Hariharan delivers Mu. Metha’s lyrics in Ilayaraja’s Kasi soundtrack. The melody combines with detailed sensory descriptions of non-visual experiences. Mu. Metha frames perception through scent, touch, and sound rather than sight. Hariharan’s vocal performance carries the characterization of a visually impaired artist.
The lyrics note perceiving smiles through floral scents and waterfalls through touch. One couplet observes audience recognition through reverse visibility: “You see my face though I haven’t seen yours.” Mu. Metha later connects material poverty directly to creative abundance, citing imagination’s door opening through hardship.
Nan Kanum UlagangalThe worlds that I can see,
Yar Kana KoodumWho else could ever know?
Nan Kanum UlagangalThe worlds that I can see,
Yar Kana KoodumWho else could ever know?
Solvathu Yar SolWhose words are you speaking?
Pen Panith ThuliyeOh, you gentle drop of dew.
Mellena Per SolSoftly tell me your name,
Pasum PulveliyeOh, you lush green meadow.
Ennai Kanum Annai BhoomiMother Earth is the one who sees me.
Unnai Kanave IngeJust to see you here,
Vendum Innum Oor JenmamI’d ask for another lifetime.
Vanampadi Pol PadumSinging like a ‘vanampadi’ skylark,
Vazhakkai Endrume VendumI want a life like that forever.
Nan Kanum UlagangalThe worlds that I can see,
Yar Kana KoodumWho else could ever know?
Pooththidum Pookkalai ParththathillaiI’ve never seen the flowers that bloom,
Adhan Punnagai Manam ArivenBut I know their smile through their scent.
Kottidum Aruviyai ParththathillaiI’ve never seen the cascading waterfall,
Kai Thottathan UnaivarivenBut I know its feeling from my touch.
Kukukkuk Koovena Koovum KuyilgalinWith the ‘cuckoos’ cooing their song,
Koottaththila Nan InaivenI will join their flock.
Kattukkadanga Ninaivil KarpanaiIn my untamed memories, my imagination,
Rekkai ViriththiduvenWill spread its wings and fly.
Ungal Mugam ParththathillaiI’ve never seen any of your faces,
Varunthavillai NanBut I don’t feel any sorrow.
En Mugaththai Neengal EllamIt’s because you all can see,
ParppathinalthanMy face instead.
Ungal Medai Padagan NanI’m the singer on your stage.
Nan Kanum UlagangalThe worlds that I can see,
Yar Kana KoodumWho else could ever know?
Nan Kanum UlagangalThe worlds that I can see,
Yar Kana KoodumWho else could ever know?
Raththiri Pechinil Amma KadhaigalilIn my mother’s bedtime stories,
Pooththathu Pala NinaivuSo many memories blossomed.
Kettidum Kadhaikalil Kalanthe UlavidaMixing in with the stories I heard,
Suttri Varum KanavuMy dreams would wander all around.
Kattravar Pesida Kadhil KettathilFrom the words of the wise I heard,
Pettrathellam VaravuEverything I gained was income.
Vattiya Varumaiyil Enakkul ThiranthathuIn withering poverty, something opened inside me,
Karpanaiyin KadhavuThe door of imagination.
Vazhvinai NanI found out what life was,
Kandukonden ThedalilthaneThrough this search of mine.
Vazhakkai Padum PattinileIn the song that life sings,
Padagan AneneI became a singer.
Pattil Vazhum Poonguyil NanI’m the songbird that lives in the music.
Nan Kanum UlagangalThe worlds that I can see,
Yar Kana KoodumWho else could ever know?
Nan Kanum UlagangalThe worlds that I can see,
Yar Kana KoodumWho else could ever know?
Solvathu Yar SolWhose words are you speaking?
Pen Panith ThuliyeOh, you gentle drop of dew.
Mellena Per SolSoftly tell me your name,
Pasum PulveliyeOh, you lush green meadow.
Ennai Kanum Annai BhoomiMother Earth is the one who sees me.
Unnai Kanave IngeJust to see you here,
Vendum Innum Oor JenmamI’d ask for another lifetime.
Vanampadi Pol PadumSinging like a ‘vanampadi’ skylark,
Vazhakkai Endrume VendumI want a life like that forever.
Mu. Metha demonstrates perception via soundscapes creates parallel realities for artists. The Naan Kaanum Ulagangal lyrics meaning becomes clearer through detailed translations showing bodily awareness compensating for sight. Creative resilience forms through physical limitations and resource constraints.
