Karineela Kannazhaki song from Kannaki – Lyrics in English with Translation

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 Kaveri(river)

Desired to see him once,

The teared golden anklet made 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 Kaveri(river)

Desired to see him once,

The teared golden anklet made voice

 

Adambarangalil Anthapurangal

Avalude Thengal Kelkathe Mayangi

Thamizhakam Thalarnnurangi

In the luxuries,

*Anthapurams slept peacefully,

Without listening her sobs.

Tamil Nadu slept tired

Theruvil Theerthoru Pazhkadhayayi

Rekthathil Mungiya Rajaveedhiyayi

Chilapathikarathin Karal Thudikal

It turned a useless story

Heard in the streets,

Became king’s law dipped in blood,

The heart beats 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 Kaveri(river)

Desired to see him once,

The teared golden anklet made 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 Kaveri(river)

Desired to see him once,

The teared golden anklet made 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 Kaveri(river)

Desired to see him once,

The teared golden anklet made 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 Madhurai, 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 song).

The place later turned to famous Attukal Devi temple, where Pongal is still offered to goddess. It’s the largest religious gathering of women across the world, 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: