“Sengaiyil Vandu” by P. Leela and others appears on the album ‘Kuravanji’. The lyrics were written by Thirikooda Rasappa Kavirayar with music by T. R. Pappa. It opens by describing a beautiful woman playing with a ball, her movements confident and victorious.
Sengaiyil Vandu
A. P. Komala | P. Leela • From “Kuravanji”
Kuravanji’s Sengaiyil Vandu Lyrics Translation
The song’s viewpoint then changes to a lovesick woman addressing the moon. She asks why the moon, born of coolness, now burns her with its light. This section introduces a feeling of loneliness and separation.
Sengaiyil Vandu KalinendruThe anklets on her fair hands chimed,
Seyang SeyamendradaSinging “victory, victory.”
Idai Sangathamendru Silambhu PulampoduHer waist beads joined in harmony with the lament of her bangles,
Thandai KalanthadaAnd mingled with the sound of her anklets.
Sengaiyil Vandu KalinendruThe anklets on her fair hands chimed,
Seyang SeyamendradaSinging “victory, victory.”
Idai Sangathamendru Silambhu PulampoduHer waist beads joined in harmony with the lament of her bangles,
Thandai KalanthadaAnd mingled with the sound of her anklets.
Iru Kongai Kodum PagaiHer two full breasts, a fierce challenge,
VendranamendruShe declared them conquered
Kuzhaindhu KuzhaindhadaAs she swayed with graceful ease.
Malar Paingodi Nangai Vasantha SoundhariThe flower-like, slender vine of a woman, a springtime beauty,
Pandhu PayindraleWas playing with a ball.
Kongai Kodum PagaiHer two full breasts, a fierce challenge,
VendranamendruShe declared them conquered
Kuzhaindhu KuzhaindhadaAs she swayed with graceful ease.
Malar Paingodi Nangai Vasantha SoundhariThe flower-like, slender vine of a woman, a springtime beauty,
Pandhu PayindraleWas playing with a ball.
Kongai Kodum PagaiHer two full breasts, a fierce challenge,
VendranamendruShe declared them conquered
Kuzhaindhu KuzhaindhadaAs she swayed with graceful ease.
Malar Paingodi Nangai Vasantha SoundhariThe flower-like, slender vine of a woman, a springtime beauty,
Pandhu PayindraleWas playing with a ball.
Aval Pandhu PayindraleShe was playing with her ball.
Thanamudhudan PirandhaiYou were born with cool nectar,
VennilavaOh, full moon.
Thanamudhudan PirandhaiYou were born with cool nectar,
VennilavaOh, full moon.
Andha Thannaliyai Yen MarandhaiSo why have you forgotten your own nature,
VennilaveOh, full moon?
Thanamudhudan PirandhaiYou were born with cool nectar,
VennilavaOh, full moon.
Andha Thannaliyai Yen MarandhaiSo why have you forgotten your own nature,
VennilaveOh, full moon?
Thanamudhudan PirandhaiYou were born with cool nectar,
VennilavaOh, full moon.
Pennudan PirandhadhundooWere you perhaps born alongside a woman,
VennilaveOh, full moon?
Pennudan PirandhadhundooWere you perhaps born alongside a woman,
VennilaveOh, full moon?
Endhan Penmai KandungIs it seeing my womanhood that
Kayalamo VennilaveMakes you burn so, oh, full moon?
Thanamudhudan PirandhaiYou were born with cool nectar,
VennilavaOh, full moon.
Andha Thannaliyai Yen MarandhaiSo why have you forgotten your own nature,
VennilaveOh, full moon?
Thanamudhudan PirandhaiYou were born with cool nectar,
VennilavaOh, full moon.
Solla Kelai KuriListen, I’ll tell your fortune.
Solla KelaiListen now.
Mullai PoonguzhalaleOh, you with jasmine flowers in your hair,
Solla KelaiListen now.
Nannagaril Vazhum MuthuYou are the pearl who lives in this great city,
Mohana PasungiliyeA beautiful, green parrot.
Solla Kelai KuriListen, I’ll tell your fortune.
Solla KelaiListen now.
Thoghai Nee Avanai KanduMy dear peacock, you saw him and
Mogithai AmmeFell under his spell, my lady.
Adhu Solla BayanthirunthenI was hesitant to say it,
SolluvenBut I will tell you now.
Thoghai Nee Avanai KanduMy dear peacock, you saw him and
Mogithai AmmeFell under his spell, my lady.
Adhu Solla BayanthirunthenI was hesitant to say it,
SolluvenBut I will tell you now.
Moghiniye Unnudaiye KirukiruppellamOh, enchantress, all this dizziness you feel,
Avan Mogha KirukiruppadiIs nothing but a reflection of his own obsession for you,
Mohana KalliYou captivating thief.
Solla Kelai KuriListen, I’ll tell your fortune.
Solla KelaiListen now.
Irunda Megam Suttri SurunduWith her hair coiled like a dark cloud,
Suzhiyeriyum KondaiyalTwisting into a vortex,
Kuzhaiyeri Adi Nenjai SooraiyadumAnd her gaze, piercing through her earrings, plunders the heart
Vizhi KendaiyalWith her fish-shaped eyes.
Irunda Megam Suttri SurunduWith her hair coiled like a dark cloud,
Suzhiyeriyum KondaiyalTwisting into a vortex,
Kuzhaiyeri Adi Nenjai SooraiyadumAnd her gaze, piercing through her earrings, plunders the heart
Vizhi KendaiyalWith her fish-shaped eyes.
Arambai DhesavillumEven celestial nymphs would
Virumbhi Asai Kollum PuruvathalDesire and covet her eyebrows.
Arambai DhesavillumEven celestial nymphs would
Virumbhi Asai Kollum PuruvathalDesire and covet her eyebrows.
Pirar Arivai Mayakkum Oru KaruvamirukkuThere is an instrument that can bewilder the minds of others
Mangai Paruvathal Mangai ParuvathalWithin a woman’s youth, within her very prime.
Pirar Arivai Mayakkum Oru KaruvamirukkuThere is an instrument that can bewilder the minds of others
Mangai Paruvathal Mangai ParuvathalWithin a woman’s youth, within her very prime.
Sengaiyil Vandu Music Video
The final part introduces a fortune-teller who directly addresses the woman. She explains that the woman’s dizziness is a product of her lover’s own infatuation. The piece completes a journey from a public performance to a private pain and then to a shared romantic promise.