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Lyrics & meaning

Solai Malar Oliyo

From Naam Iruvar – 1947 Film · 1947

Lyricist
Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyaar
Singers
T. R. Mahalingam, T. S. Bagavathi
Music director
R. Sudharsanam
Details
Naam Iruvar – 1947 Film1947

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Solai malar oliyoooIs it the light of a garden flower?
Solai malar oliyooo unadhuIs it the radiance of a garden flower, your
Sundhara punnagai thaan aa aa aa aaaBeautiful smile indeed? Ah...
Solai malar oliyooo unadhuIs it the light of a garden flower, your
Sundhara punnagai thaanBeautiful smile indeed?
Neela kadal alaiyae kannammaaLike the waves of the blue sea, oh Kannamma!
Neela kadal alaiyae kannammaaLike the waves of the blue sea, oh Kannamma!
Neela kadal alaiyae unadhuLike the waves of the blue sea are
Nenjin alaigaladi kannamaaThe waves of your heart, my Kannamma!
Nenjin alaigaladi kannamaaThe waves of your heart, my Kannamma!
Female
Kannil theriyuthoru thottram adhilIn the vision that appears before my eyes,
Kannan azhagu muzhuthillaiThe beauty of Lord Krishna is not complete.
En kannil theriyuthoru thottram adhilIn the vision that appears before my eyes,
Kannan azhagu muzhuthillaiThe beauty of Lord Krishna is not complete.
Nannum muga vadivai kaannilWhen I look at the approaching form of the face,
Nannum muga vadivai kaannilWhen I look at the approaching form of the face,
Andha nalla malar sirippai kaanoommI miss that fine, flower-like smile.
Nannum muga vadivai kaannilWhen I look at the approaching form of the face,
Andha nalla malar sirippai kaanoommI miss that fine, flower-like smile.
En kannil theriyuthoru thottram adhilIn the vision that appears before my eyes,
Kannan azhagu muzhuthillaiThe beauty of Lord Krishna is not complete.
Male
Vennilavu nee enakkuYou are the full white moon to me,
Maevu kadal naan unakkuI am the surging ocean to you.
Vennilavu nee enakkuYou are the full white moon to me,
Maevu kadal naan unakkuI am the surging ocean to you.
Pannu sudhi nee enakkuYou are the fundamental musical pitch to me,
Paatinimai naan unakkuI am the sweetness of the song to you.
Pannu sudhi nee enakkuYou are the fundamental musical pitch to me,
Paatinimai naan unakkuI am the sweetness of the song to you.
Enni enni paarthidiloorWhen I reflect upon it over and over,
Aa….aa….aa….aa….aa….aa…aa…Ah... ah... ah...
Aa….aa….aa….aa….aa….Ah... ah... ah...
Enni enni paarthidiloorWhen I reflect upon it over and over,
Ennam illai nin suvaikkaeThere is no measure to your sweetness.
Enni enni paarthidiloorWhen I reflect upon it over and over,
Ennam illai nin suvaikkaeThere is no measure to your sweetness.
Kannin mani pondravalaeOh beloved who is like the pupil of my eye,
Katti amudhae kannammaOh solidified nectar, my Kannamma!
Male
Vennilavu nee enakkuYou are the full white moon to me,
Maevu kadal naan unakkuI am the surging ocean to you.
Vennilavu nee kannammaaYou are the full white moon, Kannamma!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic devotional-romantic poem by Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyar expresses intense love and spiritual devotion for 'Kannamma', who represents both his beloved and the divine persona of Lord Krishna. The poet equates her enchanting smile to radiant garden flowers and her inner feelings to the restless waves of the ocean. He reflects on how any visual representation or idol of Krishna remains incomplete without capturing her innocent, flower-like smile.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Vennilavu nee enakku / Maevu kadal naan unakku

Directly equates the beloved to nature and musical elements (moon, ocean, pitch, song's sweetness).

Anaphora / Repetition

Enni enni paarthidiloor

Repeated phrasing 'Enni enni paarthidiloor' emphasizes deep contemplation and reflection.

Uvamai (Simile)

Kannin mani pondravalae

Compares the beloved's preciousness to the pupil of the eye ('Kannin mani pondravalae').

Did you know?

Trivia

This track features verses from Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyar's famous 'Kannamma' song series. 'Naam Iruvar' (1947), produced by AVM Productions, was pivotal in introducing Bharathiyar's nationalistic and romantic poetry to mainstream South Indian cinema around the time of India's independence, with music scored by R. Sudarsanam.

Keep listening

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