Oru rathri koodi...

A classic song from the movie Summer in Bethlehem...

Oru rathri koodi vida vaangave
Oru paatu mooli veyil veezhave

As another night bids adieu
As the sunshine falls; humming a song

Pathiye parannen arikil varum
Azhakinte thooval aanu nee...

You are the feather of beauty

That gently wafts close to me

Oru rathri...

Pala naalalanja maruyathrayil
Hrudayam thiranja priya swapname
Mizhikalkku munpil ithalarnu nee
Viriyan orungi nilkkayo?

O dream that has sought my heart
In the timeless travels of mine -
Are you waiting to bloom
In front of my eyes?

Pularaan thudangum oru rathriyil
Thaniye kidannu mizhi vaarkkave
Oru nerttha thennal alivode vannu
Nerukil thalodi maanjuvo?

When I was looking yonder
As the night was giving way to dawn -
Did a gentle breeze caress my forehead
With love and disappear?

Oru rathri...

Malarmanju veena vanaveethiyil
Idayante paattu kathorkkave
Oru paazh kinavil urukunnoren
Manassinte paattu kettuvo?

Upon the snow-covered path
While listening to the shepherd's song -
Did you hear the song of my heart -
That was melting away in a futile dream?

Nizhal veezhumente idanaazhiyil
Kanivode pootha mani deepame
Nizhal veezhumente idanaazhiyil
Kanivode pootha manideepame
Oru kunju kattil anayathe nin
Thirinaalam ennum kaatthidaam

O lamp that shone mercifully
In my corridor filled with shadows -
I would forever protect your flame
From being blown off
By the gentle wind

Oru rathri...

Kaiyil mithakkum...

A song that symbolizes delicacy; from Rakshakan...

Kanava illai kaatra?
Kanava nee kaatra?

Dream or the wind?

Are you a dream or the wind?

Kaiyil mithakkum kanava nee?
Kai kaal mulaittha kaatra nee?
Kaiyil yenthiyum ganakkavillaye...
Nurayaal seitha silaya nee?

Are you a dream that floats on my hand?

Are you a dream that has sprout hands and legs?

You don't weigh even when I am carrying you...

Are you a sculpture made of bubbles?

Ippadi unnai yenthi kondu
Indira lokam poi vidava?
Idayil koncham vali eduthalum
Chandira tharayil paai idava?

Shall I carry you like this

And go even unto heaven?

Shall I lay a mat for you on the face on the moon

Even if it would be a little strenuous?

Kaiyil...

Nilavil porulgal idai izhakkum
Neerilum porul idai izhakkum
Kaathalil kooda idai izhakkum
Indru kandenadi -
Athai kandu kondenadi...

Things lose weight on the moon

Things lose weight in water

I discovered that things lose weight

Even in love -

I discovered it dear...

Kaathal thaaimai irandu mattum
Bhaaram enpathai ariyathu -
Un palingu mughatthai parthu kondal
Pasiyum valiyum theriyathu...

Love and motherhood are the two forms

That don't feel weight -

As long as I can see your mirror face

I wouldn't feel hunger or pain...

Unnai mattum sumanthu nadanthal
Uyaram dhooram theriyadhu -
Un mel vanthoru poo vizhunthaal
Ennaal thaanga mudiyathu...

If I would carry you alone

I wouldn't know height or distance -

If even a flower falls on you -

I wouldn't be able to stand it...

Kaiyil...

Pookkal pookkum...

Mesmerizing song from Madrasapattinam...

Pookkal pookkum tharunam
Aaruyire paarthatharum illaye

The moment that the flower blossoms -

O dear! No one has noticed

Pularum kalai pozhuthai
Muzhumathiyum pirinthu povathillaye

The night doesn't leave completely

The rising dawn behind

Nettru varai neram pokavillaye
Unatharike neram pothavillaye

I couldn't kill time till yesterday

I can't have enough of time today with you near me

Ethuvum pesavillaye indru eno
Ethuvum thondravillaye
Ithethuvo...

No words were spoken

I can't think of speaking anything today

Why is it so?

Iravum vidiyavillaye
Athu mudinthal pakalum mudiyavillaye
Poonthalirey...

The night hasn't ended

And when it does, the day doesn't end

O little bud...

Vaarthai thevai illai vaazhum kaalam varai
Paavai paarvai mozhi pesume

No words are required

I can do with the language her eyes speak -

For a lifetime

Nettru thevai illai naalai thevai illai
Indru intha nodi podhume

I need neither yesterday nor today -

All I need is today; this moment

Ver indri vithai indri
Vin thoovum mazhai indri
Ithu enna ivan thottam poo pookuthe

Without roots; Without seeds

Without the rain showered by the skies -

How is it that his garden is blooming today?

Vaal indri por indri
Valikkindra yuddham indri
Ithu enna ivan anbu ennai velludhe

Without swords; Without fight

Without the pain of war -

How is that his love has won over me today?

