my hands in prayer; glance at me with your gracious eyes, Mother,
Nalam tharuvaai en thaayae meenatchi
Grant me well-being, Oh my mother Meenakshi,
Vaazhvinil unaippaadum
To sing of you throughout my life,
Varam tharuvaai amma
Grant me that boon, Mother.
Nalam tharuvaai en thaayae meenatchi
Grant me well-being, Oh my mother Meenakshi,
Udalil uruthi isaikku vendum
Physical strength and stamina are needed for music,
Udalil uruthi isaikku vendum
Physical strength and stamina are needed for music,
Ozhukkamum nermaiyum thara vendum
Grant discipline and integrity as well,
Maalavan sothari umamaheswari
Sister of Lord Vishnu, Oh Umamaheshwari,
Ee….ee….ee….ee….ee….ee….
Ee....
Maalavan sothari umamaheswari
Sister of Lord Vishnu, Oh Umamaheshwari,
Mangalam soozhum sri bhuvaneshwari
Oh Sri Bhuvaneshwari, surrounded by auspiciousness,
Mangalam soozhum sri bhuvaneshwari
Oh Sri Bhuvaneshwari, surrounded by auspiciousness,
Nalam tharuvaai en thaayae meenatchi
Grant me well-being, Oh my mother Meenakshi,
Vaazhvinil unaippaadum
To sing of you throughout my life,
Varam tharuvaai amma
Grant me that boon, Mother.
Nalam tharuvaai en thaayae meenatchi
Grant me well-being, Oh my mother Meenakshi.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Nalam Tharuvaai En Thaayae Meenatchi is a classical devotional song from the 1982 film Raga Banthangal, addressed to Goddess Meenakshi of Madurai. The singer prays to the Mother Goddess for bodily health, vocal power, sweetness in music, discipline, and moral integrity so that he may dedicate his life to singing her divine praise. Through vivid imagery, the lyricist invokes various divine names of the Mother Goddess, equating her grace with sweet Tamil nectar and seeking her compassionate glance to master the art of music.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Monnai (Initial Alliteration)
“Sangeetha saagithya swara laya thiyaanam”
Repetition of initial consonant sounds within the same line, such as 'Sa' in Sangeetha saagithya swara laya.
Etukai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Nalam tharuvaai / Varam tharuvaai”
Matching second consonants across lines to create rhythmic flow, seen in 'Nalam' and 'Varam'.
Metaphor (Uruvagaim)
“Kanni thamizh thaenae karunai purivaai”
Addressing the Goddess as 'Kanni thamizh thaenae' (nectar of virgin Tamil), comparing divine grace directly to sweet nectar.
Visual Imagery
“Manikkaram kiliyum isai paadum”
Evoking a vivid iconographic picture of Goddess Meenakshi with a parrot perched on her jeweled hand.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by violin virtuoso Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan, this song showcases his trademark style of blending classical Carnatic music sensibilities directly into film soundscapes. Sung by K. J. Yesudas, the track functions both as a devotional hymn and an invocation to the art of Carnatic music.
Keep listening
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