Singara Punnagai
From Mahadevi · 1957
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Music director
- Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
- Details
- Mahadevi1957
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Singara punnagai kannara kandaalae | If you see the beautiful smile with your own eyes, |
| Sangeetha veenaiyum yedhukkama | Why do you even need a musical veena, dear? |
| Oooooooooooooo | Oooooooooooooo |
| Singara punnagai kannaara kandaalae | If you see the beautiful smile with your own eyes, |
| Sangeetha veenaiyum yedhukkama | Why do you even need a musical veena, dear? |
| Female | |
| Mangaatha kangalil maiyittu paarthalae | If you look into the unyielding eyes adorned with kohl, |
| Thangamum vairamum yedhukamma | Why do you need gold and diamonds, dear? |
| Mangaatha kangalil maiyittu paarthalae | If you look into the unyielding eyes adorned with kohl, |
| Thangamum vairamum yedhukamma | Why do you need gold and diamonds, dear? |
| Oooooooooooooo | Oooooooooooooo |
| Female | |
| Singara punnagai kannaara kandaalae | If you see the beautiful smile with your own eyes, |
| Sangeetha veenaiyum yedhukkama | Why do you even need a musical veena, dear? |
| Female | |
| Kannadi kananngal kaangindra velaiyil | When seeing those mirror-like cheeks, |
| Ennangal geetham paadumae ooooo | Thoughts begin to sing a song, ooooo |
| Female | |
| Kannadi kananngal kaangindra velaiyil | When seeing those mirror-like cheeks, |
| Ennangal geetham paadumae | Thoughts begin to sing a song. |
| Pesamal pesum puruvangal kandaal | If one beholds eyebrows that speak without words, |
| Female | |
| Pesaadha sirapamum yedhukamma | Why do you even need silent statues, dear? |
| Pesamal pesum puruvangal kandaal | If one beholds eyebrows that speak without words, |
| Pesaadha sirapamum yedhukamma | Why do you even need silent statues, dear? |
| Oooooooooooooo | Oooooooooooooo |
| Female | |
| Singara punnagai kannaara kandaalae | If you see the beautiful smile with your own eyes, |
| Sangeetha veenaiyum yedhukkama | Why do you even need a musical veena, dear? |
| Mangaatha kangalil maiyittu paarthalae | If you look into the unyielding eyes adorned with kohl, |
| Thangamum vairamum yedhukamma | Why do you need gold and diamonds, dear? |
| Chorus | |
| Aaaa.aaaaaaaaaaaaa…(2) | Aaaa... aaaaaaaaaaaaa... |
| Female | |
| Selvamae en jeevanae | My treasure, my life! |
| Selvamae en jeevanae | My treasure, my life! |
| Chorus | |
| Engal chozha mannilae vandha inba vellamae | Oh flood of joy that arrived in our Chola land! |
| Engal chozha mannilae vandha inba vellamae | Oh flood of joy that arrived in our Chola land! |
| Female | |
| Selvamae en jeevanae | My treasure, my life! |
| Selvamae en jeevanae | My treasure, my life! |
| Aadum kodiya naagangalum | Even the dancing, venomous cobras, |
| Asaindhu varum neram | When they sway and come near, |
| Un azhagu mugam kandu kondaal | If they behold your beautiful face, |
| Anbu kondu maarum | They turn affectionate! |
| Chorus :Anbu kondu maarum | Chorus: They turn affectionate! |
| Anbu kondu maarum | They turn affectionate! |
| Female | |
| Aadum kodiya naagangalum | Even the dancing, venomous cobras, |
| Asaindhu varum neram | When they sway and come near, |
| Un azhagu mugam kandu kondaal | If they behold your beautiful face, |
| Anbu kondu maarum | They turn affectionate! |
| Chorus :Anbu kondu maarum | Chorus: They turn affectionate! |
| Anbu kondu maarum | They turn affectionate! |
| Selvamae engal jeevanae | Our treasure, our life! |
| Engal selvamae engal jeevanae | Our treasure, our life! |
| Female | |
| Thanmaana selvangal vaazhgindra boomiyil | In this land where self-respecting treasures dwell, |
| Vil yendhum veeran polavae | Like a hero wielding a bow, |
| Ye ye ye ye ye ye ye ye ye | Ye ye ye ye ye ye ye ye ye |
| Both :Thanmaana selvangal vaazhgindra boomiyil | Both: In this land where self-respecting treasures dwell, |
| Vil yendhum veeran polavae | Like a hero wielding a bow, |
| Maganae nee vandhaai | Oh son, you have arrived, |
| Mazhalai sol thandhaai | You gave us sweet baby talk, |
| Vaazhnaalil ver enna vendumammaa | What else could we ever need in life, dear? |
| Chorus :Maganae nee vandhaai | Chorus: Oh son, you have arrived, |
| Mazhalai sol thandhaai | You gave us sweet baby talk, |
| Vaazhnaalil ver enna vendumammaa | What else could we ever need in life, dear? |
| Female | |
| Mangaatha kangalil maiyittu paarthalae | If you look into the unyielding eyes adorned with kohl, |
| Thangamum vairamum yedhukamma | Why do you need gold and diamonds, dear? |
சிங்காரப் புன்னகை கண்ணாரக் கண்டாலே
சங்கீத வீணையும் ஏதுக்கமா
ஓஓஓஓஓஓஓஓஓஓஓ
சிங்காரப் புன்னகை கண்ணாரக் கண்டாலே
சங்கீத வீணையும் ஏதுக்கம்மா
If you see the beautiful smile with your own eyes,
Why do you even need a musical veena, dear?
