Pallaviye Saranam
From Oruvar Vaazhum Aalayam · 1988
- Lyricist
- Ponnadiyan
- Singers
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Oruvar Vaazhum Aalayam1988
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Aaa…aaa….aaa…aaa….aaa…. | Aaa...aaa... vocalizing... |
| Pallaviyae saranam…..pallaviyae saranam | Oh opening refrain, you are my refuge... refuge... |
| Un geedham thanthathadi salanam…aa..aa…aa… | Your song has brought an inner restlessness... aa..aa..aa... |
| Male :Pallaviyae saranam | Male: Oh opening refrain, you are my refuge |
| Un geedham thanthathadi salanam…aa..aa…aa… | Your song has brought an inner restlessness... aa..aa..aa... |
| Female :Pallaviyae saranam un geedham | Female: Oh opening refrain, your song |
| Male :Thanthathadi salanam.. | Male: Has brought an inner restlessness... |
| Female | |
| Mamara nizhalil | Under the shade of the mango tree |
| Aaa…aaa….aaa….aaa…. | Aaa...aaa... vocalizing... |
| Mamara nizhalil maargazhiyil | Under the shade of the mango tree in the month of Margazhi |
| Maan vizhi kalanthida thudiththaenae | I yearned for my deer-like eyes to meet yours |
| Male :Mamara nizhalil maargazhiyil | Male: Under the shade of the mango tree in the month of Margazhi |
| Maan vizhi kalanthida thudiththaenae | I yearned for my deer-like eyes to meet yours |
| Female | |
| Thaniyae kidanthu thaviththaen | I suffered lying alone in solitude |
| Male :Thanisa thaanipa thaanisa | Male: Swara solfege (Tha ni sa tha ni pa tha ni sa) |
| Female :Thalirudal thazhuvida silirththaen | Female: I shivered in delight as my tender body was embraced |
| Male :Thaa ni sa tha ni sa ma ga ri tha ni sa | Male: Swara solfege (Thaa ni sa tha ni sa ma ga ri tha ni sa) |
| Female | |
| Thaniyae kidanthu thaviththaen | I suffered lying alone in solitude |
| Thalirudal thazhuvida silirththaen | I shivered in delight as my tender body was embraced |
| Iru uyir inainthapothu inbam vanthu | When two souls united, happiness arrived |
| Manamathu magizhnthida kanavugal malarnthathu | As the heart rejoiced, dreams blossomed |
| Male :Iru uyir inainthapothu inbam vanthu | Male: When two souls united, happiness arrived |
| Both :Paranthu paranthu paranthu magizhnthathu | Both: Soaring, soaring, soaring high in joy |
| Male | |
| Pallaviyae saranam thanthathadi salanam | Oh refrain, refuge! It brought restlessness |
| Pallaviyae saranam….. | Oh opening refrain, refuge... |
| Un geedham thanthathadi salanam… | Your song has brought an inner restlessness... |
| Aaa….aaa….aaaa….. pallaviyae saranam | Aaa...aaa... oh opening refrain, refuge |
| Male | |
| Thaamarai poigai oraththilae | At the edge of the lotus pond |
| Poomazhai saaralin eeraththilae | In the moisture of a gentle flower rain drizzle |
| Thaamarai poigai oraththilae | At the edge of the lotus pond |
| Poomazhai saaralin eeraththilae | In the moisture of a gentle flower rain drizzle |
| Male | |
| Thedi unai naan kaanamal | Unable to find you after searching |
| Vaadidum orruyir aanaenae | I became a single soul, slowly fading away |
| Thaedi unai naan kaanaamal | Unable to find you after searching |
| Vaadidum orruyir aanaenae | I became a single soul, slowly fading away |
| Male | |
| Kaniyae kaniyin amuthae | Oh sweet fruit, nectar of the fruit |
| Female :Thagajam thagatha rigajam | Female: Rhythm syllables (Thagajam thagatha rigajam) |
| Male :Kaninthidum kaniyathan suvaiyae | Male: The very sweetness of a ripening fruit |
| Female :Thagida thagathimi kidathajam | Female: Rhythm syllables (Thagida thagathimi kidathajam) |
| Male | |
| Kaniyae kaniyin amuthae | Oh sweet fruit, nectar of the fruit |
| Kaninthidum kaniyathan suvaiyae | The very sweetness of a ripening fruit |
| Isai unai pirinthapothu magizhvathaethu | When separated from music, where is happiness? |
| Idhayamum thudikkithu iru vizhi kalanguthu | The heart throbs and both eyes fill with tears |
| Female | |
| Thagaritha thanukkajamtha rinathajamthaa | Rhythm syllables (Thagaritha thanukkajamtha...) |
| Thagarithaa nagarithaa kudharithaa jagarithaa | Rhythm syllables (Thagarithaa nagarithaa...) |
| Male :Kavi porul vilagidaathu kalanthu poga | Male: Without letting the poetic meaning drift away, let us blend |
| Isaiyil nanainthu inainthu magizhavaa | Shall I rejoice, soaked and merged into music? |
| Male | |
| Pallaviyae saranam….. | Oh opening refrain, you are my refuge... |
| Un geedham thanthathadi salanam… | Your song has brought an inner restlessness... |
| Aaa….aaa….aaaa….. pallaviyae saranam | Aaa...aaa... oh opening refrain, refuge |
ஆஆ....ஆஆ...ஆஆ...ஆஆ...ஆஆஆ...
