Nayagan Vadivai
From Karaikkal Ammaiyar · 1973
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- P. Susheela
- Music director
- Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan
- Details
- Karaikkal Ammaiyar1973
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Naayagan vadivai naan paarthen | I saw the form of my lord and husband |
| Naayagan vadivai naan paarthen | I saw the form of my lord and husband |
| Nalla naadagam aadidum vizhi paarthen | I saw eyes that enact a wonderful play |
| Nalla naadagam aadidum vizhi paarthen | I saw eyes that enact a wonderful play |
| Thaayinum karunai manam paarthen | I saw a heart with mercy greater than a mother's |
| Thaayinum karunai manam paarthen | I saw a heart with mercy greater than a mother's |
| Thalaivanukkae ennai thandhu vitten | I have surrendered myself to that leader |
| Andha thalaivanukkae ennai thandhu vitten | I have given myself to that very leader |
| Female | |
| Naayagan vadivai naan paarthen | I saw the form of my lord and husband |
| Female | |
| Pirappin kaaranam arindhenae | I understood the reason for my birth |
| Penmaiyin maenmaiyai purindhaenae | I understood the greatness of womanhood |
| Pirappin kaaranam arindhenae | I understood the reason for my birth |
| Penmaiyin maenmaiyai purindhaenae | I understood the greatness of womanhood |
| Sirappin illaram unarndhenae | I realized the glory of righteous family life |
| Sirappin illaram unarndhenae | I realized the glory of righteous family life |
| Undhan saevaiyil nallaram kandenae | I found true virtue in serving you |
| Undhan saevaiyil nallaram kandenae | I found true virtue in serving you |
| Female | |
| Naayagan vadivai naan paarthen | I saw the form of my lord and husband |
| Female | |
| Sathiyam enbathu kanavan | Truth itself is the husband |
| Adhil thathuvam enbathu manaivi | And philosophy within it is the wife |
| Sathiyam enbathu kanavan | Truth itself is the husband |
| Adhil thathuvam enbathu manaivi | And philosophy within it is the wife |
| Uthamam enbathu vaazhvu | Purity and excellence form life itself |
| Uthamam enbathu vaazhvu | Purity and excellence form life itself |
| Adhai unarnthavarkkillai endrum thaazhvu | Those who realize this will never suffer a downfall |
| Adhai unarnthavarkkillai endrum thaazhvu | Those who realize this will never suffer a downfall |
| Female | |
| Naayagan vadivai naan paarthen | I saw the form of my lord and husband |
| Nalla naadagam aadidum vizhi paarthen | I saw eyes that enact a wonderful play |
| Thaayinum karunai manam paarthen | I saw a heart with mercy greater than a mother's |
| Thalaivanukkae ennai thandhu vitten | I have surrendered myself to that leader |
| Andha thalaivanukkae ennai thandhu vitten | I have given myself to that very leader |
| Female | |
| Naayagan vadivai naan paarthen | I saw the form of my lord and husband |
நாயகன் வடிவை நான் பார்த்தேன்
நாயகன் வடிவை நான் பார்த்தேன்
நல்ல நாடகம் ஆடிடும் விழி பார்த்தேன்
நல்ல நாடகம் ஆடிடும் விழி பார்த்தேன்
தாயினும் கருணை மனம் பார்த்தேன்
தாயினும் கருணை மனம் பார்த்தேன்
தலைவனுக்கே என்னை தந்து விட்டேன்
அந்த தலைவனுக்கே என்னை தந்து விட்டேன்
I saw the form of my lord and husband
I saw the form of my lord and husband
I saw eyes that enact a wonderful play
I saw eyes that enact a wonderful play
I saw a heart with mercy greater than a mother's
I saw a heart with mercy greater than a mother's
I have surrendered myself to that leader
I have given myself to that very leader
நாயகன் வடிவை நான் பார்த்தேன்
I saw the form of my lord and husband
பிறப்பின் காரணம் அறிந்தேனே
பெண்மையின் மேன்மையைப் புரிந்தேனே
பிறப்பின் காரணம் அறிந்தேனே
பெண்மையின் மேன்மையைப் புரிந்தேனே
சிறப்பின் இல்லறம் உணர்ந்தேனே
சிறப்பின் இல்லறம் உணர்ந்தேனே
உந்தன் சேவையில் நல்லறம் கண்டேனே
உந்தன் சேவையில் நல்லறம் கண்டேனே
I understood the reason for my birth
I understood the greatness of womanhood
I understood the reason for my birth
I understood the greatness of womanhood
I realized the glory of righteous family life
I realized the glory of righteous family life
I found true virtue in serving you
I found true virtue in serving you
நாயகன் வடிவை நான் பார்த்தேன்
I saw the form of my lord and husband
சத்தியம் என்பது கணவன்
அதில் தத்துவம் என்பது மனைவி
சத்தியம் என்பது கணவன்
அதில் தத்துவம் என்பது மனைவி
உத்தமம் என்பது வாழ்வு
உத்தமம் என்பது வாழ்வு
அதை உணர்ந்தவர்க்கில்லை என்றும் தாழ்வு...
