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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aadhiyum Anthamum

From Srivalli · 1961

Lyricist
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Details
Srivalli1961

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Aadhiyandhamum illadha naayagaOh Lord who has neither beginning nor end,
Haaa..aaaa..aaa..aaa..aaa..aaa..aaa..aaa..aaaHaaa..aaaa..aaa..aaa..aaa..aaa..aaa..aaa..aaa
Aadhiyandhamum illadha naayagaOh Lord who has neither beginning nor end,
Arulvaai engal thaayagaShower your grace upon us like a loving mother,
Aadhiyandhamum illadha naayagaOh Lord who has neither beginning nor end,
Arulvaai engal thaayagaShower your grace upon us like a loving mother,
Male
Jothi thavazhum vedhaandha bhrammamaeOh Supreme Brahman of Vedantic wisdom, radiant with divine light,
Thooya gyaana oli deepamaeOh pure lamp of sacred spiritual knowledge,
Jothi thavazhum vedhaandha bhrammamaeOh Supreme Brahman of Vedantic wisdom, radiant with divine light,
Thooya gyaana oli deepamaeOh pure lamp of sacred spiritual knowledge,
Naadha roobamae …haa..aaa..haa..aaa…haaaaaa…Oh embodiment of cosmic sound... haa..aaa..haa..aaa...haaaaaa...
Naadha roobamae ..om namashivaayamenaOh embodiment of cosmic sound... chanting 'Om Namah Shivaya',
Navilum oongaarameOh sacred Omkara that resonates,
Ambigai magizhum devaOh Lord who brings joy to Goddess Ambigai,
Anbargal idhaya jeevaOh life-force residing in the hearts of devotees,
Ambigai magizhum devaOh Lord who brings joy to Goddess Ambigai,
Anbargal idhaya jeevaOh life-force residing in the hearts of devotees,
Aadhaaram un paadharamaeYour divine feet are our sole foundation and refuge,
Amaidhi nilavum aanandha vaazhvu peraTo attain a blissful life where supreme peace prevails,
Male
Aadhiyandhamum illadha naayagaOh Lord who has neither beginning nor end,
Arulvaai engal thaayagaShower your grace upon us like a loving mother.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This devotional song from the 1961 movie 'Srivalli' is a sublime invocation addressed to Lord Shiva. It praises Him as the infinite, eternal Almighty who transcends time—having neither a beginning ('Aadhi') nor an end ('Andham'). The lyrics glorify Shiva as the Supreme Vedantic Truth, the personification of divine light, and the cosmic primordial sound ('Omkara') who brings joy to His consort Ambigai and lives in the hearts of His devotees.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Aadhiyandhamum illadha naayaga / Arulvaai engal thaayaga

The words 'Naayaga' and 'Thaayaga' at the end of consecutive lines create a rhythmic end-rhyme scheme.

Uruvagamm (Metaphor)

Thooya gyaana oli deepamae

The deity is directly equated to a lamp of divine knowledge ('oli deepamae') and the embodiment of sound ('Naadha roobamae').

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Ambigai magizhum deva / Anbargal idhaya jeeva

Repetition of the initial sound 'A' across words such as 'Ambigai', 'Anbargal', and 'Aadhaaram' enhances the euphonic flow.

Did you know?

Trivia

The 1961 film 'Srivalli', starring Sivaji Ganesan and Padmini, was a major mythological success. Legendary music director G. Ramanathan composed the track, which relies on classical Carnatic raga traditions. Singer T. M. Soundararajan (TMS) delivered a powerful performance that remains a classic devotional standard in Tamil cinema history.

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