This is a translation of a recent song from a movie called Saivam that my mum recommended I listen to. I listened to it last night and fell in love with the voice. The singer is the daughter of karnatic singer Unnikrishnan who has also worked on some film music himself. The song has been on repeat all day and the lyrics are so beautiful in Tamil. I hope the translation conveys some of that.
**Sa Sa Sa Sa Ni Sa Ri Sa Pa
Ma Ma Tha Tha Thasa Ri Pa Pa
Sa Sa Sa Sa Ni Sa Ri Sa Pa
Ma Ma Tha Tha Thasa Ri Pa Pa
Ga Ma Tha Ni Sa
Ni Ri Sa**
Notes
**Azhage Azhage Ethuvum Azhage
Anbin Vizhiyil Ellaam Azhage
Mazhai Mattumaa Azhagu
Sudum Veyyil Kooda Oru Azhagu
Malar Mattumaa Azhagu
Vizhum Ilai Kooda Oru Azhagu**
Beauty, Beauty, Everything has Beauty
When you look through Affection’s eyes, Everything is beautiful
Is only the rain beautiful?
Even the hot sun is beautiful
Is only the flower beautiful?
Even the falling leaf is beautiful
**Punnagai Veesidum Paarvaigal Azhagu
Vaarthaigal Theergaiyil Mounangal Azhagu
Nanmaikku Sollidum Poigalum Azhagu
Unmaiyil Adhudhaan Meyyaai Azhagu
Ga Ma Tha Ni Sa Ni Ri Sa Ga Ma Tha Ni Sa Ga Ri Sa**
The glance that throws a smile is beautiful
The silence after words run out is beautiful
The lies told for someone’s good is beautiful
Truly, that is the real beauty
Notes…
**Kuyil Isai Athu Paadida
Swara Varisaigal Thevaiyaa
Mayil Nadanangal Aadida
Jadhi Oligalum Thevaiyaa
Nadhi Nadandhe Sendrida
Vazhi Thunai Thaan Thevaiya
Kadal Alai Athu Pesida
Mozhi Ilakkanam Thevaiya**
For a koel to make music
Does it need to know the notes?
For the peacock to dance
Does it need the sound of beats?
For the river to walk and flow
Does it need route guidence?
For the waves of the sea to speak
Does it need literary languages?
**Iyarkaiyodu Inaindhaal
Ulagam Muzhudhum Azhagu
Kavalai Yaavum Marandhaal
Indha Vaazhkkai Muzhudhum Azhagu
Ga Ma Tha Ni Sa
Ni Ri Sa**
If you’re with nature
The whole world is beautiful
If you forget your worries,
This life is full of beauty
Notes…
Azhage Azhage Ethuvum Azhage
**
Janu Thaka Dheem
Nirisa Nipa Gamarisa
Janu Thaka Dheem
Madhani Paga Madhanisa
Thajum Thajanu Thaka Dheem
Maga Nireesa Ni Madhanipa Thaka
Thajam Thajunuthaka**
(improv with notes and thanam)
**Idhayam Oru Oonjale
Idam Valam Adhu Aadidum
Inbathil Adhu Thointhidum
Thunbathil Adhu Moodidum
Nadandhavai Naam Naalume
Ninaipadhil Porul Illaiye
Nadappadhai Naam Enninaal
Adhaivida Uyarvillaiye**
The heart is a swing
It will swing from place to place
It will get lost in happiness
In sadness it will close
We make plans
That don’t come true
If we go with reality’s flow
There’s nothing greater than that
**Pookkum Poovil Veesum
Vaasam Enna Azhagu
Adhaiyum Thaandi Veesum
Nam Nesam Romba Azhagu
Ga Ma Tha Ni Sa
Ni Ri Sa
Ga Ma Tha Ni Sa
Ga Ri Sa**
The blooming flowers give
Such a beautiful fragrance
Even more beautiful than that
Is the love we share
Notes…
**Azhage Azhage Ethuvum Azhage
Anbin Vizhiyil Ellaam Azhage
Mazhai Mattumaa Azhagu
Sudum Veyyil Kooda Oru Azhagu
Malar Mattumaa Azhagu
Vizhum Ilai Kooda Oru Azhagu
Punnagai Veesidum Paarvaigal Azhagu
Vaarthaigal Theergaiyil Mounangal Azhagu
Nanmaikku Sollidum Poigalum Azhagu
Unmaiyil Adhudhaan Meyyaai Azhagu
Ga Ma Tha Ni Sa
Ni Ri Sa
Ga Ma Tha Ni Sa
Ga Ri Sa**
Beauty, Beauty, Everything has Beauty
When you look through Affection’s eyes, Everything is beautiful
Is only the rain beautiful?
Even the hot sun is beautiful
Is only the flower beautiful?
Even the falling leaf is beautiful
The glance that throws a smile is beautiful
The silence after words run out is beautiful
The lies told for someone’s good is beautiful
Truly, that is the real beauty
Notes…