அதை உணர்ந்தவர்க்கில்லை என்றும் தாழ்வு...
Truth itself is the husband
And philosophy within it is the wife
Truth itself is the husband
And philosophy within it is the wife
Purity and excellence form life itself
Purity and excellence form life itself
Those who realize this will never suffer a downfall
Those who realize this will never suffer a downfall
நாயகன் வடிவை நான் பார்த்தேன்
நல்ல நாடகம் ஆடிடும் விழி பார்த்தேன்
தாயினும் கருணை மனம் பார்த்தேன்
தலைவனுக்கே என்னை தந்து விட்டேன்
அந்த தலைவனுக்கே என்னை தந்து விட்டேன்
I saw the form of my lord and husband
I saw eyes that enact a wonderful play
I saw a heart with mercy greater than a mother's
I have surrendered myself to that leader
I have given myself to that very leader
I saw the form of my lord and husband
Naayagan vadivai naan paarthen
I saw the form of my lord and husband
Naayagan vadivai naan paarthen
I saw the form of my lord and husband
Nalla naadagam aadidum vizhi paarthen
I saw eyes that enact a wonderful play
Nalla naadagam aadidum vizhi paarthen
I saw eyes that enact a wonderful play
Thaayinum karunai manam paarthen
I saw a heart with mercy greater than a mother's
Thaayinum karunai manam paarthen
I saw a heart with mercy greater than a mother's
Thalaivanukkae ennai thandhu vitten
I have surrendered myself to that leader
Andha thalaivanukkae ennai thandhu vitten
I have given myself to that very leader
Naayagan vadivai naan paarthen
I saw the form of my lord and husband
Pirappin kaaranam arindhenae
I understood the reason for my birth
Penmaiyin maenmaiyai purindhaenae
I understood the greatness of womanhood
Pirappin kaaranam arindhenae
I understood the reason for my birth
Penmaiyin maenmaiyai purindhaenae
I understood the greatness of womanhood
Sirappin illaram unarndhenae
I realized the glory of righteous family life
Sirappin illaram unarndhenae
I realized the glory of righteous family life
Undhan saevaiyil nallaram kandenae
I found true virtue in serving you
Undhan saevaiyil nallaram kandenae
I found true virtue in serving you
Naayagan vadivai naan paarthen
I saw the form of my lord and husband
Sathiyam enbathu kanavan
Truth itself is the husband
Adhil thathuvam enbathu manaivi
And philosophy within it is the wife
Sathiyam enbathu kanavan
Truth itself is the husband
Adhil thathuvam enbathu manaivi
And philosophy within it is the wife
Uthamam enbathu vaazhvu
Purity and excellence form life itself
Uthamam enbathu vaazhvu
Purity and excellence form life itself
Adhai unarnthavarkkillai endrum thaazhvu
Those who realize this will never suffer a downfall
Adhai unarnthavarkkillai endrum thaazhvu
Those who realize this will never suffer a downfall
Naayagan vadivai naan paarthen
I saw the form of my lord and husband
Nalla naadagam aadidum vizhi paarthen
I saw eyes that enact a wonderful play
Thaayinum karunai manam paarthen
I saw a heart with mercy greater than a mother's
Thalaivanukkae ennai thandhu vitten
I have surrendered myself to that leader
Andha thalaivanukkae ennai thandhu vitten
I have given myself to that very leader
Naayagan vadivai naan paarthen
I saw the form of my lord and husband
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song from the movie Karaikkal Ammaiyar (1973) portrays Punitavati (before she becomes the saint Karaikkal Ammaiyar) expressing her deep love, reverence, and spiritual devotion toward her husband. She sees divine grace in her husband's presence, equating him to a lord who embodies truth and ultimate righteousness. Through Kannadasan's philosophical lyrics, the act of serving one's partner and upholding domestic virtue (Illaram) is presented as a spiritual path that reveals the purpose of life and womanhood. The song emphasizes that a life built on truth, virtue, and mutual understanding prevents any degradation of character.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)
“Sathiyam enbathu kanavan / Adhil thathuvam enbathu manaivi”
The lyricist equates the husband to 'Truth' (Sathiyam) and the wife to the underlying 'Philosophy' (Thathuvam).
Simile / Comparison (Uwamai)
“Thaayinum karunai manam paarthen”
The husband's heart is compared to a mother's compassion, stating it exceeds even a mother's love.
Erhugai (Second Letter Rhyming)
“Pirappin kaaranam arindhenae / Sirappin illaram unarndhenae”
The second letters of 'Pirappin' and 'Sirappin' rhyme ('ra'), creating rhythmic harmony.
Moonaai (Initial Alliteration)
“Pirappin kaaranam arindhenae / Penmaiyin maenmaiyai purindhaenae”
Initial letters 'Pa' and 'Pe' share consonant alliteration across adjacent lines.
Did you know?
Trivia
The film Karaikkal Ammaiyar (1973) features music composed by Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan. This particular track is rendered by P. Susheela, highlighting the early domestic life of Saint Karaikkal Ammaiyar before her miraculous transformation into a skeletal devotee of Lord Shiva.
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