பல்லவியே சரணம்....பல்லவியே சரணம்
உன் கீதம் தந்ததடி சலனம்...ஆஆ...ஆ....ஆ....
பல்லவியே சரணம்
உன் கீதம் தந்ததடி சலனம்....ஆஆ...ஆஆ....
பல்லவியே சரணம் உன் கீதம்
தந்ததடி சலனம்...
Aaa...aaa... vocalizing...
Oh opening refrain, you are my refuge... refuge...
Your song has brought an inner restlessness... aa..aa..aa...
Male: Oh opening refrain, you are my refuge
Your song has brought an inner restlessness... aa..aa..aa...
Female: Oh opening refrain, your song
Male: Has brought an inner restlessness...
மாமர நிழலில்
ஆஆ....ஆஆ...ஆஆ...ஆஆ...
மாமர நிழலில் மார்கழியில்
மான் விழி கலந்திட துடித்தேனே
மாமர நிழலில் மார்கழியில்
மான் விழி கலந்திட துடித்தேனே
Under the shade of the mango tree
Aaa...aaa... vocalizing...
Under the shade of the mango tree in the month of Margazhi
I yearned for my deer-like eyes to meet yours
Male: Under the shade of the mango tree in the month of Margazhi
I yearned for my deer-like eyes to meet yours
தனியே கிடந்து தவித்தேன்
தநிஸ தாநிப தாநிஸ
தளிருடல் தழுவிட சிலிர்த்தேன்
தாநிஸத நிஸமகரி தநிஸ
I suffered lying alone in solitude
Male: Swara solfege (Tha ni sa tha ni pa tha ni sa)
Female: I shivered in delight as my tender body was embraced
Male: Swara solfege (Thaa ni sa tha ni sa ma ga ri tha ni sa)
தனியே கிடந்து தவித்தேன்
தளிருடல் தழுவிட சிலிர்த்தேன்
இரு உயிர் இணைந்தபோது இன்பம் வந்து
மனமது மகிழ்ந்திட கனவுகள் மலர்ந்தது
இரு உயிர் இணைந்தபோது இன்பம் வந்து
இருவர் :
பறந்து பறந்து பறந்து மகிழ்ந்தது
I suffered lying alone in solitude
I shivered in delight as my tender body was embraced
When two souls united, happiness arrived
As the heart rejoiced, dreams blossomed
Male: When two souls united, happiness arrived
Both: Soaring, soaring, soaring high in joy
பல்லவியே சரணம் தந்ததடி சலனம்
பல்லவியே சரணம் உன் கீதம் தந்ததடி சலனம்
ஆஆ....ஆஆ....ஆஆ....பல்லவியே சரணம்
Oh refrain, refuge! It brought restlessness
Oh opening refrain, refuge...
Your song has brought an inner restlessness...
