kurai ondrum illai

kurai ondrum illai
marai moorthi kanna
kurai ondrum illai kanna
kurai ondrum illai govinda

kurai ondrum illai
marai moorthi kanna
kurai ondrum illai kanna
kurai ondrum illai govinda

kannukku theriyamal nirkindraai kanna
kannukku theriyamal nindraalum yenakku
kurai ondrum illai
marai moorthi kanna

vendiyathai thandhida
venketesan yenrirukka
vendiyathu verillai
marai moorthi kanna

manivanna malaiyappa
govinda govinda

thirayin pin nirkinrai kanna - kannaa
thirayin pin nirkinrai kanna
unnai marayodhum nyaaniyar mattume kaanbar
thirayin pin nirkinrai kanna
unnai marayodhum nyaniyar mattume kaanbar
endralum kurai ondrum enakkillai kanna
endralum kurai ondrum enakkillai kanna

kundrin mel kallagi nirkinra varadha
kundrin mel kallagi nirkinra varadha
kurai ondrum illai
marai moorthi kanna
kurai ondrum illai
marai moorthi kanna

manivanna malaiyappa
govinda govinda

kalinaalukkirangi kallile irangi
nilaayaaga kovilil nirkindraai kesava
kalinaalukkirangi kallile irangi
nilaayaaga kovilil nirkindraai kesava
kurai ondrum illai
marai moorthi kanna

yaarum marukkadha malayappaa
yaarum marukkadha malayappa - un maarbil
yethum thara nirkum karunai kadal annai
endrum irundhida yedhu kurai enakku
endrum irundhida yedhu kurai enakku
ondrum kurai illai
marai moorthi kanna
ondrum kurai illai
marai moorthi kanna

manivanna malaiyappa
govinda govinda
govinda govinda
govinda govinda



The translation


kurai ondrum illai
marai moorthi kanna
kurai ondrum illai kanna
kurai ondrum illai govinda


i dont have (illai) any ( ondrum ) woes ( kurai )
marai moorthi kanna
( kanna personified by vedas )
kurai ondrum illai govinda

kannukku theriyamal nirkindraai kanna
( you stand in a place i cant see kanna )
kannukku theriyamal nindraalum yenakku
(even if u stand in a place i cant see )
kurai ondrum illai
marai moorthi kanna
( i still have no woes kanna )


vendiyathai thandhida
venketesan yenrirukka
( when i have lord venkatesa to give what i need )
vendiyathu verillai
marai moorthi kanna
( i dont have anything i need kanna )

manivanna malaiyappa
govinda govinda
( various references for kanna )

thirayin pin nirkinrai kanna - kannaa
( you stand behind a screen kanna )
unnai marayodhum nyaaniyar mattume kaanbar
( only the rishis reciting vedas can see you )
endralum kurai ondrum enakkillai kanna
( still i have no woes kanna
even if i cant see you )


kundrin mel kallagi nirkinra varadha
(you are standing like a stone on the hilltop)
kurai ondrum illai
marai moorthi kanna
( yet i have no woes kanna )

kalinaalukkirangi kallile irangi
(taken this stone-form in kaliyuga )
nilaayaaga kovilil nirkindraai kesava
(and staying in this temple permanently )
kurai ondrum illai
marai moorthi kanna
( still i have no woes kanna )

yaarum marukkadha malayappaa
yaarum marukkadha malayappa - un maarbil
( with the lord who doesnt refuse the prayers of devotees )
yethum thara nirkum karunai kadal annai
( having ever-merciful goddess lakshmi on his chest )
endrum irundhida yedhu kurai enakku
( how can i ever have any woes )

ondrum kurai illai
marai moorthi kanna
( no woes i have kanna )

About the author

Written by Rajaji who is neither a regular composer nor a
musician and considered as one of the leading reformers of
modern india.Rajaji's english translation of mahabaratha
is still used in universities world-wide.One thing to
be noted is that rajaji doesnt make a distinction between
kanna ( krishna ) and govinda of tirupati.
The reason i like this song so much is that unlike other
devotional songs,it doesnt lament nor ask god for fame,
wealth or money.Being someone who walks the fine line
between devotion and aethism,this is more of an anthem
to me.Yet another reason for adoring this is MS
Subbulakshmi's rendition.Must listen track for anybody.