Yezhu Swarangalukkul
From Apoorva Raagangal · 1975
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- Vani Jairam
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Apoorva Raagangal1975
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Aaa…..aaa….aaa…aaa…. | Ah… ah… ah… ah… |
| Haa….aaa…aa..aaa..aaa…aa. | Ha… ah… ah… ah… ah… ah… |
| Haaaaa…aaa…aaa…haaa…aaa…aaa.. | Hah… ah… ah… ha… ah… ah… |
| Haa….aaa…aaa….aaa….aaa…aaa… | Ha… ah… ah… ah… ah… ah… |
| Female | |
| Ezhu swarangalukkul | Within the seven musical notes, |
| Ethanai paadal | How many songs exist! |
| Ezhu swarangalukkul | Within the seven musical notes, |
| Ethanai paadal | How many songs exist! |
| Idhaya churangathul | Inside the mine of the heart, |
| Ethanai kelvi | How many questions lie! |
| Female | |
| Ezhu swarangalukkul | Within the seven musical notes, |
| Ethanai paadal | How many songs exist! |
| Idhaya churangathul | Inside the mine of the heart, |
| Ethanai kelvi | How many questions lie! |
| Kaanum manidharukkul | Within the people we see around, |
| Ethanai salanam | How much inner turmoil! |
| Female | |
| Kaanum manidharukkul | Within the people we see around, |
| Ethanai salanam verum | How much inner turmoil, merely |
| Karpanai sandhoshathil | In imaginary happiness |
| Avanadhu gavanam | Lies their attention. |
| Karpanai sandhoshathil | In imaginary happiness |
| Avanadhu gavanam…mmm… | Lies their attention… mmm… |
| Ezhu swarangalukkul | Within the seven musical notes, |
| Ethanai paadal | How many songs exist! |
| Haaa…aaa….aaa…aa.a..haaa…aaa…aa…. | Hah… ah… ah… ah… hah… ah… ah… |
| Female | |
| Kaalai ezhundhavudan | As soon as waking up in the morning, |
| Naalaiya kelvi…eee….eee…ee… | There arises a question about tomorrow… ee… ee… |
| Haaa….aaa….aaa….aaa….aaa…. | Hah… ah… ah… ah… ah… |
| Female | |
| Kaalai ezhundhavudan | As soon as waking up in the morning, |
| Naalaiya kelvi adhu | That question about tomorrow— |
| Kaiyil kidaitha pinnum | Even after getting what was sought in hand, |
| Thudikkudhu aavi | The soul keeps trembling with anxiety. |
| Kaiyil kidaitha pinnum | Even after getting what was sought in hand, |
| Thudikkudhu aavi | The soul keeps trembling with anxiety. |
| Female | |
| Yen endra kelvi ondru | The question 'Why?' |
| Endraikkum thangum | Will remain forever. |
| Yen endra kelvi ondru | The question 'Why?' |
| Endraikkum thangum manidhan | Will remain forever; for a human, |
| Inbam thunbam edhilum | In joy or in sorrow, |
| Kelvidhaan minjum | Only the question remains at the end. |
| Inbam thunbam edhilum | In joy or in sorrow, |
| Kelvidhaan minjum | Only the question remains at the end. |
| Female | |
| Ezhu swarangalukkul | Within the seven musical notes, |
| Ethanai paadal….lllll…. | How many songs exist! |
| Female | |
| Enakkaaga nee azhalaam | You may weep for my sake, |
| Iyarkkaiyil nadakkum | That happens naturally in life. |
| Haaa…aaa….aaa…aa.a..haaa…aaa…aa…. | Hah… ah… ah… ah… hah… ah… ah… |
| Female | |
| Enakkaaga nee azhalaam | You may weep for my sake, |
| Iyarkkaiyil nadakkum | That happens naturally in life. |
| Nee enakkaaga unavu unda | If you eat food on my behalf, |
