"Aasai Mugam Marandhu Pochae" is poem written by Subramania Bharathi, or simply referred fondly as Bharathi or formally with his title as "Maha Kavi" Bharathiyar.
So many of his poems are written with a passion for Kannan. Kannan is an interesting term that used in Thamizh culture. A direct reference to Lord Krishna, who affectionately called as Kannan, specially manifesting as the naughty child constantly upto some mischief. Numerous stories that glorify these acts. But this term therefore also equally applies to that special someone in your life that you love or are fond of.
This poem is written apparently lamenting the loss of a picture of his mother, the only one had (as per numerous sites and references on the web). However he played with words, specially using the term Kannan to allow dual references. Allowing the listener to apply the meaning appropriately.
I came across this song on youtube quite by accident while i was still recovering from my Covid-19 attack. This rendition by Suchitra quickly caught my fancy. Bharathi words, or maybe because heard a few other poems, are relatively easy to grasp and understand. After playing it on loop for sometime, i had find more on the lyrics, meanings. Thats when i came across the story behind the song. These lyrics below are also thanks to many people on the internet.
The english means as usual are mine, using my poetic license and ability to choose the most appropriate words to bring the best of the emotion and love associated with the poem.
The youtube video below of Suchi is the best i found. There were other renditions that attempted to fuse new music, or rendered in traditional carnatic style. The purists dont like her rendition, as is noted by a few on the comments. But there are always these egocentric uncles and aunties, who wont allow any freedom. Well, Suchi has done an excellent job, keeping it simple, and allowing the words to express its emotions and warmth, without overpowering music or using those puristic banal tones. More importantly her pronunciation of Thamizh words are also perfect. It still playing in loop. She unfortunately skipped a couple of verses (3rd and 5th), i guess to keep it short and grasp attention of today's music aficionados. Beautiful, i only wish there was a longer and complete version for people like me.
Tamil
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English
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English
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| ஆசை முகம் மறந்து போச்சே -இதை யாரிடம் சொல்வேனடி தோழி? நேசம் மறக்கவில்லை நெஞ்சம் - எனில் நினைவு முகம் மறக்கலாமோ? |
aasai mugam maRandhu pochae - idhai yaaridam solvaenadi thozhi? naesam maRakkavillai nenjam - enil ninaivu mugam maRakkalaamo? |
Lovely face i seem to have forgotten Who will i tell this aching to, my friend? The desire my heart couldn’t forget But then to forget the beautiful face? |
| கண்ணில் தெரியுதொரு தோற்றம் - அதில் கண்ணன் அழகு முழுதில்லை; நண்ணு முகவடிவு காணில்-அந்த நல்ல மலர்ச்சிரிப்பைக் காணோம். |
kaNNil theriyudhoru thotRam - adhil kaNNan azhagu muzhudhillai; naNNu mugavadivu kaaNil - andha nalla malarchiripai kaaNom. |
My eyes visualizes a form Where Kannan's allure is not complete Contours of a face, i see That blossoming smile is missing. |
| ஓய்வு மொழிதலும் இல்லாமல் - அவன் உறவை நினைத்திருக்கும் உள்ளம் வாயும் உரைப்பதுண்டு கண்டாய் - அந்த மாயன் புகழினை எப்போதும். |
oayvu mozhidhalum illaamal - avan uRavai ninaithirukkum uLLam vaayum uraippadhuNdu kaNdaay - andha maayan pugazhinai eppodhum. |
Without a break I keep thinking about him My mouth chanting constantly this charmer’s glory. |
| கண்கள் புரிந்துவிட்ட பாவம் - உயிர்க் கண்ணன் உருமறக்கலாச்சு; பெண்கள் இனத்தில் இது போல - ஒரு பேதையை முன்பு கண்டதுண்டோ? |
kaNkaL purindhuvitta paavam - uyir kaNNan urumaRakkalaachu; peNkaL inathil idhu pola - oru paedhaiyai munpu kaNdadhuNdo? |
My eyes realize its sins, Image of Kannan that it forgets Among all women everywhere A bewitched one like me, nobody will see |
| தேனை மறந்திருக்கும் வண்டும் - ஒளிச் சிறப்பை மறந்துவிட்ட பூவும் வானை மறந்திருக்கும் பயிரும் - இந்த வைய முழுதுமில்லை தோழி |
thaenai maRandhirukkum vaNdum - oLi siRappai maRandhuvitta poovum vaanai maRandhirukkum payirum - indha vaiya muzhudhumillai thozhi |
Bee that ignores honey Flower that neglects light Seedlings that disregards sky No where in the world you will see, my friend |
| கண்ணன் முகம் மறந்து போனால் - இந்தக் கண்கள் இருந்து பயனுண்டோ? வண்ணப் படமும் இல்லை கண்டாய் - இனி வாழும் வழி என்னடி தோழி? |
kaNNan mugam maRandhu ponaal - indha kaNkaL irundhu payanuNdo? vaNNa padamum illai kaNdaay - ini vaazhum vazhi ennadi thozhi? |
If I should forget Kannan's face These eyes have no value No framed picture to see What will i do with this life, my friend |
