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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aadhaarama Nirkum

From Chakkravarthy · 1977

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
V. Kumar
Movie name
Chakkravarthy
Movie release year
1977
Lyrics added on
11 May 2023

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Adharama nirkkum maariyamma
Needhanamma engal kaaval
Adharama nirkkum maariyamma
Needhanamma engal kaaval
Aattru vellam therndhaalumae
Aattru vellam therndhaalumae
Engal aasai vellam theeradhamma
Maathirai munnooru pottaalum kooda
Vepillai illamal theeradhu noigal
Maathirai munnooru pottaalum kooda
Vepillai illamal theeradhu noigal
Aayiram kaavalar vandhaalum kooda
Amma un munnadi pesaadhu vaaigal
Aayiram kaavalar vandhaalum kooda
Amma un munnadi pesaadhu vaaigal
Aadatha sendai katti naadalum
Thangakatti neeliyamma bathrakaaliamma
Chorus :Neeliyamma bathrakaaliamma
Nenju paadhi nanju paadhi manidhar jaadhi
Nee illavidil yedhamma needhi
Nee illavidil yedhamma needhi
Adharama nirkkum maariyamma
Needhanamma engal kaaval
Adharama nirkkum maariyamma
Needhanamma engal kaaval
Aattru vellam therndhaalumae
Engal aasai vellam theeradhamma
Koonderi ninaalum poi saatchi solvaar
Kondoodu ponaalum ooraarai keduppar
Amma un sanidhiyil vandhaalum podhum
Athamaiyum sathiyama thathuvamae pesum
Naadengum sattam undu yerala thittam undu
Neeliamma bathrakaaliamma
Chorus :Neeliamma bathrakaaliamma
Dharmam meeri sattam illai
Thaaiyai meeri thittam illai
Endha kottaikkum needhanae ellai
Endha kottaikkum needhanae ellai
O Mother Mariamman, our steadfast support,
You alone are our protector!
O Mother Mariamman, our steadfast support,
You alone are our protector!
Even if the river's flood subsides,
Even if the river's flood subsides,
The flood of our devotion will never run dry, Mother!
Even if someone takes three hundred pills,
Illness will not heal without your sacred neem leaves!
Even if someone takes three hundred pills,
Illness will not heal without your sacred neem leaves!
Even if a thousand guards arrive,
Mother, no mouth dares utter a word before you!
Even if a thousand guards arrive,
Mother, no mouth dares utter a word before you!
Ruling the realm to the thunderous beat of the chenda drums,
O precious treasure of gold, Mother Neeli, Mother Bhadrakali!
Chorus: O Mother Neeli, Mother Bhadrakali!
The human race is half heart and half poison;
Without you, Mother, where is justice?
Without you, Mother, where is justice?
O Mother Mariamman, our steadfast support,
You alone are our protector!
O Mother Mariamman, our steadfast support,
You alone are our protector!
Even if the river's flood subsides,
The flood of our devotion will never run dry, Mother!
People step into the witness box and give false testimony,
Driven by greed, they destroy the people of this town.
Yet, Mother, it is enough just to step before your shrine,
For everything speaks the pure truth and divine wisdom!
There are laws across the land and countless schemes,
O Mother Neeli, Mother Bhadrakali!
Chorus: O Mother Neeli, Mother Bhadrakali!
No law stands above righteousness,
No scheme can ever surpass the Mother!
You are the ultimate guardian of every fortress!
You are the ultimate guardian of every fortress!
Male
Female
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Female
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song is a devotional and philosophical hymn addressed to Goddess Maariyamma (also called Neeliyamma and Bhadrakali). The lyrics contrast human morality, modern medicine, and legal systems with divine grace and justice. Kannadasan highlights that while human laws, courts, and medicines have limitations and human nature is often corrupt ('half heart, half poison'), the divine power of the Mother Goddess stands above all worldly authority and remedies.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani / Urvagathal)

“Nenju paadhi nanju paadhi manidhar jaadhi”

Comparing human nature to poison ('Nenju paadhi nanju paadhi') and divine love/desire to an unending river flood ('Aasai vellam').

Emona / Rhyme (Aethugai)

“Maathirai munnooru pottaalum kooda / Vepillai illamal theeradhu noigal”

The second letter rhyme present in 'Maathirai' and 'Vepillai' or 'Aayiram' and 'Amma'.

Antithesis / Contrast

“Maathirai munnooru pottaalum kooda / Vepillai illamal theeradhu noigal”

Contrasting modern medical solutions ('Maathirai' / tablets) with traditional faith and divine cure ('Vepillai' / neem leaves).

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is composed by V. Kumar with lyrics by Kannadasan for the film 'Chakkravarthy' (1977). It features a popular blend of devotional fervor and socio-philosophical commentary typical of Kannadasan's devotional compositions.

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