Kurai Onrum Illai
Encyclopedia
Kurai Onrum Illai (English
: No regrets have I) is a Tamil devotional song written by C. Rajagopalachari
. The song was written in praise of the Hindu god Vishnu
(also known as Krishna
or Venkateswara) and is set in Carnatic music
.
Kurai Onrum Illai is one of the few songs written by Indian politician, freedom-fighter and Governor-General, Chakravarti Rajagopalachari. This song is unique because it does not assume the tone of devoted prayer as most Hindu devotional songs but one of contented-thankfulness to God. The song comprises 3 stanzas each set in three different ragas'.
Kurai Onrum Illai is a very popular song in Tamil Nadu
and is sung in the 'thukda' section of many Carnatic concerts. The song was covered and released for the S Pictures
film, Arai En 305-il Kadavul
.
, Chakravarti Rajagopalachari. Rajagopalachari, or Rajaji was he was popularly known, was a religious Hindu and a devout Vaishnavite. Apart from his illustrious political career, he is also known to have authored books on history, religion, politics and Hindu mythology. His translations of the Ramayana
and Mahabharata
are considered classics and are used by American universities as a part of their syllabus on "Oriental Studies".
However, Rajaji is not a popular composer of Carnatic music and "Kurai Onrum Illai" is his sole Carnatic composition that has gained widespread recognition. The song depicts his intense devotion to God.
The date of the composition is not clearly known. It is wrongly believed that the song was sung at the UN in 1966 by MS United Nations
. In fact the song which was sung was an English Hymn "May the Lord forgive our sins" also composed by Rajaji.
The song was set to tune by Kadayanallur Venkatraman.
குறை ஒன்றும் இல்லை கண்ணா
குறை ஒன்றும் இல்லை கோவிந்தா
குறை ஒன்றும் இல்லை மறைமூர்த்தி கண்ணா
குறை ஒன்றும் இல்லை கண்ணா
குறை ஒன்றும் இல்லை கோவிந்தா
கண்ணுக்குத் தெரியாமல் நிற்கின்றாய் கண்ணா
கண்ணுக்குத் தெரியாமல் நின்றாலும் எனக்கு
குறை ஒன்றும் இல்லை மறைமூர்த்தி கண்ணா
வேண்டியதைத் தந்திட வேங்கடேசன் என்றிருக்க
வேண்டியது வேறில்லை மறைமூர்த்தி கண்ணா
மணிவண்ணா மலையப்பா கோவிந்தா கோவிந்தா கோவிந்தா கோவிந்தா
திரையின்பின் நிற்கின்றாய் கண்ணா
கண்ணா திரையின்பின் நிற்கின்றாய் கண்ணா - உன்னை
மறையோதும் ஞானியர் மட்டுமே காண்பார்
திரையின்பின் நிற்கின்றாய் கண்ணா - உன்னை
மறையோதும் ஞானியர் மட்டுமே காண்பார்
என்றாலும் குறை ஒன்றும் எனக்கில்லை கண்ணா
என்றாலும் குறை ஒன்றும் எனக்கில்லை கண்ணா
குன்றின்மேல் கல்லாகி நிற்கின்ற வரதா
குன்றின்மேல் கல்லாகி நிற்கின்ற வரதா
குறை ஒன்றும் இல்லை மறைமூர்த்தி கண்ணா
குறை ஒன்றும் இல்லை மறைமூர்த்தி கண்ணா
மணிவண்ணா மலையப்பா கோவிந்தா கோவிந்தா கோவிந்தா கோவிந்தா
கலினாளுக்கிறங்கி கல்லிலே இறங்கி
நிலையாகக் கோவிலில் நிற்கின்றாய் கேசவா
கலினாளுக்கிறங்கி கல்லிலே இறங்கி
நிலையாகக் கோவிலில் நிற்கின்றாய் கேசவா
குறை ஒன்றும் இல்லை மறைமூர்த்தி கண்ணா
யாதும் மறுக்காத மலையப்பா
யாதும் மறுக்காத மலையப்பா உன் மார்பில்
ஏதும் தர நிற்கும் கருணைக் கடல் அன்னை
என்றும் இருந்திட ஏது குறை எனக்கு
என்றும் இருந்திட ஏது குறை எனக்கு
ஒன்றும் குறையில்லை மறை மூர்த்தி கண்ணா
ஒன்றும் குறையில்லை மறை மூர்த்தி கண்ணா
மணிவண்ணா மலையப்பா கோவிந்தா கோவிந்தா கோவிந்தா கோவிந்தா
கோவிந்தா கோவிந்தா கோவிந்தா கோவிந்தா
kurai ōnrum illai, Kanna!
kurai ōnrum illai, Gōvinda!
