Nallathor Veenai

Nallathor Veenai
(A good pretty lyre)
BY
Mahakavi Bharathi

Translated
BY
P.R.Ramachander
Raga Brindavani
Thalam AAdi


Nallathor venai cheythe –adhai,
Nalam keda puzhuthiyil yerivathundo

Cholladi Shiva Shakthi , yenai
Sudar migum arivudan padaithu vittay

Vallamai thaarayo , indha,
Manilam payunura vazhvadakke,,
Cholladi Shivashakthiu –nilam,
Chumaiyena Vazhnthida puriguvayo

Visayuru panthinai pol –ullam,
Vendiya padi chillum udal ketten,
Nasayaru manam ketten, nitham navamena,
Dasyuru Chudar tharum Uyir ketten,

Dasayinai thee chudinum –Shiva,
SAkthiyai padum nal agam ketten,
Asaivaru mathi ketten, Ivai,
Arulvathil unakketum thadai ulatho




English translation


After making a pretty Veena*,
Does anyone throw it in dust?

Please tell me Oh, Power of Lord Shiva,
You have made me with ,
Glowing Sparks of wisdom,
Would you not give me the strength,
For making my country live with a purpose?
Please tell me Oh , Power of Lord Shiva,
Am I to live here as its simple burden?
*Indian stringed musical instrument

I asked you for a body,
Which can travel as it wants like a ball,
I asked you for a mind to cut off poisonous thoughts,
I asked you for a soul which is new everyday,
I asked you for a toungue, which would sing,
About you, even if it is burnt,
And I asked you but for a stable mind.

I asked for a mind that will sing the power of Shiva,
Who will burn my body,
I asked for a mind that cuts of desires
Is there any problem for you to grant all these?

Muruga, Muruga, Muruga

Muruga, Muruga, Muruga

By
Mahakavi Subrahmanya Bharathiyar

Translated by
P.R.Ramachander

Ragam Nattai kurinchi
Thalam Aadhi

(Muruga is the one of the tamil names for Lord Subrahmanya-the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi. He rides on a peacock and carries a spear called Vadivel))

Pallavi
Muruga, Muruga, Muruga

Charanam
1.Varuvai mayil meedhinile ,
Vadi veludane varuvai,
Tharuvai nalamum thagavum pugazum,
Thavamum, thiramum , dhanamum , ganamum

2. Adiyar pala ingu ulare ,
Avarai viduvithu arulvaay,
Mudiya maraiyin mudive,asurar,
Mudive karuthum vadi velavane.

3. Suruthi porule , varuga,
Thunive , kanale varuga,
Karuthi karuthi kavalai paduvaar,
Kavalai kadalai kadiyum vadivel.

4.Amravathi vaazh urave,
Arulvai, saranam, saranam
Kumaraa , pini yavayume chithara,
Kumurum sudar velavane , saranam

5.Arivagiya koyilile ,
Arulgayathaiu madi mel ,
Pori veludane valarvay, adiyar,
Puthu vaazhvurave, puvi meethu arulvai

6. Guruve , paraman magane,
Guhayile valarum kanale ,
Tharuvai thozhilum payanum amarar,
SAmarathipane , saranam, saranam

English translation

Pallavi
Oh Muruga, Oh Muruga, Oh Muruga

Charanam
1.Please come riding on a peacock.
Come with your vadi vel(Long spear)
Give me comfort , suitability , fame,
Penance , ability , wealth and importance.

2.There are several devotees here,
Please give all of them freedom,
Oh end of the endless Vedas ,
Oh end of Asuras, Oh Vadivela of the desired form.

3.Oh Meaning of Vedas, come,
Oh bravery , oh fire , come,
Oh Vadivel who dries the sea of worries,
Of all those who keep on worrying.

4.Oh relative who lives in Indra’s capital,
Shower your grace, I surrender, surrender
Oh Subrahmanya, Oh Velava who is like a flame,
Which is angry and drives away all ills, I surrender.

