Asai Mukham Marandu Poche | Bharathiyar Poems

 ASAI MUKHAM MARANDU POCHE

"Aasai Mugam Marandu Poche" is a poem written by Subramaniya 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 unto 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 poems is written apparently lamenting the loss of a picture of his mother. 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. This rendition by Singer Suchitra 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 have find more on the lyrics, meanings. These lyrics below are also thanks to many people on the internet.

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.  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. 

PALLAVI

Asai mukham maranthu poche-idai,

Aaridam cholvenadi thozhi

ANUPALLAVI

Nesham marakkavillai nenjam yenil,

Ninaivu mukam marakkalamo ?

CHARANAM

Kannil theriyudhoru thotham - athil,

Kannan azhagu muzhudillai,

Nannu mukha vadivu kanil - antha,

Nalla malar chirippai kanom

Oyvum ozhithalum illamal - avan,

Uravai ninaithirukkum ullam,

Vayu muraippathundu kanday - antha

Mayan pugainai yeppothum

Kangal purinthuvita pavam - uyir,

Kannan uru marakkalachu,

Pen kal idathil idhu pole - Oru,

Pethayai munbu kandathundo

Thenai maranthirukkum vandum - oli,

chirappai maranthu vitta poovum,

Vanai marathirukkum payirum - intha,

Vaiyam muzhuthum illai thozhi

Kannan mukham maranthu ponal - Indha,

Kangal irundhy pyan undo,

Vanna padamum illai kandai - ini,

vazhum vazhi yennadi thozhi

TRANSLATION

PALLAVI

I have forgotten the face that I love,

Dear friend, to whom shall I tell this

ANUPALLAVI

When the heart has not forgotten the love,

Is it proper to forget the face from memory ?

CHARANAM

1. A form is seen by my eyes,

In which I do not see the full beauty of Krishna,

When I see the form of his face I am not able,

To see his flower like smile in that.

2. Without any let of, my mind,

Thinks of my relationship with him,

And you have seen that my mouth,

Always tells about his fame.

3. Due to the sin done by my eyes,

The form of Krishna was forgotten,

Have you seen among women,

An innocent one like this ever ?

4. Oh my friend in this entire world, there is no,

Bee which has forgotten the honey,

Flower that has forgotten the necessity of light,

And the crop which has forgotten the sky.

5. What is the use of having these eyes,

If we forget the face of Lord Krishna ?

You know that I do not have his color portrait,

And Now what is the way to live ?

similar songs,