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Lyrics & meaning

Sugamana Ragam Suvaiyana

From Madhura Geetham · 1977

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, Seerkazhi Govindarajan
Music director
Chandrabose
Details
Madhura Geetham1977

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Sugamaana raagam suvaiyaana tamilpaattuA soothing ragam and a delicious Tamil song,
Noyi therkkum marundhallavaaIs it not a medicine that cures diseases?
Male
Padhamaaana yaazh meeti viral kattum vilaiyattuThe play of fingers plucking the gentle harp (yaazh),
Pasi theerkum amuthaana virunthallavaaIs it not a feast of nectar that satisfies hunger?
Male
Azhagaana kalai maadhu vaasikkum ezhil veenaiThe beautiful veena played by the goddess of arts,
Isaithamil nilaiyallavooIs it not the divine stature of Musical Tamil?
Azhagaana kalai maadhu vaasikkum ezhil veenaiThe beautiful veena played by the goddess of arts,
Isaithamil nilaiyallavooIs it not the divine stature of Musical Tamil?
Male
Aaa..aa…aanandha nadaraajar aadidum thiru koothu..aaaaAh... the sacred dance performed by Blissful Lord Nataraja... ah...
Carnatic :…………………………[Carnatic Music Interlude]
Male :Aanandha nadaraajar aadidum thiru koothuThe sacred dance performed by Blissful Lord Nataraja,
Pallaandu pallaandu kalaiyallavooIs it not an art form preserved for ages upon ages?
Male
Nandhiyin mathalam naaradha gaanamumThe drum played by Lord Nandi and the divine singing of Narada,
Namadhu Sangeedha thuvakamForm the very origin of our musical tradition.
Male
Naadagam aadum naattiyam indhaThis dance performed in dramatic storytelling,
Bhratham thandha pazhakkamIs an ancient habit and practice gifted by Bharata Muni.
Male
Moongilinullae kaatru vizhundhuWhen the wind enters into the hollow bamboo,
Ezhisai vadikkum gaana mayakkamIt shapes the seven notes into an enchanting musical trance.
Male
Merkkilum illai kizhakkilum illaiNeither in the West nor in the East,
Vadadhisai thendhisai kalaigalin ellaiNor across the northern or southern directions, is there any limit to these arts.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a grand celebration of Tamil music, classical dance, and fine arts, highlighting their profound spiritual and therapeutic powers. The lyricist equates music to medicine that heals bodily and mental afflictions and to a divine feast that satisfies spiritual hunger. It attributes the genesis of music and dance to divine and ancient origins—referencing Lord Nataraja's cosmic dance, Nandi's drum, Narada's singing, and Bharata Muni's natya shastra. Additionally, the song marvels at nature's intrinsic musical design, describing how wind blowing through hollow bamboo naturally creates the seven musical notes (Ezhisai). It concludes with a proud declaration that Tamil art and music transcend regional and geographical boundaries, remaining boundless and immortal across time.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvameyam)

Noyi therkkum marundhallavaa

Music is directly metaphorized as a healing medicine ('Noyi therkkum marundhu') and a hunger-quenching feast of nectar ('Pasi theerkum amuthaana virundhu').

Monaai / Alliteration (Tamil Prosody)

Sugamaana raagam suvaiyaana tamilpaattu

Repetition of initial consonant sounds ('Su-') in 'Sugamaana' and 'suvaiyaana' creates a melodious vocal flow (Monaai).

Mythological Allusion (Ilakkiya Kurippu)

Nandhiyin mathalam naaradha gaanamum

References divine figures like Lord Nataraja, Nandi, and Sage Narada to trace the sacred origins of Indian classical music and dance.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Madhura Geetham' (1977) featured music composed by Chandrabose in his early career. This classical composition stands out for bringing together two legendary Tamil playback singers—T.M. Soundarajan and Seerkazhi Govindarajan—in a grand duet written by Kaviarasu Kannadasan celebrating classical arts.

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