Oooooooooooooo
If you see the beautiful smile with your own eyes,
Why do you even need a musical veena, dear?
மங்காத கண்களில் மையிட்டுப் பார்த்தாலே
தங்கமும் வைரமும் ஏதுக்கம்மா
மங்காத கண்களில் மையிட்டுப் பார்த்தாலே
தங்கமும் வைரமும் ஏதுக்கம்மா
ஓஓஓஓஓஓஓஓஓ
If you look into the unyielding eyes adorned with kohl,
Why do you need gold and diamonds, dear?
If you look into the unyielding eyes adorned with kohl,
Why do you need gold and diamonds, dear?
Oooooooooooooo
சிங்காரப் புன்னகை கண்ணாரக் கண்டாலே
சங்கீத வீணையும் ஏதுக்கமா
If you see the beautiful smile with your own eyes,
Why do you even need a musical veena, dear?
கண்ணாடிக் கன்னங்கள் காண்கின்ற வேளையில்
எண்ணங்கள் கீதம் பாடுமே ஓஓஓஓஓ
When seeing those mirror-like cheeks,
Thoughts begin to sing a song, ooooo
கண்ணாடிக் கன்னங்கள் காண்கின்ற வேளையில்
எண்ணங்கள் கீதம் பாடுமே
பேசாமல் பேசும் புருவங்கள் கண்டால்
When seeing those mirror-like cheeks,
Thoughts begin to sing a song.
If one beholds eyebrows that speak without words,
பேசாத சிற்பமும் ஏதுக்கம்மா
பேசாமல் பேசும் புருவங்கள் கண்டால்
பேசாத சிற்பமும் ஏதுக்கம்மா
ஓஓஓஓஓஓஓஓஓ
Why do you even need silent statues, dear?
If one beholds eyebrows that speak without words,
Why do you even need silent statues, dear?
Oooooooooooooo
சிங்காரப் புன்னகை கண்ணாரக் கண்டாலே
சங்கீத வீணையும் ஏதுக்கமா
மங்காத கண்களில் மையிட்டுப் பார்த்தாலே
தங்கமும் வைரமும் ஏதுக்கம்மா
If you see the beautiful smile with your own eyes,
Why do you even need a musical veena, dear?
If you look into the unyielding eyes adorned with kohl,
Why do you need gold and diamonds, dear?
ஆஆஆஆஆஆஆ...(2)
Aaaa... aaaaaaaaaaaaa...
செல்வமே என் ஜீவனே
செல்வமே என் ஜீவனே
My treasure, my life!
My treasure, my life!
எங்கள் சோழ மண்ணிலே வந்த இன்ப வெள்ளமே
எங்கள் சோழ மண்ணிலே வந்த இன்ப வெள்ளமே
Oh flood of joy that arrived in our Chola land!
Oh flood of joy that arrived in our Chola land!
செல்வமே என் ஜீவனே
செல்வமே என் ஜீவனே
ஆடும் கொடிய நாகங்களும் அசைந்து வரும் நேரம்
உன் அழகு முகம் கண்டு கொண்டால்
அன்பு கொண்டு மாறும்
My treasure, my life!
My treasure, my life!
Even the dancing, venomous cobras,
When they sway and come near,
If they behold your beautiful face,
They turn affectionate!