| Eppadi nadakkum | How can that nourish me? |
| Namakkendru boomiyilae | For us on this earth, |
| Kadamaigal undu adhil | Duties exist; in those, |
| Namakkaaga nam kaiyaal | Doing them for ourselves with our own hands |
| Seivadhu nandru | Is what is truly good. |
| Namakkaaga nam kaiyaal | Doing them for ourselves with our own hands |
| Seivadhu nandru | Is what is truly good. |
| Female | |
| Ezhu swarangalukkul | Within the seven musical notes, |
| Ethanai paadal…. | How many songs exist! |
| Female | |
| Aarambathin pirappum | The birth of your beginning |
| Un kaiyil illai…eee…eee… | Is not in your hands… ee… ee… |
| Haaa…aaa….aaa…aa.a..haaa…aaa…aa…. | Hah… ah… ah… ah… hah… ah… ah… |
| Female | |
| Aarambathin pirappum | The birth of your beginning |
| Un kaiyil illai | Is not in your hands. |
| Endrum aduthadutha nadappum | And what happens step by step |
| Un kaiyil illai | Is also not in your hands. |
| Paadhai vagutha pinbu | Once the path has been carved out, |
| Bayandhenna laabam | What is the gain in being afraid? |
| Paadhai vagutha pinbu | Once the path has been carved out, |
| Bayandhenna laabam adhil | What is the gain in being afraid? Upon it, |
| Payanam nadathividu | Just carry on the journey, |
| Maraindhidum paavam | And sins/sufferings will vanish away. |
| Payanam nadathividu | Just carry on the journey, |
| Maraindhidum paavam | And sins/sufferings will vanish away. |
| Female | |
| Ezhu swarangalukkul | Within the seven musical notes, |
| Ethanai paadal…. | How many songs exist! |
| Female | |
| Naalai pozhuthu endrum | May tomorrow's time always |
| Namakena vaazhga adhai | Be lived for our purpose; to guide it, |
| Nadatha oruvan undu kovilil kaanga | There is Someone—see Him in the temple. |
| Naalai pozhuthu endrum | May tomorrow's time always |
| Namakena vaazhga adhai | Be lived for our purpose; to guide it, |
| Nadatha oruvan undu kovilil kaanga | There is Someone—see Him in the temple. |
| Female | |
| Velai thiruppam endru | That a turn of time will come, |
| Nambikkai kolga… | Keep your faith… |
| Velai thiruppam endru | That a turn of time will come, |
| Nambikkai kolga endha | Keep your faith; any |
| Vedhanaiyum maarum megathai pola | Agony will pass away like a cloud. |
| Vedhanaiyum maarum megathai pola | Agony will pass away like a cloud. |
| Female | |
| Ezhu swarangalukkul | Within the seven musical notes, |
| Ethanai paadal | How many songs exist! |
| Idhaya churangathul | Inside the mine of the heart, |
| Ethanai kelvi | How many questions lie! |
| Kaanum manidharukkul | Within the people we see around, |
| Ethanai salanam verum | How much inner turmoil, merely |
| Karpanai sandhoshathil | In imaginary happiness |
| Avanadhu gavanam | Lies their attention. |
| Female | |
| Ezhu swarangalukkul | Within the seven musical notes, |
| Ethanai paadal | How many songs exist! |
| Haaa…aaa….aaa…aa.a..haaa…aaa…aa…. | Hah… ah… ah… ah… hah… ah… ah… |
| Haaa…aaa….aaa…aa.a..haaa…aaa…aa…. | Hah… ah… ah… ah… hah… ah… ah… |
ஆஅ.....ஆஅ....ஆஅ....ஆஅ.....
ஹா.....ஆஅ.....ஆஅ....ஆஅ....ஆஅ....ஆஅ....
ஹாஆ.......ஆஅ....ஆஅ....ஹா..ஆஅ....ஆஅ...
ஹா.....ஆஅ.....ஆஅ....ஆஅ....ஆஅ....