5. In the temple called wisdom,
In your lap which is your grace ,
Please come with a blazing Vel,
Please shower your grace so that,
The entire world gets a rich new life

6.Oh Teacher, Oh son of Lord Parameshwara,
Oh flame which grows inside a cave,
Please give me a work and its result,
Oh commander of devas, I surrender, I surrender

Manathil uruthi vendum

Manathil uruthi vendum

By
Maha Kavi Bharathi

Translated
By
P.R.Ramachander

Ragam Thilang
Talam

1.Manathil uruthi vendum,
Vakkinile inimai vendum,
Ninaivu nallathu vendum,
Nerungina porul kaipada vendum,
Kanavu may pada vendum,
Kaivasamavathu viraivil vendum,
Danamum inbamum vendum,
Daraniyile perumai Vendum

2.Kan thiranthida vendum,
Kariyathil uruthi vendum,
Pen viduthalaio vendum,
Periya kadavul kaakka vendum,
Man payanura vendum,
Vanagamingu then pada Vendum,
Unmai ninrida vendum,
OM Om Om OM

English translation


1.Firmness in mind we should have,
Sweetness in words we should have,
Purity in thought we should have,
Our hands should be able to touch.
What it wishes to touch,
And our dreams should come true.

Whatever we are to get,
We should get it fast,
Wealth and pleasure we should have,
Fame in this world we should have,

2.Our eyes should be open,
Our actions should be firm,
Women should have freedom,
The big God should always protect,
The soil should be fertile,
We should be able to see the space,
And the truth should be stable,
Om, Om, Om, Om

Kayile pulippathenna-Kanna perumane

Kayile pulippathenna-Kanna perumane

By
Mahakavi Subrahmanya Bharathi

Translated by
P.R.Ramachander

Ragam Maand Bahar

1.Kayile pulippathenna? Kanna Perumane-nee,
Kaniyile inippathenna ? Kanna perumane.

2.Noyile paduppathenna? Kanna Perumane, nee,
Nonbinil uyirppathenna ? Kanna perumane.

3.Kathile kulirnthathenna , Kanna Perumane –nee,
Kanalile chuduvathenna? Kanna Perumane

4.Chethile kuzhambalenna , Kanna Perumane-nee,
Thikkile thelinthathenna , Kanna perumane

5.Yethi ninnai thozhuvathenne? Kanna perumane-nee,
Yeliyar thammai kappathenne? Kanna Perumane

6.Pothinorai kapathenne? Kanna perumane, nee,
Poyyar thammai mayppathenne? Kanna perumane

Veru
Pothi, Pothi, Pothi, Pothi, Kanna Perumane,
Ponnadi pothi nindren , Kanna Perumane

English translation

1.Why are you sour when Unripe, Oh Lord Kanna,
Why are you sweet when ripe, Oh Lord Kanna.

2.Why do you fall sick and lie down, Oh Lord Kanna,
Why do you get energetic when doing penance, Oh Lord Kanna

3.Why are you cold at time of wind, Oh Lord Kanna,
Why are you hot amidst embers , Oh Lord Krishna

4.Why are you slushy in mud, Oh Lord Kanna,
Why are you clear in all directions, Oh Lord Kanna

5.Why do we install and worship you, Oh Lord Kanna,
Why is it that you protect the weak, Oh Lord Kanna
6.Why do you protect those who pray you, Oh Lord Kanna,
Why do you destroy liars, Oh Lord Kanna

Other type
Salutations, salutations, salutations , Oh Lord Kanna,
I salute your golden feet , Oh Lord Kanna

Kannamavin Kadal

Kannamavin Kadal
By
Mahakavi Bharathiar

Translated by
P.R.Ramachander

Ragam Desh
Talam Aadhi

1.Kattru veliyidai Kannamma –Ninthan,
Kadhalai yenni kalikkindren-Amu
THattinai otha idazhgalum-Nila
Voori thathumbum vizhigalum –Pathu
Mathu ponnotha nin meniyum –indha,
Vaiyathil yanulla mattilum-Yenai,
Vethu ninaivindri thethiye –Ingor,
Vinnavanaaga puriyume-Indha