Aaa...aaa... oh opening refrain, refuge
தாமரை பொய்கை ஓரத்திலே
பூமழைச் சாரலின் ஈரத்திலே
தாமரை பொய்கை ஓரத்திலே
பூமழைச் சாரலின் ஈரத்திலே
At the edge of the lotus pond
In the moisture of a gentle flower rain drizzle
At the edge of the lotus pond
In the moisture of a gentle flower rain drizzle
தேடி உனை நான் காணாமல்
வாடிடும் ஓருயிர் ஆனேனே
தேடி உனை நான் காணாமல்
வாடிடும் ஓருயிர் ஆனேனே
Unable to find you after searching
I became a single soul, slowly fading away
Unable to find you after searching
I became a single soul, slowly fading away
கனியே கனியின் அமுதே
தகஜம் தகத ரிகஜம்
கனிந்திடும் கனியதன் சுவையே
தகிட தகதிமி கிடதஜம்
Oh sweet fruit, nectar of the fruit
Female: Rhythm syllables (Thagajam thagatha rigajam)
Male: The very sweetness of a ripening fruit
Female: Rhythm syllables (Thagida thagathimi kidathajam)
கனியே கனியின் அமுதே
கனிந்திடும் கனியதன் சுவையே
இசை உனை பிரிந்தபோது மகிழ்வதேது
இதயமும் துடிக்கிது இரு விழி கலங்குது
Oh sweet fruit, nectar of the fruit
The very sweetness of a ripening fruit
When separated from music, where is happiness?
The heart throbs and both eyes fill with tears
தகரித தனுக்கஜம்த ரினதஜம்தா
தகரிதா நகரிதா குதரிதா ஜகரிதா
கவி பொருள் விலகிடாது கலந்து போக
இசையில் நனைந்து இணைந்து மகிழவா
Rhythm syllables (Thagaritha thanukkajamtha...)
Rhythm syllables (Thagarithaa nagarithaa...)
Male: Without letting the poetic meaning drift away, let us blend
Shall I rejoice, soaked and merged into music?
பல்லவியே சரணம்
உன் கீதம் தந்ததடி சலனம்
ஆஆ....ஆஆ....ஆஆ....பல்லவியே சரணம்
Oh opening refrain, you are my refuge...
Your song has brought an inner restlessness...
Aaa...aaa... oh opening refrain, refuge
Aaa…aaa….aaa…aaa….aaa….
Aaa...aaa... vocalizing...
Pallaviyae saranam…..pallaviyae saranam
Oh opening refrain, you are my refuge... refuge...
Un geedham thanthathadi salanam…aa..aa…aa…
Your song has brought an inner restlessness... aa..aa..aa...
Male :Pallaviyae saranam
Male: Oh opening refrain, you are my refuge
Un geedham thanthathadi salanam…aa..aa…aa…
Your song has brought an inner restlessness... aa..aa..aa...
Female :Pallaviyae saranam un geedham
Female: Oh opening refrain, your song
Male :Thanthathadi salanam..
Male: Has brought an inner restlessness...
Mamara nizhalil
Under the shade of the mango tree
Aaa…aaa….aaa….aaa….
Aaa...aaa... vocalizing...
Mamara nizhalil maargazhiyil
Under the shade of the mango tree in the month of Margazhi
Maan vizhi kalanthida thudiththaenae
I yearned for my deer-like eyes to meet yours
Male :Mamara nizhalil maargazhiyil
Male: Under the shade of the mango tree in the month of Margazhi
Maan vizhi kalanthida thudiththaenae
I yearned for my deer-like eyes to meet yours
Thaniyae kidanthu thaviththaen
I suffered lying alone in solitude
Male :Thanisa thaanipa thaanisa
Male: Swara solfege (Tha ni sa tha ni pa tha ni sa)
Female :Thalirudal thazhuvida silirththaen
Female: I shivered in delight as my tender body was embraced
Male :Thaa ni sa tha ni sa ma ga ri tha ni sa
Male: Swara solfege (Thaa ni sa tha ni sa ma ga ri tha ni sa)
Thaniyae kidanthu thaviththaen
I suffered lying alone in solitude
Thalirudal thazhuvida silirththaen
I shivered in delight as my tender body was embraced
Iru uyir inainthapothu inbam vanthu
When two souls united, happiness arrived
Manamathu magizhnthida kanavugal malarnthathu
As the heart rejoiced, dreams blossomed
Male :Iru uyir inainthapothu inbam vanthu
Male: When two souls united, happiness arrived
Both :Paranthu paranthu paranthu magizhnthathu
Both: Soaring, soaring, soaring high in joy
Pallaviyae saranam thanthathadi salanam
Oh refrain, refuge! It brought restlessness
Pallaviyae saranam…..
Oh opening refrain, refuge...