Ah… ah… ah… ah…
Ha… ah… ah… ah… ah… ah…
Hah… ah… ah… ha… ah… ah…
Ha… ah… ah… ah… ah… ah…
ஏழு ஸ்வரங்களுக்குள்
எத்தனை பாடல்
ஏழு ஸ்வரங்களுக்குள்
எத்தனை பாடல்
இதயச் சுரங்கத்துள்
எத்தனை கேள்வி
Within the seven musical notes,
How many songs exist!
Within the seven musical notes,
How many songs exist!
Inside the mine of the heart,
How many questions lie!
ஏழு ஸ்வரங்களுக்குள்
எத்தனை பாடல்
இதயச் சுரங்கத்துள்
எத்தனை கேள்வி
காணும் மனிதருக்குள்
எத்தனை சலனம்
Within the seven musical notes,
How many songs exist!
Inside the mine of the heart,
How many questions lie!
Within the people we see around,
How much inner turmoil!
காணும் மனிதருக்குள்
எத்தனை சலனம் வெறும்
கற்பனை சந்தோஷத்தில்
அவனது கவனம்...ம்ம்ம்....
ஏழு ஸ்வரங்களுக்குள்
எத்தனை பாடல்
ஹா.....ஆஅ.....ஆஅ....ஆஅ.....
ஹா....ஆஅ....ஆ....
Within the people we see around,
How much inner turmoil, merely
In imaginary happiness
Lies their attention.
In imaginary happiness
Lies their attention… mmm…
Within the seven musical notes,
How many songs exist!
Hah… ah… ah… ah… hah… ah… ah…
காலை எழுந்தவுடன்
நாளைய கேள்வி அது
ஹா.....ஆஅ.....ஆஅ....ஆஅ.....
ஹா....ஆஅ....ஆ....
As soon as waking up in the morning,
There arises a question about tomorrow… ee… ee…
Hah… ah… ah… ah… ah…
காலை எழுந்தவுடன்
நாளைய கேள்வி அது
கையில் கிடைத்த பின்னும்
துடிக்குது ஆவி
கையில் கிடைத்த பின்னும்
துடிக்குது ஆவி
As soon as waking up in the morning,
That question about tomorrow—
Even after getting what was sought in hand,
The soul keeps trembling with anxiety.
Even after getting what was sought in hand,
The soul keeps trembling with anxiety.
ஏன் என்ற கேள்வி ஒன்று
என்றைக்கும் தங்கும்
ஏன் என்ற கேள்வி ஒன்று
என்றைக்கும் தங்கும் மனிதன்
இன்பம் துன்பம் எதிலும்
கேள்விதான் மிஞ்சும்
இன்பம் துன்பம் எதிலும்
கேள்விதான் மிஞ்சும்
The question 'Why?'
Will remain forever.
The question 'Why?'
Will remain forever; for a human,
In joy or in sorrow,
Only the question remains at the end.
In joy or in sorrow,
Only the question remains at the end.
ஏழு ஸ்வரங்களுக்குள்
எத்தனை பாடல்.....ல்ல்ல்ல்.....
Within the seven musical notes,
How many songs exist!
எனக்காக நீ அழலாம்
இயற்கையில் நடக்கும்
ஹா.....ஆஅ.....ஆஅ....ஆஅ...
ஹா....ஆ...ஆஅ....
You may weep for my sake,
That happens naturally in life.
Hah… ah… ah… ah… hah… ah… ah…
எனக்காக நீ அழலாம்
இயற்கையில் நடக்கும்
நீ எனக்காக உணவு உண்ட
எப்படி நடக்கும்
நமக்கென்று பூமியிலே
கடமைகள் உண்டு அதில்
நமக்காக நம் கையால்
செய்வது நன்று
நமக்காக நம் கையால்
செய்வது நன்று
You may weep for my sake,
That happens naturally in life.
If you eat food on my behalf,
How can that nourish me?
For us on this earth,
Duties exist; in those,
Doing them for ourselves with our own hands
Is what is truly good.
Doing them for ourselves with our own hands
Is what is truly good.
ஏழு ஸ்வரங்களுக்குள்
எத்தனை பாடல்.....
