Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Sagara Sangamamthan

From Nalla Pambu · 1987

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
K. S. Chitra
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Nalla Pambu1987

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Saagara sangamamthaan harae krishnaaaIt is the confluence of oceans, Hare Krishna!
Sowntharya laahirithaan harae krishnaaaIt is the wave of beauty, Hare Krishna!
En moganamthaan krishnaar bhaanamthaanIt is my captivating Mohanam, Krishna's arrow!
Idho idho radhaHere, right here, is Radha!
Female
Saagara sangamamthaan harae krishnaaaIt is the confluence of oceans, Hare Krishna!
Sowntharya laahirithaan harae krishnaaaIt is the wave of beauty, Hare Krishna!
En moganamthaan krishnaar bhaanamthaanIt is my captivating Mohanam, Krishna's arrow!
Idho idho radhaHere, right here, is Radha!
Female
Venirkaalam vanthaalWhen summer arrives,
Intha viragam naragamaagumThis separation becomes hell.
Veppam yaera ammammaaAs the heat rises, oh my goodness,
Vasantham kasanthu pogumEven spring turns bitter.
Female
Somabhaanam oorum mellaThe divine nectar slowly oozes,
Sivantha idhazhin oramAt the edge of the reddened lips.
Undaal pothum bodhaithaanJust drinking it is enough, intoxication
Unakkum enakkum yaerumWill rise for both you and me.
Gangai irukku kaalam muzhukkaThe Ganges is present for all of time,
Kannan kudhiththu neechchal adikkaFor Krishna to jump in and swim.
Female
Saagara sangamamthaan harae krishnaaaIt is the confluence of oceans, Hare Krishna!
Sowntharya laahirithaan harae krishnaaaIt is the wave of beauty, Hare Krishna!
En moganamthaan krishnaar bhaanamthaanIt is my captivating Mohanam, Krishna's arrow!
Idho idho radhaHere, right here, is Radha!
Female
Koyil theril paarthenI saw on the temple chariot,
Inba kalaigal payilum kaatchiA sight of practicing joyful arts.
Sirpam koorum ellaamae madhana radhiyin aatchiEverything the sculpture speaks of is the reign of Kama and Rathi.
Rajabogam vaaikkum nalla raigan rasigai koodaRoyal luxury will be granted when the good lover and admirer unite,
Female
Vellam pola santhoshamHappiness like a flood
Vazhinthu vazhinthu odaOverflows and flows away.
Kannam irandum thiththithirukkaWhile both cheeks remain sweet,
Kannan udhadu muththam padhikkaFor Krishna's lips to imprint a kiss.
Female
Saagara sangamamthaan harae krishnaaaIt is the confluence of oceans, Hare Krishna!
Sowntharya laahirithaan harae krishnaaaIt is the wave of beauty, Hare Krishna!
En moganamthaan krishnaar bhaanamthaanIt is my captivating Mohanam, Krishna's arrow!
Idho idho radhaHere, right here, is Radha!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song expresses the intense romantic and sensual longing of Radha for Krishna, drawing allegorical imagery from classic Indian literature, mythology, and art. Radha compares her love and emotional state to majestic natural and divine occurrences like the confluence of oceans, the ocean of beauty (Soundarya Lahari), and the sacred Ganges. She describes how the anguish of separation turns summer into unbearable heat and renders spring bitter, but their romantic union brings nectar-like joy and divine intoxication. Using vivid imagery of temple chariot sculptures depicting Kamadeva and Rathi, the song celebrates romantic intimacy as a royal delight that overflows like a flood, inviting Krishna to seal their divine passion.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Saagara sangamamthaan harae krishnaaa

Comparing the spiritual and romantic union of lovers to the confluence of oceans ('Saagara sangamam').

Alliteration / Monai

Venirkaalam vanthaal

Repetition of the 'v' sound at the beginning of words ('Venirkaalam', 'viragam', 'Veppam', 'Vasantham').

Sensory Imagery

Somabhaanam oorum mella Sivantha idhazhin oram

Vivid taste and visual imagery describing divine nectar oozing at the corner of reddened lips.

Simile (Uvamai)

Vellam pola santhosham

Explicit comparison using 'pola' comparing joy overflowing to a river flood.

Did you know?

Trivia

Lyricist Vaali cleverly weaves titles of iconic classical references into the verse, such as 'Saagara Sangamam' (ocean confluence), 'Soundarya Lahari' (a famous literary work dedicated to goddess beauty), and 'Mohanam' (a popular Carnatic raga), layering classical art references into a romantic film song.

Keep listening

More from Nalla Pambu