Kanneer Poovinte Kavilil Thalodi

Kanneer poovinte kavilil thalodi
The tears caressed the cheeks of the flower
Eenam muzhangum pazhampaatil mungi
It drowned in the melodies of songs from long ago

Kanneer poovinte kavilil thalodi
The tears caressed the cheeks of the flower
Eenam muzhangum pazhampaatil mungi
It drowned in the melodies of songs from long ago

Maru vaaku kelkan kathunilkathe
Without waiting for a reply
Poo thumbi enthe maranju?
Why did the dragonfly fly away?
Enthe pullorkudam pole thengi?
Why was there weeping like a musician's pullorkudam? (pullorkudam = a music instrument made from clay, resembling a pot)

Kanner poovinte kavilil thalodi
The tears caressed the cheeks of the flower
Eenam muzhangum pazhampaatil mungi
It drowned in the melodies of songs from long ago

Unni kidavinu nalkan, amma nenjil palazhi enthi
A mother filled her breast to feed her dearest little one.
Aayiram kai neeti ninnu
And stood there spreading out her thousand hands
Soorya thaapamayi thaathante shokam
A father's sorrow faded away like the rays of the evening sun

Vida chollave, nimishangalil, janarekhakal veenalinju
In moments that bid goodbye, water ripples faded away
Kadanangalil, thunayaakuvan veruthe vithummunna mounam
Silence vainly sobs for comfort in moments of despair
Doore pullorkudam pole thengi
In the distance the weeping was like the music of a musician's pullorkudam

Kanner poovinte kavilil thalodi
The tears caressed the cheeks of the flower
Eenam muzhangum pazhampaatil mungi
It drowned in the melodies of songs from long ago

Oru kunju paattayi vithummi
The tiny little songs wept like stifled sobs
Manju poonjola entho thiranju
The misty mountain stream searched for something
Aareyo thedi pidanju
Seeking someone, fell quivering.
Kaatumorupadu naalayi alanju
The winds also have been searching for so long
Poonthennalil ponnolamaayi, oru pazhkireedam maranju
In the breeze amidst the flowers, vanity faded away like ripples of water under a golden sun

Kanivekumee venmekhavum mazhaneer kinavai maranju
The merciful full cloud also faded away like a dream of beautiful rains
Doore pullorkudam pole vingi
In the distance, the tears brimmed like the musician's pullorkudam

Kanner poovinte kavilil thalodi
The tears caressed the cheeks of the flower
Eenam muzhangum pazhampaatil mungi
It drowned in the melodies of songs from long ago

Maru vaaku kelkan kathunilkathe
Without waiting for a reply
Poo thumbi enthe maranju?
Why did the dragonfly fly away?
Enthe pullorkudam pole thengi?
Why was there weeping like a musician's pullorkudam?