Kannukku theriyāmal nirkinrāy kanna;
kannukku theriyāmal ninrālum enakku
kurai ōnrum illai maraimūrttik kanna.
Vendiyadhai thandhida Venkatesan enrirukka,
Vendiyadhu ver illai maraimūrthi kanna-
Manivannā! Malaiyappā! Gōvinda! Gōvinda!
Tiraiyinpin nirkinrāy kanna - unnai
marai ōdum gnaniyar mattume kanpar,
enralum kurai onrum enakku illai kanna.
Kunrin mel kallākki nirkinra varadā
kurai onrum illai, Maraimūrthi kanna!
Manivannā! Malaiyappā! Gōvinda! Gōvinda! Govinda!Govinda!
Kalinānukkirangi, kallile irangi,
nilaiyāka kōvilil nirkinrāy kesavā
Yādum marukkāda malaiyappā – un mārbil
Edum tara nirkum karunai kadal annai
enrum irundhida ædu kurai enakku
ōnrum kurai illai maraimūrthi kanna
Manivannā! Malaiyappā! Gōvinda! Gōvinda!!!
dated December 22, 2002.
No regrets have I
My lord,
None.
Lord of the Written Word,
My light, my sight,
My very eyes
No regrets,
None.
Though you stand
Where I behold you not
My light, my very eyes,
Protector of all earthlings
I know you sustain me
Lord of the Venkata Hill so pure
You meet my hunger, my thirst
My hope, my prayer
You keep me from harm,
Lord of the Sparkling Gems,
I need naught else
Father of the Seven Hills,
Naught else.
You stand — do you not? —
Veiled by a screen
Only the learned can part
For they are the learned
Which I am not
But no, no regrets have I.
Crowning this hill
You stand as rock
Giver of Boons
Immutable God
Father to these hills
No regrets have I
Govinda !
In this benighted Age of ours
Lord —
The worst of all the Four —
You have entered
The sanctum
A shaft of granite
Where though I see you not
No regrets have I.
Boulder of strength
With the Ocean,
Heaving on your breast,
Of the purest compassion —
My Mother,
My very own, who grants
Anything I ask of her
Can I possibly have regrets?
The two of you, I know,
Stand there for me
Eternally
No regrets have I my Govinda
None, none whatsoever
Govinda! Govinda!
Govinda! Govinda!
Rajaji's grandson Gopal Gandhi believes that there were multiple factors that led to the composition. He also suspects the presence of hidden meanings in the song. He believes that the song had been inspired by an incident which took place in the shrine of Tirupathi in 1925, when Rajaji had defended the right of an untouchable to enter the shrine of Tirupathi. Gopal Gandhi believes that Rajaji compares the untouchable's inability to have a glimpse of his favorite God to his own inability to have a glimpse of the invisible creator.
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
: No regrets have I) is a Tamil devotional song written by C. Rajagopalachari
C. Rajagopalachari
Chakravarti Rajagopalachari , informally called Rajaji or C.R., was an Indian lawyer, independence activist, politician, writer and statesman. Rajagopalachari was the last Governor-General of India...
. The song was written in praise of the Hindu god Vishnu
Vishnu
Vishnu is the Supreme god in the Vaishnavite tradition of Hinduism. Smarta followers of Adi Shankara, among others, venerate Vishnu as one of the five primary forms of God....
(also known as Krishna
Krishna
Krishna is a central figure of Hinduism and is traditionally attributed the authorship of the Bhagavad Gita. He is the supreme Being and considered in some monotheistic traditions as an Avatar of Vishnu...
or Venkateswara) and is set in Carnatic music
Carnatic music
Carnatic music is a system of music commonly associated with the southern part of the Indian subcontinent, with its area roughly confined to four modern states of India: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu...
.
Kurai Onrum Illai is one of the few songs written by Indian politician, freedom-fighter and Governor-General, Chakravarti Rajagopalachari. This song is unique because it does not assume the tone of devoted prayer as most Hindu devotional songs but one of contented-thankfulness to God. The song comprises 3 stanzas each set in three different ragas'.