Within the seven musical notes,
How many songs exist!
ஆரம்பத்தின் பிறப்பும்
உன் கையில் இல்லை....ஈ......ஈ....
ஹா.....ஆஅ.....ஆஅ....ஆஅ...
ஹா....ஆ...ஆஅ....
The birth of your beginning
Is not in your hands… ee… ee…
Hah… ah… ah… ah… hah… ah… ah…
ஆரம்பத்தின் பிறப்பும்
உன் கையில் இல்லை
என்றும் அடுத்தடுத்த நடப்பும்
உன் கையில் இல்லை
பாதை வகுத்த பின்பு
பயந்தென்ன லாபம் அதில்
பயணம் நடத்திவிடு
மறைந்திடும் பாவம்
பயணம் நடத்திவிடு
மறைந்திடும் பாவம்
The birth of your beginning
Is not in your hands.
And what happens step by step
Is also not in your hands.
Once the path has been carved out,
What is the gain in being afraid?
Once the path has been carved out,
What is the gain in being afraid? Upon it,
Just carry on the journey,
And sins/sufferings will vanish away.
Just carry on the journey,
And sins/sufferings will vanish away.
ஏழு ஸ்வரங்களுக்குள்
எத்தனை பாடல்.....
Within the seven musical notes,
How many songs exist!
நாளைப் பொழுது என்றும்
நமக்கென வாழ்க அதை
நடத்த ஒருவன் உண்டு கோவிலில் காண்க
நாளைப் பொழுது என்றும்
நமக்கென வாழ்க அதை
நடத்த ஒருவன் உண்டு கோவிலில் காண்க
May tomorrow's time always
Be lived for our purpose; to guide it,
There is Someone—see Him in the temple.
May tomorrow's time always
Be lived for our purpose; to guide it,
There is Someone—see Him in the temple.
வேளை பிறக்கும் என்று
நம்பிக்கை கொள்க
வேளை பிறக்கும் என்று
நம்பிக்கை கொள்க எந்த
வேதனையும் மாறும் மேகத்தைப் போல
வேதனையும் மாறும் மேகத்தைப் போல
That a turn of time will come,
Keep your faith…
That a turn of time will come,
Keep your faith; any
Agony will pass away like a cloud.
Agony will pass away like a cloud.
ஏழு ஸ்வரங்களுக்குள்
எத்தனை பாடல்
இதயச் சுரங்கத்துள்
எத்தனை கேள்வி
காணும் மனிதருக்குள்
எத்தனை சலனம் வெறும்
கற்பனை சந்தோஷத்தில்
அவனது கவனம்
Within the seven musical notes,
How many songs exist!
Inside the mine of the heart,
How many questions lie!
Within the people we see around,
How much inner turmoil, merely
In imaginary happiness
Lies their attention.
ஏழு ஸ்வரங்களுக்குள்
எத்தனை பாடல்.....
ஹா.....ஆஅ.....ஆஅ....ஆஅ...ஹா....ஆ...ஆஅ....
ஹா.....ஆஅ.....ஆஅ....ஆஅ...ஹா....ஆ...ஆஅ....
Within the seven musical notes,
How many songs exist!
Hah… ah… ah… ah… hah… ah… ah…
Hah… ah… ah… ah… hah… ah… ah…
Aaa…..aaa….aaa…aaa….
Ah… ah… ah… ah…
Haa….aaa…aa..aaa..aaa…aa.
Ha… ah… ah… ah… ah… ah…
Haaaaa…aaa…aaa…haaa…aaa…aaa..
Hah… ah… ah… ha… ah… ah…
Haa….aaa…aaa….aaa….aaa…aaa…
Ha… ah… ah… ah… ah… ah…
Ezhu swarangalukkul
Within the seven musical notes,
Ethanai paadal
How many songs exist!
Ezhu swarangalukkul
Within the seven musical notes,
Ethanai paadal
How many songs exist!
Idhaya churangathul
Inside the mine of the heart,
Ethanai kelvi
How many questions lie!
Ezhu swarangalukkul
Within the seven musical notes,
Ethanai paadal
How many songs exist!
Idhaya churangathul
Inside the mine of the heart,
Ethanai kelvi
How many questions lie!
Kaanum manidharukkul
Within the people we see around,
Ethanai salanam
How much inner turmoil!
Kaanum manidharukkul
Within the people we see around,
Ethanai salanam verum
How much inner turmoil, merely
Karpanai sandhoshathil
In imaginary happiness
Avanadhu gavanam
Lies their attention.
Karpanai sandhoshathil
In imaginary happiness
Avanadhu gavanam…mmm…
Lies their attention… mmm…
Ezhu swarangalukkul
Within the seven musical notes,
Ethanai paadal
How many songs exist!
Haaa…aaa….aaa…aa.a..haaa…aaa…aa….
Hah… ah… ah… ah… hah… ah… ah…
Kaalai ezhundhavudan
As soon as waking up in the morning,
Naalaiya kelvi…eee….eee…ee…
There arises a question about tomorrow… ee… ee…
Haaa….aaa….aaa….aaa….aaa….
Hah… ah… ah… ah… ah…
Kaalai ezhundhavudan
As soon as waking up in the morning,
Naalaiya kelvi adhu
That question about tomorrow—
Kaiyil kidaitha pinnum
Even after getting what was sought in hand,
Thudikkudhu aavi
The soul keeps trembling with anxiety.
Kaiyil kidaitha pinnum
Even after getting what was sought in hand,
Thudikkudhu aavi
The soul keeps trembling with anxiety.
Yen endra kelvi ondru
The question 'Why?'
Endraikkum thangum
Will remain forever.
Yen endra kelvi ondru
The question 'Why?'
Endraikkum thangum manidhan
Will remain forever; for a human,
Inbam thunbam edhilum
In joy or in sorrow,
Kelvidhaan minjum
Only the question remains at the end.
Inbam thunbam edhilum
In joy or in sorrow,
Kelvidhaan minjum
Only the question remains at the end.
Ezhu swarangalukkul
Within the seven musical notes,
Ethanai paadal….lllll….
How many songs exist!
Enakkaaga nee azhalaam
You may weep for my sake,
Iyarkkaiyil nadakkum
That happens naturally in life.
Haaa…aaa….aaa…aa.a..haaa…aaa…aa….
Hah… ah… ah… ah… hah… ah… ah…
Enakkaaga nee azhalaam
You may weep for my sake,
Iyarkkaiyil nadakkum
That happens naturally in life.
Nee enakkaaga unavu unda
If you eat food on my behalf,
Eppadi nadakkum
How can that nourish me?
Namakkendru boomiyilae
For us on this earth,
Kadamaigal undu adhil
Duties exist; in those,
Namakkaaga nam kaiyaal
Doing them for ourselves with our own hands
Seivadhu nandru
Is what is truly good.
Namakkaaga nam kaiyaal
Doing them for ourselves with our own hands
Seivadhu nandru
Is what is truly good.
Ezhu swarangalukkul
Within the seven musical notes,
Ethanai paadal….
How many songs exist!
Aarambathin pirappum
The birth of your beginning
Un kaiyil illai…eee…eee…
Is not in your hands… ee… ee…
Haaa…aaa….aaa…aa.a..haaa…aaa…aa….
Hah… ah… ah… ah… hah… ah… ah…
Aarambathin pirappum
The birth of your beginning
Un kaiyil illai
Is not in your hands.
Endrum aduthadutha nadappum
And what happens step by step
Un kaiyil illai
Is also not in your hands.
Paadhai vagutha pinbu
Once the path has been carved out,
Bayandhenna laabam
What is the gain in being afraid?
Paadhai vagutha pinbu
Once the path has been carved out,
Bayandhenna laabam adhil
What is the gain in being afraid? Upon it,
Payanam nadathividu
Just carry on the journey,
Maraindhidum paavam
And sins/sufferings will vanish away.
