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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aadiya Paadham

From Thirumanam · 1958

Lyricists
Not listed
Singer
M. M. Dandapani Desikar
Music directors
S. M. Subbaiah Naidu, T. G. Lingappa
Details
Thirumanam1958

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Aadiya paadham mandraadiya paadhamThe foot that danced, the foot that danced in the sacred hall.
Aadiya paadham nindraadiya paadhamThe foot that danced, the foot that paused and danced.
Male
Aadiya paadham mandraadiya paadhamThe foot that danced, the foot that danced in the sacred hall.
Aadiya paadham nindraadiya paadhamThe foot that danced, the foot that paused and danced.
Male
{Aadiya paadham mandraadiya paadham{The foot that danced, the foot that danced in the sacred hall,
Aadiya paadham nindraadiya paadham} (2)The foot that danced, the foot that paused and danced.} (2)
Male
Paadiya vaedhangal thediya paadhamThe foot sought by the Vedas that sang its glory.
Paadiya vaedhangal thediya paadhamThe foot sought by the Vedas that sang its glory.
Paththisai pakthathkku thiththikkum paadhamThe foot that tastes sweet to devotees across all ten directions.
Paththisai pakthathkku thiththikkum paadhamThe foot that tastes sweet to devotees across all ten directions.
Thiththikkum paadham thiththikkum paadhamThe sweet foot, the sweet foot.
Male
Aadiya paadham mandraadiya paadhamThe foot that danced, the foot that danced in the sacred hall.
Male
Nallavarellam nayakkindra paadhamThe foot revered and desired by all righteous people.
Naadha mudivil nadikindra paadhamThe foot that dances at the culmination of supreme sound (Naadha).
Vallavar sollaellam valla porpaadhamThe golden foot that turns all words of sages into reality.
Vallavar sollaellam valla porpaadhamThe golden foot that turns all words of sages into reality.
Mandhira yanthira thanthira paadhamThe foot embodied in sacred mantras, yantras, and tantras.
Mandhira yanthira thanthira paadhamThe foot embodied in sacred mantras, yantras, and tantras.
Male
Aadiya paadham mandraadiya paadhamThe foot that danced, the foot that danced in the sacred hall.
Male
Thaangi enai petra thaayaaguum paadhamThe foot that became the mother who bore and nurtured me.
Thanthaiyumaagi thayavusei paadhamThe foot that became the compassionate father showing mercy.
Oongi ennullae uraigindra paadhamThe foot that rises and dwells prominently within my soul.
Oongi ennullae uraigindra paadhamThe foot that rises and dwells prominently within my soul.
Unmai vilanga uraiththa porpaadhamThe golden foot that revealed and explained the ultimate truth.
Male
Aadiya paadham mandraadiya paadhamThe foot that danced, the foot that danced in the sacred hall.
Aadiya paadham nindraadiya paadhamThe foot that danced, the foot that paused and danced.
Male
Aadiya paadham mandraadiya paadhamThe foot that danced, the foot that danced in the sacred hall.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This devotional hymn pays homage to the cosmic feet of Lord Shiva (Nataraja), who performs the divine dance of creation, preservation, and liberation in the sacred hall of Chidambaram. The poem describes the Lord's feet as the ultimate refuge sought by ancient scriptures (Vedas) and deeply cherished by devotees in every direction. They represent the embodiment of sacred mystical arts, sound, and cosmic order.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Epistrophe (Iyaipu)

Aadiya paadham mandraadiya paadham

Every line ends with the refrain word 'paadham' (foot), establishing a rhythmic and meditative focal point on the divine feet of Shiva.

Internal Rhyme & Assonance (Asubhi / Monai)

Mandhira yanthira thanthira paadham

Rhythmic rhyming of words like 'Mandhira yanthira thanthira' creates a incantatory sound effect matching the mystical theme.

Second-letter Rhyme (Etukai)

Paadiya vaedhangal thediya paadham

The second consonant 'di' rhymes across initial words like 'Paadiya', 'Aadiya', and 'Naadha'.

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Trivia

This composition draws heavily from the classical Saivite devotional literature and Siddhar poetry style, celebrating the cosmic dance of Lord Nataraja. The soundtrack for the film Thirumanam (1958) was composed by S. M. Subbaiah Naidu, featuring prominent classical devotional tunes.

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