Kurai Onrum Illai is a very popular song in Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
and is sung in the 'thukda' section of many Carnatic concerts. The song was covered and released for the S Pictures
S Pictures
S Pictures is a film production company owned by film director S. Shankar. Many of the films it produced are commercial hits with moderate budget.-Filmography:-See also:* S. Shankar* S Musics - Director Shankar's Newly formed Audio Release Record label....
film, Arai En 305-il Kadavul
Arai En 305-il Kadavul
Arai Enn 305-il Kadavul is a Tamil film directed by Chimbu deven. The film stars comedian Santhanam, Ganja Karuppu, Prakash Raj, Jyothirmayi, and Madhumitha...
.
History
Kurai Onrum Illai was composed by Indian politician, statesman and Governor-General of IndiaGovernor-General of India
The Governor-General of India was the head of the British administration in India, and later, after Indian independence, the representative of the monarch and de facto head of state. The office was created in 1773, with the title of Governor-General of the Presidency of Fort William...
, Chakravarti Rajagopalachari. Rajagopalachari, or Rajaji was he was popularly known, was a religious Hindu and a devout Vaishnavite. Apart from his illustrious political career, he is also known to have authored books on history, religion, politics and Hindu mythology. His translations of the Ramayana
Ramayana
The Ramayana is an ancient Sanskrit epic. It is ascribed to the Hindu sage Valmiki and forms an important part of the Hindu canon , considered to be itihāsa. The Ramayana is one of the two great epics of India and Nepal, the other being the Mahabharata...
and Mahabharata
Mahabharata
The Mahabharata is one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India and Nepal, the other being the Ramayana. The epic is part of itihasa....
are considered classics and are used by American universities as a part of their syllabus on "Oriental Studies".
However, Rajaji is not a popular composer of Carnatic music and "Kurai Onrum Illai" is his sole Carnatic composition that has gained widespread recognition. The song depicts his intense devotion to God.
The date of the composition is not clearly known. It is wrongly believed that the song was sung at the UN in 1966 by MS United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
. In fact the song which was sung was an English Hymn "May the Lord forgive our sins" also composed by Rajaji.
The song was set to tune by Kadayanallur Venkatraman.
Text of the composition
குறை ஒன்றும் இல்லை மறைமூர்த்தி கண்ணாகுறை ஒன்றும் இல்லை கண்ணா
குறை ஒன்றும் இல்லை கோவிந்தா
குறை ஒன்றும் இல்லை மறைமூர்த்தி கண்ணா
குறை ஒன்றும் இல்லை கண்ணா
குறை ஒன்றும் இல்லை கோவிந்தா
கண்ணுக்குத் தெரியாமல் நிற்கின்றாய் கண்ணா
கண்ணுக்குத் தெரியாமல் நின்றாலும் எனக்கு
குறை ஒன்றும் இல்லை மறைமூர்த்தி கண்ணா
வேண்டியதைத் தந்திட வேங்கடேசன் என்றிருக்க
வேண்டியது வேறில்லை மறைமூர்த்தி கண்ணா
மணிவண்ணா மலையப்பா கோவிந்தா கோவிந்தா கோவிந்தா கோவிந்தா
திரையின்பின் நிற்கின்றாய் கண்ணா
கண்ணா திரையின்பின் நிற்கின்றாய் கண்ணா - உன்னை
மறையோதும் ஞானியர் மட்டுமே காண்பார்
திரையின்பின் நிற்கின்றாய் கண்ணா - உன்னை
மறையோதும் ஞானியர் மட்டுமே காண்பார்
என்றாலும் குறை ஒன்றும் எனக்கில்லை கண்ணா
என்றாலும் குறை ஒன்றும் எனக்கில்லை கண்ணா
குன்றின்மேல் கல்லாகி நிற்கின்ற வரதா
குன்றின்மேல் கல்லாகி நிற்கின்ற வரதா
குறை ஒன்றும் இல்லை மறைமூர்த்தி கண்ணா
குறை ஒன்றும் இல்லை மறைமூர்த்தி கண்ணா
மணிவண்ணா மலையப்பா கோவிந்தா கோவிந்தா கோவிந்தா கோவிந்தா
கலினாளுக்கிறங்கி கல்லிலே இறங்கி
நிலையாகக் கோவிலில் நிற்கின்றாய் கேசவா
கலினாளுக்கிறங்கி கல்லிலே இறங்கி
நிலையாகக் கோவிலில் நிற்கின்றாய் கேசவா
குறை ஒன்றும் இல்லை மறைமூர்த்தி கண்ணா
யாதும் மறுக்காத மலையப்பா
யாதும் மறுக்காத மலையப்பா உன் மார்பில்
ஏதும் தர நிற்கும் கருணைக் கடல் அன்னை
என்றும் இருந்திட ஏது குறை எனக்கு
என்றும் இருந்திட ஏது குறை எனக்கு
ஒன்றும் குறையில்லை மறை மூர்த்தி கண்ணா
ஒன்றும் குறையில்லை மறை மூர்த்தி கண்ணா
மணிவண்ணா மலையப்பா கோவிந்தா கோவிந்தா கோவிந்தா கோவிந்தா
கோவிந்தா கோவிந்தா கோவிந்தா கோவிந்தா
English transliteration
Kurai ōnrum illai, Maraimūrthi kanna!kurai ōnrum illai, Kanna!
