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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aalayam Endraal Aalayam

From Devi Dharisanam · 1980

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
Seerkazhi Govindarajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Devi Dharisanam
Movie release year
1980
Lyrics added on
15 Jun 2023

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Aalayamendraal aalayam
Adhuthaan periyapaalaiyam
Aalayamendraal aalayam
Adhuthaan periyapaalaiyam
Kaalam vazhangum thunbaththai ellaam
Kanavaai maattum aalayam
Kaalam vazhangum thunbaththai ellaam
Kanavaai maattum aalayam
Aalayamendraal aalayam
Adhuthaan periyapaalaiyam
Saalai vazhiyae thaniyae sendraal
Thaanum varuvaal bhavaaniyae
Thaayae saranam endru vizhunthaala
Than kai koduppaal bhavaaniyae
Thaayae saranam endru vizhunthaala
Than kai koduppaal bhavaaniyae….
Kaalaiyil manjal neeril moozhgi
Kaarigamaargal koodugindraar
Kattiya veppan selaigaludane
Kaaliyin perumai paadugindraar
Kattiya veppan selaigaludane
Kaaliyin perumai paadugindraar….
Kaali thirisoozhi
Chorus :Kaali thirisoozhi
Male :Neeli jeganmadha
Chorus :Neeli jeganmadha
Male :Devi parasakthi
Chorus :Devi parasakthi
Male :Om sakthi bavani
Chorus :Bavani bavani
Aalayamendraal aalayam
Adhuthaan periyapaalaiyam
Thaliyai kaatti veliyai ninainthu
Thammai maranthae aadigindraar
Dharmam enbathai kaanathavargal
Sannithi muzhuvathum thedungindraar
Paalaiyaththammaa iruppathai maranthu
Paavigal ellaam aadugindraar
Patta pagalil kangalai izhanthu
Paadhaiyai maattri odugindraar
Thavaru nadanthaal paalaiyaththammaa
Sakthiyai angae kaattugindraal
Dharmam vellum enbathai solli
Thaayin perumaiyai naattugindraal…
A true temple among all temples,
that is Periyapalayam!
A true temple among all temples,
that is Periyapalayam!
All the sorrows that time brings,
this temple turns into a passing dream.
All the sorrows that time brings,
this temple turns into a passing dream.
A true temple among all temples,
that is Periyapalayam!
If you walk alone along the road,
Bhavani Herself will walk with you.
If you fall at Her feet crying, "Mother, I surrender,"
Bhavani will hold out Her helping hand.
If you fall at Her feet crying, "Mother, I surrender,"
Bhavani will hold out Her helping hand...
Bathing in turmeric water in the morning,
the women gather together.
Dressed in sarees made of neem leaves,
they sing the praises of Kali.
Dressed in sarees made of neem leaves,
they sing the praises of Kali...
Kali, wielder of the trident!
Chorus: Kali, wielder of the trident!
Male: Neeli, Mother of the universe!
Chorus: Neeli, Mother of the universe!
Male: Devi, Supreme Goddess Parasakthi!
Chorus: Devi, Supreme Goddess Parasakthi!
Male: Om Shakti Bhavani!
Chorus: Bhavani, Bhavani!
A true temple among all temples,
that is Periyapalayam!
Holding up their thaali (sacred marriage thread) and trusting Her protection,
they dance, forgetting themselves in devotion.
Those who have never seen righteousness
search for it all across Her shrine.
Forgetting that the Mother of Palayam is watching,
sinners dance in arrogance.
Blinded in broad daylight,
they lose their way and run.
If any wrong takes place, the Mother of Palayam
shows Her supreme power right there.
Proving that righteousness will triumph,
She establishes the Mother's glory...
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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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