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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aalayam Endraal Aalayam

From Devi Dharisanam · 1980

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
Seerkazhi Govindarajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Devi Dharisanam1980

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Aalayamendraal aalayamIf there is a true temple,
Adhuthaan periyapaalaiyamThat is indeed Periyapalayam.
Aalayamendraal aalayamIf there is a true temple,
Adhuthaan periyapaalaiyamThat is indeed Periyapalayam.
Male
Kaalam vazhangum thunbaththai ellaamAll the sorrows bestowed by time,
Kanavaai maattum aalayamIt is the temple that turns them into a dream.
Kaalam vazhangum thunbaththai ellaamAll the sorrows bestowed by time,
Kanavaai maattum aalayamIt is the temple that turns them into a dream.
Male
Aalayamendraal aalayamIf there is a true temple,
Adhuthaan periyapaalaiyamThat is indeed Periyapalayam.
Male
Saalai vazhiyae thaniyae sendraalIf you walk alone along the road,
Thaanum varuvaal bhavaaniyaeGoddess Bhavani herself will accompany you.
Thaayae saranam endru vizhunthaalaIf you fall at her feet saying, 'Mother, I take refuge in you',
Than kai koduppaal bhavaaniyaeGoddess Bhavani will lend her helping hand.
Thaayae saranam endru vizhunthaalaIf you fall at her feet saying, 'Mother, I take refuge in you',
Than kai koduppaal bhavaaniyae….Goddess Bhavani will lend her helping hand.
Male
Kaalaiyil manjal neeril moozhgiBathing in turmeric water in the morning,
Kaarigamaargal koodugindraarThe women gather together.
Kattiya veppan selaigaludaneDraped in sarees made of neem leaves,
Kaaliyin perumai paadugindraarThey sing the glory of Goddess Kaali.
Kattiya veppan selaigaludaneDraped in sarees made of neem leaves,
Kaaliyin perumai paadugindraar….They sing the glory of Goddess Kaali.
Male
Kaali thirisoozhiKaali, the holder of the trident,
Chorus :Kaali thirisoozhiChorus: Kaali, the holder of the trident,
Male :Neeli jeganmadhaMale: Neeli, the mother of the universe,
Chorus :Neeli jeganmadhaChorus: Neeli, the mother of the universe,
Male :Devi parasakthiMale: Goddess Parasakthi,
Chorus :Devi parasakthiChorus: Goddess Parasakthi,
Male :Om sakthi bavaniMale: Om Sakthi Bhavani,
Chorus :Bavani bavaniChorus: Bhavani, Bhavani!
Male
Aalayamendraal aalayamIf there is a true temple,
Adhuthaan periyapaalaiyamThat is indeed Periyapalayam.
Male
Thaliyai kaatti veliyai ninainthuExhibiting their vanity and thinking of worldly desires,
Thammai maranthae aadigindraarThey dance around forgetting themselves.
Dharmam enbathai kaanathavargalThose who do not realize what righteousness is,
Sannithi muzhuvathum thedungindraarSearch for it across the entire sanctum.
Male
Paalaiyaththammaa iruppathai maranthuForgetting that Mother Periyapalayathamman resides there,
Paavigal ellaam aadugindraarAll the sinners dance in arrogance.
Patta pagalil kangalai izhanthuLosing their sight in broad daylight,
Paadhaiyai maattri odugindraarThey change their path and run away.
Male
Thavaru nadanthaal paalaiyaththammaaIf any wrongdoing takes place, Mother Periyapalayathamman
Sakthiyai angae kaattugindraalDemonstrates her divine power right there.
Dharmam vellum enbathai solliDeclaring that righteousness shall prevail,
Thaayin perumaiyai naattugindraal…She establishes the supreme glory of the Mother.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Aalayamendraal Aalayam is an iconic devotional song dedicated to Goddess Bhavani worshipped at the famous Periyapalayam temple. Sung with powerful resonance by Seerkazhi Govindarajan, the song praises the divine mother who alleviates the suffering of her devotees and transforms worldly sorrows into temporary bad dreams. It vividly portrays popular regional temple rituals, including female devotees bathing in turmeric water and wrapping themselves in neem branches to sing hymns of praise. Beyond ritualistic devotion, lyricist Kannadasan integrates a deep moral perspective. He observes how people deluded by ego and sin wander aimlessly without recognizing true righteousness (Dharma). However, Mother Bhavani intervenes against injustice, revealing her divine force to ensure that righteousness ultimately triumphs over evil.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Kaalam vazhangum thunbaththai ellaam / Kanavaai maattum aalayam

Repetition of the initial consonant sound 'K' in 'Kaalam' and 'Kanavaai' creates rhythmic harmony.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Aalayamendraal aalayam / Adhuthaan periyapaalaiyam

Matching end rhymes 'aalayam' and 'periyapaalaiyam' establish a steady devotional cadence.

Metaphor

Kaalam vazhangum thunbaththai ellaam / Kanavaai maattum aalayam

Life's suffering and fate are metaphorically reduced to mere transient dreams through divine grace.

Imagery

Kaalaiyil manjal neeril moozhgi / Kattiya veppan selaigaludane

Vivid sensory visual imagery of women bathing in turmeric water and wearing neem leaf sarees.

Did you know?

Trivia

Periyapalayam Bhavani Amman Temple in Tamil Nadu is renowned for the ritual where devotees drape themselves in neem leaves (veppan selaigal) after taking a dip in turmeric water. Kannadasan captured these local folk customs faithfully in his lyrics. Sung by Seerkazhi Govindarajan with music composed by M. S. Viswanathan, this song remains an essential anthem played across Tamil Nadu during the auspicious month of Aadi.

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