Kurai Ondrum Illai

I was listening the song- "Kurai Ondrum Illai" from a recently released Tamil movie “Arai En 305il Kadavul” It is simply a take off the famous Carnatic 'keerthana', Kuraio Ondrukm Illai (written Rajagopalachari)


The voice of MS Subbulakshmi, well defined, strong but graceful, and inspirational. Tamil literature, has a rich and long literary tradition spanning more than two thousand years. The oldest extant works show signs of maturity indicating an even longer period of evolution.

Tamil poetry, the little that I have ever understood, or tried to understand seems delicate. Rajaji’s lines were very simple, Which meant that I had little trouble understanding the meaning on the song beyond its perceptible façade. It is this beauty of simplicity that outperformed and amazed me.

Here is the lyrics;

kuRai onRum illai maRaiMoorththi kaNNaa
kuRai onRum illai kaNNaa
kuRai onRum illai GOvinthaa

kaNNukku Theriyaamal niRkinRaay kaNNaa
kaNNukku Theriyaamal ninRaalum enakku
kuRai onRum illai maRaiMoorththi kaNNaa

VEndiyathai thanNthida VEnkaTEsan enRirukka
VEndiyathu VERillai maRaiMoorththi kaNNaa
maNivaNNaa malaiappaa GOvinthaa GOvinthaa

thiraiyin pin niRkinRaay kaNNaa - unnai
maRai Othum NYaaniyar mattuME kaaNpaar
enRaalum kuRai onRum enakkillai kaNNaa

kunRin MEl kallaaki niRkinRa varathaa
kuRai onRum illai maRaiMoorththi kaNNaa
maNivaNNaa malaiappaa GOvinthaa GOvinthaa

kalinNaaLukkiranNgi kallilE iRangi
nilaiyaaga KOvilil niRkinRaay KEsavaa

yaathum maRukkaatha malaiyappaa - un maarbil
Ethum thara niRkum karuNai kadal annai
enRum irunthida Ethu kuRai enakku
onRum kuRai illai maRaiMoorththi kaNNaa
maNivaNNaa malaiappaa GOvinthaa GOvinthaa


Simply translated to English:

I have no complaints, my Lord
None
Lord of Wisdom
Kannan!
Though you stand
Where I cannot see You,
My light, my very eyes,
Protector of all beings,
I know You sustain me
O Lord of the pure Venkata hill!
You meet my hunger, my thirst
My hope, my prayer
You keep me from harm,
I need nothing else
Father of the Seven Hills,
Govinda! Govinda!

You stand veiled by a screen
Which only the learned can part
For they are wise
Which I am not
But no, no complaints have I.
You stand as the crown of Venkata
Giver of Boons
Immutable God
Father to these hills
I have no complaints
Govinda! Govinda!

In this Kaliyuga
You have entered the sanctum
You have come to stay at Tirumala
Where, though I see you not,
I have no complaints.
Keshava!

When Mahalakshmi is there with You
To stay on Your chest,
Why should I have any complaints?

I have no complaints, none at all Kannan
I have no complaints, no complaints Govinda
Govinda! Govinda!
Govinda! Govinda!


It is extremely difficult to express such emotions explicitly, but this master piece is a paradigm to the insightful literature and poetry evident in the Tamil Language. Words might appear so empty and void, but it is the mere comprehension of those lyrics that inspire and cherish us in life when we are emotionally down. Since Poetry is contextual; it is greatly dependant on ones existing circumstance and life journey that constructs a being to appreciate such great songs with greater meaning and depth. This song teaches us to be appreciative and grateful for what god has blessed us with. One of life’s most important lessons to be learnt