Idhayam muzhuthum irukkum
Intha thayakkam
Engu kondu nirutthum

This feeling that embalms my heart -

What would it do to me and where would it stop?

Ithai ariya engu kidaikkum vilakkam
Athu kidaitthal solla vendum enakkum
Poonthalirey...

Where can I get the answer to this?

If you get it, do tell me too

O little bud...

Entha megham ithu enthan vaasal vanthu
Engum eera mazhai thoovuthe

Which cloud is this -

That has come to my walk

To shower rain all over?

Entha uravu ithu ethuvum puriyavillai
Endra pothum ithu neeluthe

What relation is this -

I cannot fathom it

But it goes on forever?

Yaar endru ariyamal
Per kooda theriyamal
Ivanodu oru swantham uruvanathen?

I know not who

I know not the name

But with him, why has a bond grown?

Yen endru kedkaamal
Thadutthaalum nirkkaamal
Ivan pogum vazhi engum manam poguthe...

I dont ask why

I cant stop it even if I try

My mind follows him wherever he wanders...

Paathai mudintha piragum
Intha ulagil payanam mudivathillaye

Paths end

But the journey continues

Kaatril paranthe paravai maraintha piragum
Kilai thodangum nadanam mudivathillaye
Ithethuvo...


Even after the birds fly away

The branches continue their dance

Why is it so?

Vellai pookkal...

Serene song from Kannathil muttham ittal

Vellai pookkal ulagamengum malarave
Vidiyum bhoomi amaithikkaka vidigave

Let white flowers bloom all over the world

Let the rising world rise in the name of peace

Man mel manjal veliccham vizhugave
Malare sombal muritthu ezhugave

Let pious yellow light fill the earth

O flower! Wake up from your slumber

Kuzhanthai vizhikkattume
Thaayin katha kathappil

Let the child wake up

To the breath of his mother close by

Ulagam vidiyattume
Pillayin siru mutharsiruppil

Let the world dawn

At the first smile of a baby

Vellai pookkal...

Engu siru kuzhanthai
Than kaigal neettidumo
Angu thondrayo kollai nilave

O beautiful moon,

Rise where the little child

Reaches his hands out

Engu manitha inam
Por oynthu sainthidume
Angu koovayo vellai kuyile

O dove,

Sing where humanity has ceased to fight

Vellai pookkal...

Kannukku mai azhagu...

A wonderful song from the movie Puthiya mugham...

Kannukku mai azhagu
Kavithaikku poi azhagu
Kannatthil kuzhi azhagu
Kaarkoonthal pen azhagu

Kohl adds beauty to the eyes

Lies add beauty to poetry

Dimples add beauty to the cheeks

Dark tresses of hair add beauty to a woman

Ilamaikku nadai azhagu
Muthumaikku narai azhagu
Kalvarkku iravazhagu
Kathalarkku nilavazhagu
Nilavukku karai azhagu
Paravaikku chirakazhagu
Avvaikku koon azhagu
Annaikku sei azhagu

Walk adds beauty to youth

Grey hairs add beauty to the old

Night is beautiful for thieves

Moon is beautiful for lovers

The lining looks beautiful on the moon

Wings are the beauty of birds

Avvai (the poetess) looks beautiful with her hunch

Beauty is personified in her child for a mother

Kannukku...

Vidikaalai vinnazhagu
Vidiyumvarai pennazhagu
Nellukku naatrazhagu
Thennaikku keetrazhagu
Oorukku aar azhagu
Oorvalatthil ther azhagu
Tamizhukku 'zha' azhagu
Thalaivikku naan azhagu

Sky looks beautiful at dawn

Until dawn, a woman looks beautiful

Saplings add beauty to the unchaffed grain

The leaves add beauty to a coconut tree

River adds beauty to the town

Chariot adds beauty to a procession

The letter 'zh' adds beauty to Tamizh

My mistress finds beauty in me

Kannukku...

Sonnalum ketpathillai...

Melodious song from the film Kadhal Virus...

Sonnalum ketpadhillai kanni manathu...
Ondrai, maraitthu vaitthen -
Solla, thadai vidhitthenendre
Nambi irunthen athu
Vancham seithathu

The young girl's mind doesn't listen

I hid something -

Barred my mind from saying it -

I believed my mind -

But it conned me

Sonnalum...

Kanni manam paavam
Enna seyya koodum -
Unnai pola alla,
Unmai sonnathu -
Nee sonnalum...

What would the poor girl's mind do?

Unlike you, it told the truth

Even if you told it not to...

Sonnalum...

Unnai thavira enakku
Vidayalukkor kizhakku
Ulaginil ullatho uyire?

Is there an east in my morning

That I rise to -

Other than you, in this world -

O my life?

Sooriya vilakkil
Sudar vidum kizhakku -
Kizhakkukku nee thaan uyire...

The east shines in the light of the sun -

You are the life of my east...