Un geedham thanthathadi salanam…
Your song has brought an inner restlessness...
Aaa….aaa….aaaa….. pallaviyae saranam
Aaa...aaa... oh opening refrain, refuge
Thaamarai poigai oraththilae
At the edge of the lotus pond
Poomazhai saaralin eeraththilae
In the moisture of a gentle flower rain drizzle
Thaamarai poigai oraththilae
At the edge of the lotus pond
Poomazhai saaralin eeraththilae
In the moisture of a gentle flower rain drizzle
Thedi unai naan kaanamal
Unable to find you after searching
Vaadidum orruyir aanaenae
I became a single soul, slowly fading away
Thaedi unai naan kaanaamal
Unable to find you after searching
Vaadidum orruyir aanaenae
I became a single soul, slowly fading away
Kaniyae kaniyin amuthae
Oh sweet fruit, nectar of the fruit
Female :Thagajam thagatha rigajam
Female: Rhythm syllables (Thagajam thagatha rigajam)
Male :Kaninthidum kaniyathan suvaiyae
Male: The very sweetness of a ripening fruit
Female :Thagida thagathimi kidathajam
Female: Rhythm syllables (Thagida thagathimi kidathajam)
Kaniyae kaniyin amuthae
Oh sweet fruit, nectar of the fruit
Kaninthidum kaniyathan suvaiyae
The very sweetness of a ripening fruit
Isai unai pirinthapothu magizhvathaethu
When separated from music, where is happiness?
Idhayamum thudikkithu iru vizhi kalanguthu
The heart throbs and both eyes fill with tears
Thagaritha thanukkajamtha rinathajamthaa
Rhythm syllables (Thagaritha thanukkajamtha...)
Thagarithaa nagarithaa kudharithaa jagarithaa
Rhythm syllables (Thagarithaa nagarithaa...)
Male :Kavi porul vilagidaathu kalanthu poga
Male: Without letting the poetic meaning drift away, let us blend
Isaiyil nanainthu inainthu magizhavaa
Shall I rejoice, soaked and merged into music?
Pallaviyae saranam…..
Oh opening refrain, you are my refuge...
Un geedham thanthathadi salanam…
Your song has brought an inner restlessness...
Aaa….aaa….aaaa….. pallaviyae saranam
Aaa...aaa... oh opening refrain, refuge
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
The song 'Pallaviye Saranam' from the movie 'Oruvar Vaazhum Aalayam' is a soul-stirring classical melody that allegorizes love through musical terminology. The lovers address each other as the 'Pallavi' (the foundational refrain of a Carnatic composition) and 'Isai' (music), expressing how their souls are intertwined like lyrics and melody. They recall intimate memories shared in nature—under mango trees during the crisp Margazhi winter and near lotus ponds—where their longing turned into ecstasy upon uniting. The second half explores the pain of separation, comparing a life without the beloved to music deprived of rhythm and melody. Woven with Carnatic swara passages and rhythmically intricate konnakol/solkattu, the lyrics celebrate the harmony of two hearts coming together in poetic and musical synthesis.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Rupaka Alankara (Metaphor)
“Pallaviyae saranam.....pallaviyae saranam / Un geedham thanthathadi salanam”
The beloved is metaphorically addressed as 'Pallavi' (refrain) and 'Geedham' (music), comparing love to a musical composition.
Upama (Simile / Imagery)
“Maan vizhi kalanthida thudiththaenae”
Uses 'Maan vizhi' (deer-like eyes) as a classical Tamil simile to represent beauty and innocence.
Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Thaniyae kidanthu thaviththaen / Thalirudal thazhuvida silirththaen”
Repetition of initial consonant sounds ('Th' in 'Thaniyae' and 'Thalirudal').
Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Iru uyir inainthapothu inbam vanthu / Paranthu paranthu paranthu magizhnthathu”
Matching second letter consonant sound ('ru' in 'Iru' and 'Paranthu').
Solkattu / Konnakol Integration
“Thagida thagathimi kidathajam”
Rhythmic percussion syllables integrated into lyrical composition to heighten musicality.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, 'Pallaviye Saranam' is set in a Carnatic classical framework (predominantly based on Raga Keeravani / Kalyani nuances) featuring intricate swara duets and solkattu recited by S. Janaki alongside S. P. Balasubrahmanyam. It remains one of the finest musical-themed Tamil songs of the late 1980s.
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