Chorus: They turn affectionate!
They turn affectionate!
அன்பு கொண்டு மாறும்
அன்பு கொண்டு மாறும்
Even the dancing, venomous cobras,
When they sway and come near,
If they behold your beautiful face,
They turn affectionate!
Chorus: They turn affectionate!
They turn affectionate!
Our treasure, our life!
Our treasure, our life!
ஆடும் கொடிய நாகங்களும் அசைந்து வரும் நேரம்
உன் அழகு முகம் கண்டு கொண்டால்
அன்பு கொண்டு மாறும்
In this land where self-respecting treasures dwell,
Like a hero wielding a bow,
Ye ye ye ye ye ye ye ye ye
Both: In this land where self-respecting treasures dwell,
Like a hero wielding a bow,
Oh son, you have arrived,
You gave us sweet baby talk,
What else could we ever need in life, dear?
Chorus: Oh son, you have arrived,
You gave us sweet baby talk,
What else could we ever need in life, dear?
அன்பு கொண்டு மாறும்
அன்பு கொண்டு மாறும்
செல்வமே எங்கள் ஜீவனே
எங்கள் செல்வமே எங்கள் ஜீவனே
If you look into the unyielding eyes adorned with kohl,
Why do you need gold and diamonds, dear?
தன்மான செல்வங்கள் வாழ்கின்ற பூமியில்
வில்லேந்தும் வீரன் போலவே
ஏஏஏஏஏஏஏஏஏஏஏஏஏஏ
பெண்கள் :
தன்மான செல்வங்கள் வாழ்கின்ற பூமியில்
வில்லேந்தும் வீரன் போலவே
மகனே நீ வந்தாய்
மழலை சொல் தந்தாய்
வாழ்நாளில் வேறென்ன வேண்டுமம்மா
மகனே நீ வந்தாய்
மழலை சொல் தந்தாய்
வாழ்நாளில் வேறென்ன வேண்டுமம்மா
பெண்கள் :
ஓஓஓஓஓஓஓஓஓஓ
சிங்காரப் புன்னகை கண்ணாரக் கண்டாலே
சங்கீத வீணையும் ஏதுக்கமா
மங்காத கண்களில் மையிட்டுப் பார்த்தாலே
தங்கமும் வைரமும் ஏதுக்கம்மா
பெண்கள் :
ஓஓஓஓஓஓஓஓஓஓ
அனைவரும் :
சிங்காரப் புன்னகை கண்ணாரக் கண்டாலே
சங்கீத வீணையும் ஏதுக்கம்மா
Singara punnagai kannara kandaalae
If you see the beautiful smile with your own eyes,
Sangeetha veenaiyum yedhukkama
Why do you even need a musical veena, dear?
Oooooooooooooo
Oooooooooooooo
Singara punnagai kannaara kandaalae
If you see the beautiful smile with your own eyes,
Sangeetha veenaiyum yedhukkama
Why do you even need a musical veena, dear?
Mangaatha kangalil maiyittu paarthalae
If you look into the unyielding eyes adorned with kohl,
Thangamum vairamum yedhukamma
Why do you need gold and diamonds, dear?
Mangaatha kangalil maiyittu paarthalae
If you look into the unyielding eyes adorned with kohl,
Thangamum vairamum yedhukamma
Why do you need gold and diamonds, dear?
Oooooooooooooo
Oooooooooooooo
Singara punnagai kannaara kandaalae
If you see the beautiful smile with your own eyes,
Sangeetha veenaiyum yedhukkama
Why do you even need a musical veena, dear?
Kannadi kananngal kaangindra velaiyil
When seeing those mirror-like cheeks,
Ennangal geetham paadumae ooooo
Thoughts begin to sing a song, ooooo
Kannadi kananngal kaangindra velaiyil
When seeing those mirror-like cheeks,
Ennangal geetham paadumae
Thoughts begin to sing a song.
Pesamal pesum puruvangal kandaal
If one beholds eyebrows that speak without words,
Pesaadha sirapamum yedhukamma
Why do you even need silent statues, dear?
Pesamal pesum puruvangal kandaal
If one beholds eyebrows that speak without words,
Pesaadha sirapamum yedhukamma
Why do you even need silent statues, dear?
Oooooooooooooo
Oooooooooooooo
Singara punnagai kannaara kandaalae
If you see the beautiful smile with your own eyes,
Sangeetha veenaiyum yedhukkama
Why do you even need a musical veena, dear?