2.Nee yenathu uyir kannamma-Yendha,
Neramum ninthanai pothuven-thuyar,
Poyina, poyina thunbangal ninaip-,
Ponnenna konda pozhuthile-Uyir,
THeeyinile valar jothiye, yenthan,
Chinthanaye yenthan chithame-Indha

English translation

1.In the open air space of this world, my Kannamma*,
I enter in to rapture thinking of your love,
Your cheeks which are like the spring of nectar,
Your moon light drenched eyes that blink,
Your body which is of the purest gold,
Would make me think of nothing else,
As long as I live in this world,
And make me a heavenly being,
Even as I live in this world here, Kannamma.

2,You are my entire soul, my Kannamma,
And I would praise you always and at all times,
For sorrow vanished, vanished the pain filled life,
As soon as I thought that you were gold,
And when I repeated your name darling,
My mouth was drenched with nectar,
Oh flame which grows in the fire of my life,
On my mind, Oh my thought,
In this open air space of the world, Kannamma
I enter in to rapture thinking of your love.

*sweet heart/darling mine. It would read better if “darling “replaces “Kannamma. But the nostalgia it evokes in a reader from Tamil Nadu would be lost. Most people believe that the poet is singing to Lord Krishna (Kannan) and imagine him as his sweet heart.

Kannamma en Kadali

Kannamma en Kadali (Kannamma my sweetheart)
by
Mahakavi Bharathi

Translated by
P.R.Ramachander

(The great poet Bharathi who lived in Tamilnadu wrote lot of poems addressing Kannamma his sweetheart. “Kan” in Tamil means eye and Kannamma is the darling who is as precious as the eye. Possibly this is one of the very romantic poem he wrote. While translating , I have tried to make the poem readable in English)
Ragam Aabhoghi
Thalam AAdhi

1.Paayum oli nee enakku paarkum vizhi nan unakku
Thoyum madhu nee enakku thumbiy adi nan unakku
Vaayuraikka varuguvathillai vaalinindran menmai yellam
Thuya sudar vaanoliye suraiyamuthe kannamma

I am the rushing light to you,
And you are the eyes that see for me.
I am honey that spreads sweetness to you,
And you are the honey bee to me,
Words do not form in my mouth,
To describe all that is good in you,
And let all that is good in you flourish for ever.
2.Veenaiy adi nee enakku mevum viral naan unakku
Poonum vadam nee enakku puthu vairam naan unakku
Kaanumidam thorum nindran kannin oli veesuthadi
Paanudaya perarase vaalvu nilaiye kannamma

Oh my darling Kannamma,
Who is the shining light of the sky,
And who is the brimming nectar of the world,
You are the musical Veena to me,
And I am the fingers that play on it to you,
You are the golden chain that is worn on me,
And I am the new dazzling diamond to you,
Whichever side I see, I see the light of your eyes,
Oh Kannamma, who is the great kingdom of life,
And who is the basis of all my living.
3.vaana mazhai nee enakku vanna mayil nan unakku
baanamadi nee enakku paandamadi nan unakku
nyaana oli veesuthadi nangai nindran jothimugam
uunamaru nallalaghe uuru suvaiye kannamma

You are the rain that pours from the sky to me,
And I am the pretty coloured peacock to you,
You are the drink to me, and I am the cup to you,
Luster of knowledge shines from your shining face, my darling,
Oh Kannamma, who is a beauty without any faults,
And who is the taste that drips inside my mouth.
4.vennilavu nee enakku mevu kadal nan unakku
pannusuthi nee enakku paattinimai nan unakku
enni enni paarthidilor ennamillai ninsuvaikke
kannin mani pondravale kattiyamuthe kannamma