Ellam therinthirunthum
Ennai purinthirunthum
Summa irukkumpadi sonnen
Nooru marai...

Knowing everything,

Understanding everything -

I hushed my mind a hundred times

To not reveal anything...

O nangai unthan nenjam -
Naan koduttha lanjam
Vaangikkondu intha unmai sonnathu -
Nee sonnalum...

O lady, your mind -

Took my bribe and told me the truth -

Even if you told it not to...

Sonnalum...

Vizhichirayil piditthai
Vilaguthal pol naditthai
Dinam dinam sumanthen thalirey

You caught me in the gaol of your eyes

You pretended to part

I bore you everyday, O little bud

Nadhiyena naan nadanthen
Anai thadutthum kadanthen
Kadaisiyil kalarnthen kadaley

I went about as a river

I crossed even the dam that stopped me

Until I merged with you, O my sea

Ellam therinthirunthum
Ennai purinthirunthum
Summa irukkumpadi sonnen
Nooru marai...

Knowing everything,

Understanding everything -

I hushed my mind a hundred times

To not reveal anything...

Poovedutthu neeril
Potthivaitthu paaru
Vanthuvidum mele vanchikodiye -
Nee sonnalum...

Try hiding a flower in water -

It would come up and reveal itself

O my maiden -

Even if you told it not to...

Sonnalum...

Ennu varum nee..

A beautiful Malayalam song from the movie Kannaki...

Ennu varum nee? Ennu varum nee?
Ente nila panthalil, veruthe
Ente kina panthalil...

When will you come? When will you come?

Into my moonlit tent, simply

Into my tent of dreams...

Veruthe kaanan
Veruthe irikkan
Veruthe veruthe chirikkan
Thammil veruthe veruthe mindaan...

Just to see you

Just to sit with you

Just to smile with you

Just to speak to you...

Nee illenkil, nee varillenkil
Enthinen karalil sneham?
Veruthe enthinen nenjil moham?

If you are not there, if you wont come

Then why would I need love in my soul?

Why would I have desires in my heart?

Manamaai nee en manassil illathe
Enthinu poovin chantham?
Veruthe enthinu raavin chantham?

If you wouldn't be the smell of my mind

Then why do flowers have to be pretty?

Why do nights have to be beautiful?

Ennu varum...

Ormayilinnum omanippoo njan
Thammil kanda nimisham
Nammal, adhyam kanda nimisham...

I still cherish

The moment of meeting -

The moment we met for the first time...

Oro vaakkilum
Oro nokkilum
Ardham thoniya nimisham
Ayiram ardham thoniya nimisham...

Every word

Every look

Held meaning in that moment -

The moment that held thousand meanings...

Ennu varum...

En Mel Vizhuntha...

This is one of my favorites.. written by Vairamuthu from the film Maymadham.

En mel vizhuntha mazhai thuliye
Itthanai naalai engirunthai?

O raindrop that fell on me,
Where were you all these days?

Indru ezhuthiya en kaviye
Itthanai naalai engirunthai?

O poet that wrote 'today',

Where were you all these days?

Ennai ezhuppiya poonkatre
Itthanai naalai engirunthai?

O gentle breeze that woke me up,

Where were you all these days?

Ennai mayakkiya mellisaye
Itthanai naalai engirunthai?

O light music that enticed me,

Where were you all these days?

Udambil uraikindra oruyir pol
Unakkul thaane naan irunthen

Like a quiescent life in the body

I have been within you all this while

Mannai thiranthal neer irukkum
En manathai thiranthal nee iruppai

When you open sand, you find water

If you open my heart, you would find you

Oliyai thiranthal isai irukkum
En uyirai thiranthal nee iruppai

When you open sounds, you find music

If you open my life, you would find you

Vaanam thiranthal mazhai irukkum
En vayathai thiranthal nee iruppai

When you open the sky, you find rain

If you open my age, you would find you

Iravai thiranthal pakal irukkum
En imayai thiranthal nee iruppai

When you open the night, you find morning

If you open my eyelids, you would find you

En mel...

Ilayum malarum urasugayil
Enna bhashai pesidumo?

When the leaf meets the flower

What language does it speak?

Alayum karayum urasugayil
Pesum bhashai pesidumo?

When the wave meets the shore

What language does it speak?

Mannum vinnum urasugayil
Enna bhashai pesidumo?

When the earth meets the sky

What language does it speak?

Paarvai randum pesi kondaal
Bhashai oomai aai vidumo?

When eyes meet and speak,

Does language transform into silence?

En mel...

Prelude

There is no soul that doesn't love music. We often listen to so many songs, like many songs, love some songs... but there are few songs that stay in our heart forever no matter how old, how new. Most of the time, I fall in love with a song because of its lyrics... Since I can afford the luxury of time now and for my own pleasure, I thought of sharing the lyrics and meaning of some of the songs that touched my heart; hence the blog :) Hope you like it as much as I do.