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Lyrics & meaning

Sendhoor Murugan Kovilile Female

From Shanthi · 1965

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Details
Shanthi1965

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Sendhoor murugan kovililae oruAt the temple of Murugan in Tiruchendur,
Saedhiyai naan kaetten kaettenI heard a piece of news, I heard it.
Saeval koovum kaalai naeramAt the morning time when the rooster crows,
Paadalai naan kaettenI heard a song,
Paadalai naan kaettenI heard a song.
Female
Sendhoor murugan kovililae oruAt the temple of Murugan in Tiruchendur,
Saedhiyai naan kaetten kaettenI heard a piece of news, I heard it.
Saeval koovum kaalai naeramAt the morning time when the rooster crows,
Paadalai naan kaettenI heard a song,
Paadalai naan kaettenI heard a song.
Female
En iru kangal thoongiya podhuWhile my two eyes were sleeping,
Pen paarkka vandhaan ammaaHe came to see me as a bride, oh mother!
En iru kangal thoongiya podhuWhile my two eyes were sleeping,
Pen paarkka vandhaan ammaaHe came to see me as a bride, oh mother!
Pann iru kaiyil vaari anaithuEmbracing me in his twelve arms,
Pan paada vandhaan ammaaHe came to sing a sweet tune, oh mother!
Female
Sendhoor murugan kovililae oruAt the temple of Murugan in Tiruchendur,
Saedhiyai naan kaetten kaettenI heard a piece of news, I heard it.
Saeval koovum kaalai naeramAt the morning time when the rooster crows,
Paadalai naan kaettenI heard a song,
Paadalai naan kaettenI heard a song.
Female
Aaa…..aaa….aa….aa….aa…Aaa... aaa... aa... aa... aa...
Ho…ooo. ooo. ooo. ooooHo... ooo... ooo... ooo... oooo
Female
Konjum kumaranin azhagiya madiyilIn the beautiful lap of caressing Kumaran,
Kondaada varalaamaaMay I come to celebrate?
Konjum kumaranin azhagiya madiyilIn the beautiful lap of caressing Kumaran,
Kondaada varalaamaaMay I come to celebrate?
Kungumam sivandha kovai idhazhilOn the red lips like vermilion-flushed ivy gourd,
Ondraenum tharalaamaaMay I give at least one kiss?
Ondraenum tharalaamaaMay I give at least one kiss?
Female
Sendhoor murugan kovililae oruAt the temple of Murugan in Tiruchendur,
Saedhiyai naan kaetten kaettenI heard a piece of news, I heard it.
Saeval koovum kaalai naeramAt the morning time when the rooster crows,
Paadalai naan kaettenI heard a song,
Paadalai naan kaettenI heard a song.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Sendhoor Murugan Kovililae' is a classic Tamil song where devotional reverence merges seamlessly with romantic yearning (Nayaka-Nayaki bhava). Set against a tranquil dawn symbolized by the rooster's crow, the heroine recounts hearing a divine melody and auspicious news at Lord Murugan's temple in Tiruchendur. In her visionary dream, Lord Murugan himself approaches her as a suitor while she sleeps, wrapping her in his twelve arms and singing a song of love. As the song progresses, she expresses an intimate desire to celebrate on Lord Kumaran's lap and offer a kiss on red lips likened to crimson fruit. Lyricist Kannadasan draws upon ancient Sangam Akam conventions to express spiritual surrender through the language of human passion and affection.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Moonaai (Initial Alliteration)

Sendhoor murugan kovililae oru / Saedhiyai naan kaetten

Repetition of the initial consonant/vowel sound 'S' in 'Sendhoor', 'Saedhiyai', and 'Saeval'.

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

En iru kangal thoongiya podhu / Pann iru kaiyil vaari anaithu

Matching second consonant sound 'n' in 'En iru' and 'Pann iru'.

Simile / Metaphor (Upama)

Kungumam sivandha kovai idhazhil

Comparing soft red lips to 'kovai' (ivy gourd) and 'kungumam' (vermilion/red powder).

Anaphora (Repetition)

Paadalai naan kaetten

Rhythmic repetition of 'Paadalai naan kaetten' emphasizing the captivating nature of the dawn melody.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song comes from the 1965 Tamil movie 'Shanthi', starring Sivaji Ganesan and Devika. The music was composed by Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy, and the lyrics were penned by Kannadasan. Sung brilliantly by P. Susheela, it is celebrated for its integration of Murugan bhakti into classical Tamil film melody.

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