Song: Karineela Kannazhaki from Kannaki (2001)
Lyrics: Kaithapram Damodaran Nambudiri
Music: Kaithapram Vishwanathan Nambudiri
Playback: Chithra/M. G. Sreekumar
Filmed on: Nandita Das, Lal, Geetu Mohandas
Karineela Kannazhaki Song from Kannaki – Lyrics in English with Translation
Karineela Kannazhaki Kannaki
Kaveri Karayilethi Oh..
Kandenkilennu Kothichu Kanneer
Kanaka Chilambu Chilambi
The beauty with deep blue eyes, Kannaki
Reached the banks of the Kaveri(river)
Desired to see him once,
The teared golden anklet made a voice
Raja Radhangal Oorvalam Pokum
Mamadhurapuri Neele Thiranju
Chenthamizh Kovalane… Pavam
Throughout the kingdom of Madhurai,
Where royal chariots take procession,
She searched Tamilian, Kovalan,
The poor girl
Karineela Kannazhaki Kannaki
Kaveri Karayilethi Oh
Kandenkilennu Kothichu Kanneer
Kanaka Chilambu Chilambi
The beauty with deep blue eyes, Kannaki
Reached the banks of the Kaveri(river)
Desired to see him once,
The teared golden anklet made a voice
Adambarangalil Anthapurangal
Avalude Thengal Kelkathe Mayangi
Thamizhakam Thalarnnurangi
In the luxuries,
*Anthapurams slept peacefully,
Without listening to her sobs.
Tamil Nadu slept tired
Theruvil Theerthoru Pazhkadhayayi
Rekthathil Mungiya Rajaveedhiyayi
Chilapathikarathin Karal Thudikal
It turned into a useless story
Heard in the streets,
Became king’s law dipped in blood,
The heartbeats of Chilappathikaram
Karineela Kannazhaki Kannaki
Kaveri Karayilethi Oh….
Kandenkilennu Kothichu Kanneer
Kanaka Chilambu Chilambi
The beauty with deep blue eyes, Kannaki
Reached the banks of the Kaveri(river)
Desired to see him once,
The teared golden anklet made a voice
Ithiri Pennin Poothiri Kannil
Nakshathra Ravin Theepanthamaali
Pattanangal Pattadayayi
In the tender hands of that little girl,
The fire torch blazed in the star sky
Towns were set to fire
Aa Maril Ninnum Chimmiya Nombaram
Thiruvanchi Nadin Thilakamayi Maari
Mangalam Swargathil Niramazhayayi
The griefs scattered from her heart,
Became Thilak of *Thiruvanchinadu
Blessings poured as colour rain in heaven
Karineela Kannazhaki Kannaki
Kaveri Karayilethi Oh..
Kandenkilennu Kothichu Kanneer
Kanaka Chilambu Chilambi
The beauty with deep blue eyes, Kannaki
Reached the banks of the Kaveri(river)
Desired to see him once,
The teared golden anklet made a voice
Raja Radhangal Oorvalam Pokum
Mamadhurapuri Neele Thiranju
Chenthamizh Kovalane… Pavam
Throughout the kingdom of Madhurai,
Where royal chariots take procession,
She searched Tamilian, Kovalan,
The poor girl
Karineela Kannazhaki Kannaki
Kaveri Karayilethi Oh
Kandenkilennu Kothichu Kanneer
Kanaka Chilambu Chilambi
The beauty with deep blue eyes, Kannaki
Reached the banks of the Kaveri (river)
Desired to see him once,
The teared golden anklet made a voice
*Anthapurams – Royal apartments in palaces where females stay
The Tamil epic Silappathikaram/Chilappathikaram tells the story of Kannaki & Kovalan. As per popular belief, after burning Madurai, she moved towards Travancore, Kerala, old Thiruvanchinadu, which includes Ananthapuri/TVM, the capital city now. To please & pacify her, women cooked rice in earthen pots and served her. Very soon, Kovalan took her away to heaven (told in the last lines of the song).
The place later turned into famous Attukal Devi temple, where Pongal is still offered to the goddess. It’s the largest religious gathering of women across the world, in a single day. As per another legend, she came to Kodungallur of Thrissur district, prayed to Bhadrakali, the deity & got absorbed in the idol. Costumes shown in song – during festival season, *Komarams wear this & celebrate the eve. Read more:
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