Song: Narumugaiye
Film: Iruvar (1997)
Music: A.R. Rahman
Lyrics: Vairamuthu
Singers: P. Unnikrishnan, Bombay Jayshree
Actors: Mohanlal, Aishwarya Rai, Madhubala
The movie, Iruvar, is Aishwarya Rai's debut and is based on the real-life relationship between M.G. Ramachandran, M. Karunanidhi and Jayalalitha. The lyrics are inspired by the ancient (circa 100-300 CE) Thamizh Sangama literature book of poetry, Kurunthogai, verse 40. This particular verse is attributed to the poet, Sembula Peyaneerar, who is known for his trademark verse "red earth and pouring rain" (which is literally the translation of his name). Vairamuthu has stuck to old Thamizh while composing verses for this one.
A.R. Rahman has often cited 'Iruvar' as his best work ever and this song is based off the raagam, Nattai (with Raag maand blended in)
I'm copy-pasting the translation provided by a blogger, Sucheendra. The poetry is exquisite and shows off the richness of the Thamizh language, as is the composition itself (one the best ever from A.R. Rahman, imo)
Narumugaiyae, narumugaiyae, nee oru naazhigai nillaay
Sengani ooriya vaai thiranthu, nee oru thirumoli sollaai
Oh fragrant bud that is ready to bloom, could you stop for an instance!
Open your red honey dripping lips and utter a few precious verses!
Attrai thingal annilavil, netrith tharala neervadiya,
Kotrappoigai aadiyaval, neeyaa?
On a full moon night, with water droplets dripping down the forehead
the one bathing (playfully) in the waterfall, was it you?
Thirumaganae, thirumaganae, nee oru naazhigai paaraay,
Vennira puraviyil vanthavanae, vaelvizhi moligal kaelaay
Oh handsome young man! Oh handsome young man! could you look here for an instance!
The one who came riding a white horse, listen to what my spear like sharp eyes say!
Attrai thingal annilavil, kotrappoigai aadiyaval, otrai paarvai paarthavanum.. Neeya?
On a full moon night, when I was bathing (playfully) in the stream – The one who laid his eyes on me, was it you?
Mangai maanvizhi ambugal en maarthulaithathaena?
Paandi naadanai kandu ennudal pasalai kondathenna?
Nilaavilae paarththa vannam, kannaavilae thoandrum innum
Ilaithaen thudithaen porukkavillai
Idaiyil maegalai irukkavillai
Why did the arrows from your deer like beautiful eyes pierce my heart?
Why does my body become hysterical after catching a glimpse of the Paandian king?
The silhouette that I saw under the moon light, still lingers in my dreams!
I withered, I turned restless, and I could not wait any longer,
Even the golden ornament that adorned my hips did not stay in its place (and slipped due to turmoil of waiting for her lover)
Yaayum gnaayum yaaraagiyaro, nenju naernthathaena?
Yaanum neeyum evvazhi arithum uravu saernthathaena?
Orae oru theendal seithaay, uyir kodi pootthathaena?
Semboolam saerntha neerththulipoal
Ambudai nenjam kalanthathenna?
Were my mother and your’s related to each other? how is it that our hearts blended together?
How did I and you meet and how did we bind in a relationship?
Just with a single caressing touch, how did you make my life blossom?
Just like the red soil (earth) and the water from the rain blend (beyond seperation),
Our hearts have blended together in love!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcRL-2yRojw
(The video, unfortunately, is truncated. I'm unable to find the full version)
Edited by LizzieBennet - 2 years ago
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