kurai ōnrum illai, Gōvinda!
Kannukku theriyāmal nirkinrāy kanna;
kannukku theriyāmal ninrālum enakku
kurai ōnrum illai maraimūrttik kanna.
Vendiyadhai thandhida Venkatesan enrirukka,
Vendiyadhu ver illai maraimūrthi kanna-
Manivannā! Malaiyappā! Gōvinda! Gōvinda!
Tiraiyinpin nirkinrāy kanna - unnai
marai ōdum gnaniyar mattume kanpar,
enralum kurai onrum enakku illai kanna.
Kunrin mel kallākki nirkinra varadā
kurai onrum illai, Maraimūrthi kanna!
Manivannā! Malaiyappā! Gōvinda! Gōvinda! Govinda!Govinda!
Kalinānukkirangi, kallile irangi,
nilaiyāka kōvilil nirkinrāy kesavā
Yādum marukkāda malaiyappā – un mārbil
Edum tara nirkum karunai kadal annai
enrum irundhida ædu kurai enakku
ōnrum kurai illai maraimūrthi kanna
Manivannā! Malaiyappā! Gōvinda! Gōvinda!!!
English translation
Gopal Gandhi's translation of Kurai Onrum Illai from the article "Rajaji's unknown collaborator" which appeared in The HinduThe Hindu
The Hindu is an Indian English-language daily newspaper founded and continuously published in Chennai since 1878. According to the Audit Bureau of Circulations, it has a circulation of 1.46 million copies as of December 2009. The enterprise employed over 1,600 workers and gross income reached $40...
dated December 22, 2002.
No regrets have I
My lord,
None.
Lord of the Written Word,
My light, my sight,
My very eyes
No regrets,
None.
Though you stand
Where I behold you not
My light, my very eyes,
Protector of all earthlings
I know you sustain me
Lord of the Venkata Hill so pure
You meet my hunger, my thirst
My hope, my prayer
You keep me from harm,
Lord of the Sparkling Gems,
I need naught else
Father of the Seven Hills,
Naught else.
You stand — do you not? —
Veiled by a screen
Only the learned can part
For they are the learned
Which I am not
But no, no regrets have I.
Crowning this hill
You stand as rock
Giver of Boons
Immutable God
Father to these hills
No regrets have I
Govinda !
In this benighted Age of ours
Lord —
The worst of all the Four —
You have entered
The sanctum
A shaft of granite
Where though I see you not
No regrets have I.
Boulder of strength
With the Ocean,
Heaving on your breast,
Of the purest compassion —
My Mother,
My very own, who grants
Anything I ask of her
Can I possibly have regrets?
The two of you, I know,
Stand there for me
Eternally
No regrets have I my Govinda
None, none whatsoever
Govinda! Govinda!
Govinda! Govinda!
Explanation and Interpretation
This composition by Rajaji is one of its kind, in the sense that the author does not elicit any favour from God but only maintains that he has no regrets or dissatisfaction about anything in life. In this song, he regards both Lord Vishnu or Venkateswara of Tirupathi and his incarnation Lord Krishna to be one and the same and uses the names interchangeably.Rajaji's grandson Gopal Gandhi believes that there were multiple factors that led to the composition. He also suspects the presence of hidden meanings in the song. He believes that the song had been inspired by an incident which took place in the shrine of Tirupathi in 1925, when Rajaji had defended the right of an untouchable to enter the shrine of Tirupathi. Gopal Gandhi believes that Rajaji compares the untouchable's inability to have a glimpse of his favorite God to his own inability to have a glimpse of the invisible creator.