I mentioned a while ago that I might get into translation spree, but it took a backseat for whatever reasons. So, here I translate two of my favourite songs. They are songs with deep lyrics, so even a mediocre translation would probably mean a job well done. Wish me luck :)
"Manasu Palike" from the movie "Andaala Raakshasi" (2012):
Lyrics by: Rakendu Mouli
Composed by: Radhan
Rendered by: Rakendu Mouli
So, when we watch this song in the movie, it's actually set in a poignant and somber setting. The hero is waiting for the heroine to forget her ex-lover (who is assumed to be dead at that time) and accept his love. And the heroine is still in the grieving period...in the transition so to say, and is unresponsive to his feelings.
But, when you listen to the song devoid of the context in the movie, it seems to come from a place of peace, stability and balance. It talks about love per se. It's a very satisfying feeling listening to this song at any point in time for me. Whether I was deep in void, or in waiting, in anticipation, or in pain, or in apathy or in stability...irrespective of my situation, it's always a great feeling listening to this song.
****
Manasu palike bhasha prema
The language that's spoken by heart is love
Mounamadige badhulu prema
The response that the silence seeks is love
Maranamaina thodu prema
Even in death, love is our companion
Manaki jarige maaya prema
The magic that happens to us is love
---
Gundelo vyadhalane kaalchu mante prema
The fire that burns the suffering in heart is love
Ragilina segalane aarpunadhi ee prema
It is love that dozes off the burning fire (wounds)
Aadhiyu anthamu leni payanam prema
Love is that journey that has neither beginning nor end
Vekuvai cherune cheekatintlo prema
A morning that dawns in a house of darkness, that's love
Vishwamantha unna prema, iruku yedhalo daacha galamaa
Can we confine (hide) love that encompasses this whole universe, to (in) a constricted heart?
---
Kaatilo kaaladhu thudi leni ee prema
This love that has no end, doesn't burn in the grave
Janmane koradhu, ammerugadhee prema
This love doesn't seek birth, it doesn't know its mother (it has no mother)
Dorakadhaa vethikithe kadalaina kanneeta
Can't this love be found in the tears that welled up into an ocean?
Taramaga daahame neeralle o prema
When the thirst is chasing, love comes as the water
Needaniche velugu thodu, cheekataithe emi kaanu
Light gives shadow as a companion; What will happen if that light turns into darkness?
"Maanasa Veena" from the movie "Hridayaanjali" (1998):
Lyrics by: Sirivennela Seetharama Shastry (Even before checking out, I could say he was the lyricist)
Composed by: A.R. Rehman
Rendered by: Chithra (& Shoba Shankar - intermittent and the ending humming; Along with intermittent chorus of course)
Maanasa veena, mouna swaraana, jhummani paade tholi bhupalam (Repeat)
The veena of my heart, on its note of silence, started singing (playing) flamboyantly the first morning raaga (bhupalam is also a ragam in carnatic music). (Repeat)
Pachhadanala paanupu paina, ammai nelaa jokodutunte (Repeat)
While earth becomes my mother lullabying me to sleep on the bed of greenery (Repeat)
Maanasa veena, mouna swaraana, jhummani paade tholi bhupalam
The veena of my heart, on its note of silence, started singing (playing) flamboyantly the first morning raaga.
---
Punnami nadhilo viharinchaali, puvvula valloo pulakinchali
I should wander in the river under full moon; I should rejoice in the lap of flowers
Paavuramalle paikegarali, tolakari jallai digiraavali
I should fly up like a pigeon; And should come down like the first monsoon drizzle
Taarala podarinta ratiri majili, vekuva venuventa nelaku tarali
A night adventure under the envelope of stars; Will reach back to the land immediately after the dawn
Kotha svechhakandinchaali naa hridayaanjali
I should offer salutations from the bottom of my heart to this new-found freedom.
Maanasa veena, mouna swaraana, jhummani paade tholi bhupalam
The veena of my heart, on its note of silence, started singing (playing) flamboyantly the first morning raaga.
---
(Chorus)
Vaagula nestam chelarege, vegame ishtam manalage
Ningike nityam edurege pantame yeppudu naa sontham (Repeat)
My river friend is surging; It likes speed just like us.
The stubbornness to go against sky, is mine, always. (Repeat)
---
Oohaku neeve oopiri posi, choopave daari o chirugaali
By giving life to an imagination (thought), show (me/us) the path, o wind
Kalalaku saitham sankelavesi, kalimi yedaari dhaatinchaali
By chaining (curbing) even dreams, it should enable (me/us) to cross the rich desert
Tuntari tooneeganai tiragaali, dosedu oosulu teesukuvelli
I should wander like the mischevious mayfly; By taking a handful of gossips (words/conversations)...
Peydha garika poolaku isthaa naa hridayaanjali
...I will give my heartfelt salutations to the poor grass flowers.
---
Maanasa veena, mouna swaraana, jhummani paade tholi bhupalam (Repeat)
The veena of my heart, on its note of silence, started singing (playing) flamboyantly the first morning raaga (bhupalam is also a ragam in carnatic music). (Repeat)
Pachhadanala paanupu paina, ammai nelaa jokodutunte (Repeat)
While earth becomes my mother lullabying me to sleep on the bed of greenery (Repeat)
Maanasa veena, mouna swaraana, jhummani paade tholi bhupalam
The veena of my heart, on its note of silence, started singing (playing) flamboyantly the first morning raaga.
---
(Chorus)
Vaagula nestam chelarege, vegame ishtam manalage
Ningike nityam edurege pantame yeppudu naa sontham (Repeat)
My river friend is surging; It likes speed just like us.
The stubbornness to go against sky, is mine, always. (Repeat)