Payanam nadathividu
Just carry on the journey,
Maraindhidum paavam
And sins/sufferings will vanish away.
Ezhu swarangalukkul
Within the seven musical notes,
Ethanai paadal….
How many songs exist!
Naalai pozhuthu endrum
May tomorrow's time always
Namakena vaazhga adhai
Be lived for our purpose; to guide it,
Nadatha oruvan undu kovilil kaanga
There is Someone—see Him in the temple.
Naalai pozhuthu endrum
May tomorrow's time always
Namakena vaazhga adhai
Be lived for our purpose; to guide it,
Nadatha oruvan undu kovilil kaanga
There is Someone—see Him in the temple.
Velai thiruppam endru
That a turn of time will come,
Nambikkai kolga…
Keep your faith…
Velai thiruppam endru
That a turn of time will come,
Nambikkai kolga endha
Keep your faith; any
Vedhanaiyum maarum megathai pola
Agony will pass away like a cloud.
Vedhanaiyum maarum megathai pola
Agony will pass away like a cloud.
Ezhu swarangalukkul
Within the seven musical notes,
Ethanai paadal
How many songs exist!
Idhaya churangathul
Inside the mine of the heart,
Ethanai kelvi
How many questions lie!
Kaanum manidharukkul
Within the people we see around,
Ethanai salanam verum
How much inner turmoil, merely
Karpanai sandhoshathil
In imaginary happiness
Avanadhu gavanam
Lies their attention.
Ezhu swarangalukkul
Within the seven musical notes,
Ethanai paadal
How many songs exist!
Haaa…aaa….aaa…aa.a..haaa…aaa…aa….
Hah… ah… ah… ah… hah… ah… ah…
Haaa…aaa….aaa…aa.a..haaa…aaa…aa….
Hah… ah… ah… ah… hah… ah… ah…
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
"Ezhu Swarangalukkul" is a deeply philosophical masterpiece from K. Balachander's 1975 film 'Apoorva Raagangal'. Lyricist Kannadasan draws a poetic parallel between music and human life: just as infinitely diverse melodies emerge from a mere seven musical notes (swaras), the human heart harbors endless unanswered questions, anxieties, and desires. The song reflects on existential uncertainty, noting how people waste their lives chasing illusory happiness and worrying endlessly about tomorrow, even when their immediate desires are fulfilled. Through poignant philosophical principles, the song urges individual responsibility and fortitude. It reminds us that empathy has limits—someone can weep for you, but no one can eat or live your life for you; individual duty must be performed by oneself. Furthermore, since neither our birth nor the future is within our control, fear is pointless once a path is set. By marching forward with spiritual faith and patience, sorrow will eventually dissolve like a passing cloud when time takes its favorable turn.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvam)
“Idhaya churangathul / Ethanai kelvi”
Compares the human heart to a deep, dark mine ('churangam') filled with countless unplumbed questions.
Simile (Uvamai Ani)
“Vedhanaiyum maarum megathai pola”
Compares human agony and grief to a passing cloud ('megathai pola'), highlighting their transient nature.
Iyaipu (End Rhyme)
“Aarambathin pirappum un kaiyil illai / Endrum aduthadutha nadappum un kaiyil illai”
Both lines end with the identical phrase 'un kaiyil illai' (is not in your hands), creating a rhythmic and lyrical emphasis.
Muran Ani (Antithesis / Contrast)
“Inbam thunbam edhilum / Kelvidhaan minjum”
Juxtaposes two contrasting human emotions—joy ('inbam') and sorrow ('thunbam')—to highlight that questioning remains constant in both states.
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Trivia
This song won Vani Jairam the National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer in 1975. Composed by legendary music director M. S. Viswanathan (MSV) in the classical Carnatic raagam Pantuvarali, it remains one of the most celebrated classical-philosophical songs in Tamil cinema. The film 'Apoorva Raagangal', directed by K. Balachander, marked the silver screen debut of Superstar Rajinikanth and was acclaimed for its bold, unconventional storylines.
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