You are the white full moon to me,
And I am the spreading sea to you,
You are the beats of the music to me,
And I am the taste of music to you,
There is no limit to your taste , my darling,
Even when I think and think again,
Oh darling Kannamma, who is like the pretty eye,
And who is the nectar that is packed,

5.veesukamal nee enakku viriyumalar nan unakku
pesuporul nee enakku penumozhi nan unakku
nesamulla vaansudare ninnalaghai yethuraippen
aasai madhuve kaniye allu suvaiye Kannamma

You are the breeze that flows to me.
I am the flower that opens to you,
You are the words that I speak to me,.
And I am the words that ring in your heart to you ,
How will I describe your beauty,
Oh my darling , who is the ray of the sky that loves,
Oh darling Kannamma who is the wine of love
And who is the endless taste.

kaathaladi nee enakku gaanthamadi nan unakku
vethamadi nee enakku vithaiyadi nan unakku
pothamutra pothinile pongivarum theenchuvaiye
naathavadivaanavale nalla uyire kannamma

You are the love to me ,
And I am the magnet to you,
You are the holy books of Veda to me,
And I am the blissful knowledge to you,
Oh my darling Kannamma who is a great soul,
Whose taste ebbs when I am in passion,
And who is of the form of music.
nallavuyir nee enakku naadiyadi nan unakku
selvamadi nee enakku semanithi nan unakku
ellaiyatra peralaghe enggum nirai potchudare
mullai nigar punnagaiyai moothuminbame kannamma


You are my soul Kannamma,
And I am your heart beat, Kannamma,
You are like the wealth to me , Kannamma,
And I am like the fund that is saved to you,
Oh beauty which can never be measured,
Oh rays of gold that spreads everywhere,
Oh darling whose smile is like a blossom of jasmines,
Oh Kannamma , who is the pleasure that beats like waves.
taaraiyadi nee enakku thanmathiyam nan unakku
veeramadi nee enakku vetriyadi nan unakku
tharaniyil vaanulaghil saarnthirukkum inbamellam
ooruruvamaai samainthai ullamuthe kannamma


You are the twinkling stars to me,
And I am the cool full moon to you,
You are the valour to me,
And I am your victory,
Oh Kannamma, nectar of my mind,
You are the sweetness of the entire world and the heaven,
Rolled in to one person , Oh darling.., mine.

Kani nilam Vendum, Parashakthi

Kani nilam Vendum, Parashakthi

By
Mahakavi subramanya Bharathiyar

Translated by
P.R.Ramachander

Ragam Ragamalika
Thalam Aadhi/Thisra

1.Kani nilam vendum –Parashakthi, Kani nilam vendum-angu,
Thoonil azhagiyathai –nan madangal thuyya nirathinathai –antha,
Kani nilathidaye –Or maligai katti thara vendum-angu,
Keniyarigile thennai maram keethu milaneerum,

2.Pathu pannirandu thennamaram pakkathile venum –nalla,
Muthu chuddar pole –nilavoli munbu vara venum –angu,
Kathum kuyil osai –chathe vandhu kaadhir pada vendum-enthan,
Chitham magizhnthidave – nanarya ila thendral vara venum

3.Pattu kalanthidave –ange oru pathini pen venum-yengal,
Kootu kaliyinile -kavithaigal kondu thara venum-Andha,
Kattu veliyinile –Amma, ninthan kavalura venum –enthan,
Pattu thirathale –ivvayathai palithida venum.

English translation

1.I need a small piece of land , Oh divine mother ,A small piece of land, and there,
In the midst of that small piece of land you should build me a house with,
Four pretty pillars and several floors and there near the small pond,
Cocunut tree leafs should shine in small plants.

2.Near ten or twelve coconut trees , moon light should come
Like a shining pearl and there the soft song of the nightingales,
Should come and fall in my ears to make mind happy,
Good light breeze should blow to make me further happy.

3.To mix music there , there should be a virtuous wife there,
and in our play together , you should bring and give poems,
And in that forest expanse, Oh mother you should provide guard,
And by the great knowledge of music , you should look after this world.