Mangaatha kangalil maiyittu paarthalae
If you look into the unyielding eyes adorned with kohl,
Thangamum vairamum yedhukamma
Why do you need gold and diamonds, dear?
Aaaa.aaaaaaaaaaaaa…(2)
Aaaa... aaaaaaaaaaaaa...
Selvamae en jeevanae
My treasure, my life!
Selvamae en jeevanae
My treasure, my life!
Engal chozha mannilae vandha inba vellamae
Oh flood of joy that arrived in our Chola land!
Engal chozha mannilae vandha inba vellamae
Oh flood of joy that arrived in our Chola land!
Selvamae en jeevanae
My treasure, my life!
Selvamae en jeevanae
My treasure, my life!
Aadum kodiya naagangalum
Even the dancing, venomous cobras,
Asaindhu varum neram
When they sway and come near,
Un azhagu mugam kandu kondaal
If they behold your beautiful face,
Anbu kondu maarum
They turn affectionate!
Chorus :Anbu kondu maarum
Chorus: They turn affectionate!
Anbu kondu maarum
They turn affectionate!
Aadum kodiya naagangalum
Even the dancing, venomous cobras,
Asaindhu varum neram
When they sway and come near,
Un azhagu mugam kandu kondaal
If they behold your beautiful face,
Anbu kondu maarum
They turn affectionate!
Chorus :Anbu kondu maarum
Chorus: They turn affectionate!
Anbu kondu maarum
They turn affectionate!
Selvamae engal jeevanae
Our treasure, our life!
Engal selvamae engal jeevanae
Our treasure, our life!
Thanmaana selvangal vaazhgindra boomiyil
In this land where self-respecting treasures dwell,
Vil yendhum veeran polavae
Like a hero wielding a bow,
Ye ye ye ye ye ye ye ye ye
Ye ye ye ye ye ye ye ye ye
Both :Thanmaana selvangal vaazhgindra boomiyil
Both: In this land where self-respecting treasures dwell,
Vil yendhum veeran polavae
Like a hero wielding a bow,
Maganae nee vandhaai
Oh son, you have arrived,
Mazhalai sol thandhaai
You gave us sweet baby talk,
Vaazhnaalil ver enna vendumammaa
What else could we ever need in life, dear?
Chorus :Maganae nee vandhaai
Chorus: Oh son, you have arrived,
Mazhalai sol thandhaai
You gave us sweet baby talk,
Vaazhnaalil ver enna vendumammaa
What else could we ever need in life, dear?
Mangaatha kangalil maiyittu paarthalae
If you look into the unyielding eyes adorned with kohl,
Thangamum vairamum yedhukamma
Why do you need gold and diamonds, dear?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This classic song from Mahadevi (1957) is a deeply affectionate lullaby celebrating the birth and beauty of a child. Lyricist Kannadasan poetically asserts that witnessing the baby's enchanting smile, radiant cheeks, expressive eyebrows, and kohl-lined eyes renders worldly luxuries like music, gold, diamonds, and fine sculptures obsolete. The joy brought by the child surpasses all material treasures. In the second half, the child is celebrated as a blessed arrival in the historic Chola region. The lyrics hyperbolically note that even lethal, swaying serpents soften into affection upon gazing at the baby's charming face. Envisioning the child growing into a bow-wielding hero of high self-respect, the song concludes that the sweet babble of a child fulfills all purpose and desire in a parent's life.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Singara punnagai ... Sangeetha veenaiyum”
Matching first sound 'Si' in consecutive words creates melodic rhythm.
Edugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Mangaatha kangalil ... Thangamum vairamum”
Second letter consonant sound 'ng' rhymes between 'Mangaatha' and 'Thangamum'.
Hyperbole (Atisayokti)
“Aadum kodiya naagangalum ... Un azhagu mugam kandu kondaal Anbu kondu maarum”
Exaggeration that even fierce, dancing cobras lose their venomous nature and turn loving upon seeing the child's face.
Rhetorical Question
“Vaazhnaalil ver enna vendumammaa”
A question used to emphasize complete emotional fulfillment, implying nothing more could possibly be needed.
Did you know?
Trivia
Mahadevi (1957) starred M. G. Ramachandran and Savitri. The soundtrack by Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy features this timeless lullaby sung as a duet by M. S. Rajeswari and R. Balasaraswathi Devi, which remains one of Tamil cinema's most revered mother-and-child melodies.
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