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Kattalai album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Nambinen Maharajane

From Kattalai · 1993

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Mano, Shoba
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Kattalai
Movie release year
1993
Lyrics added on
27 Jan 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Nambinen magaraajanae
Nambiyadhu veenillaiyae
Kannan pol koduthaayae
Vanna poonjsaelai
Illaiyil avamaanam thaan…
Nambinen magaraajanae
Nambiyadhu veenillaiyae
Nandriyai vaayaravae
Sollavor mozhi illaiyae
Kannan pol koduthaayae
Vanna poonjsaelai
Illaiyil avamaanam thaan…
Dhraupathi thanai kaatha
Dheivam pol neeyae
Kannanin avadhaaram thaan
Nambinen magaraajanae…
Manjal poosuven
Undhan perai cholli naanae
Iravil madi mel thaalaattuven
Netri kungumam
Undhan nenjil serum vannam
Ilamai nadhiyil neeraattuven
Acham enbadhondru
Ingu micham illai endru
Pachai vanna poovae
Anbu paadal sollu indru
Annai thandhai
Ellaam neeyaaga
Indha annam vandhaal
Undhan seiyaaga
Nambinen magaraajanae
Nambiyadhu veenillaiyae
Thendral enbadhu
Endhan thottam vandha podhu
Adadaa adhu or pennaanadho
Semmeen enbadhu
Endhan odai vandha podhu
Adhuvo mugathil kannaanadho
Kodai veyil vaatta
Indha kodhai vandha velai
Vaadai kaatru kondu
Neeyum vaattam theertha solai
Unnai vittu engum sellaadhu
Endhan kangal endrum
Kannae un meedhu
Nambinen magaraajanae
Nambiyadhu veenillaiyae
Nandriyai vaayaravae
Sollavor mozhi illaiyae
Kannan pol koduthaayae
Vanna poonjsaelai
Illaiyil avamaanam thaan…
Dhraupathi thanai kaatha
Dheivam pol neeyae
Kannanin avadhaaram thaan
Kannanin avadhaaram thaan
Kannanin avadhaaram thaan
I placed my trust in you, my noble king
That trust was not in vain
Just like Lord Krishna, you gave me
A colourful, floral saree
Without it, there would only have been shame...
I placed my trust in you, my noble king
That trust was not in vain
To express my heartfelt gratitude
There are simply no words
Just like Lord Krishna, you gave me
A colourful, floral saree
Without it, there would only have been shame...
Like the God who protected Draupadi,
You stand as a divine saviour,
Truly an avatar of Krishna!
I placed my trust in you, my noble king...
I will apply turmeric
While repeating your name
And sing you to sleep on my lap at night
So the kumkum on my forehead
Leaves its mark upon your chest,
I will bathe you in the river of my youth
Saying that not a single trace of fear
Is left behind here anymore,
O fresh, blooming green flower,
Sing a song of love today
With you as my mother and father,
As my everything,
This gentle swan has arrived
Under your loving care
I placed my trust in you, my noble king
That trust was not in vain
When the gentle breeze
Blew into my garden,
Ah, did it transform into a woman?
When the little fish
Swam into my stream,
Did it turn into the eyes on your face?
When the scorching summer heat withered me
And this young girl arrived,
Bringing a cool breeze with her,
You became a green garden that eased my pain
They will never wander away from you;
My eyes will forever
Rest only on you, my dearest
I placed my trust in you, my noble king
That trust was not in vain
To express my heartfelt gratitude
There are simply no words
Just like Lord Krishna, you gave me
A colourful, floral saree
Without it, there would only have been shame...
Like the God who protected Draupadi,
You stand as a divine saviour,
Truly an avatar of Krishna!
Truly an avatar of Krishna!
Truly an avatar of Krishna!
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song is a poignant and devoted expression of gratitude and love from the heroine towards her savior and lover. Drawing a strong mythological parallel to Lord Krishna saving Draupadi's honor by bestowing her with an endless saree, she views her beloved as a divine incarnation who saved her from shame and suffering. She feels immense relief, expressing that all fear has vanished under his care. The lyrics elaborate on her commitment to serve, love, and cherish him as her everything—parent, lover, and lord. In turn, the poetic imagery portrays how his presence brings soothing comfort like a cool breeze or a lush grove in scorching summer heat, cementing a bond of eternal trust and devotion.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Mythological Allusion & Simile

“Dhraupathi thanai kaatha Dheivam pol neeyae Kannanin avadhaaram thaan”

Compares the protagonist directly to Lord Krishna saving Draupadi in Mahabharata to highlight his chivalry and protective nature.

Metaphor

“Ilamai nadhiyil neeraattuven”

Uses vivid metaphors comparing youth to a river ('Ilamai nadhi') and comfort to a cool grove ('vaattam theertha solai').

Edhukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

“Acham enbadhondru / Ingu micham illai endru”

Tamil poetic rhyming where the second letter matches across lines, seen in 'Acham' and 'Micham'.

Did you know?

Trivia

This song belongs to the 1993 Tamil film 'Kattalai', starring Sathyaraj and Bhanupriya. Directed by Liaquat Ali Khan, the soundtrack was composed by Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics written by the iconic lyricist Vaali.

Keep listening

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