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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aayi Mahamayi

From Aadi Velli · 1990

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
S. P. Sailaja
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Aadi Velli1990

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Aayi magamaayiMother, divine mother!
Ava thaaikkellaam thaayaana thaayiShe is the mother of all mothers!
Chorus :Aayi magamaayiChorus: Mother, divine mother!
Ava thaaikkellaam thaayaana thaayiShe is the mother of all mothers!
Female
Ammaannu sonnaalae pothumJust calling out 'Mother' is enough,
Anbennum vellamthaan modhumA flood of love will surge forth.
Chorus :Ammaannu sonnaalae pothumChorus: Just calling out 'Mother' is enough,
Anbennum vellamthaan modhumA flood of love will surge forth.
Female
Simmavaagini aaththaa sarppa roobiniMother riding the lion, form of the serpent,
Annapoorani aaththaa sarvakaariniMother Annapoorani, the cause of everything!
Female
Aayi magamaayiMother, divine mother!
Ava thaaikkellaam thaayaana thaayiShe is the mother of all mothers!
Female
Mangala kunguma pottukkaariThe one wearing auspicious vermilion on her forehead,
Maalini soolini viththakkaariMaalini, Soolini, the skillful magician-mother,
Minnidum veppala selakkaariThe one wearing a glittering neem-leaf saree,
Manakkura elumichcha maalakkaariThe one adorned with a fragrant lemon garland,
Female
Vempaattam paampaattam kaatchi koduppaaShe appears dancing like neem leaves and serpents,
Oorukkum ulakukkum kaaval iruppaaShe stands guard over the town and the whole world!
Chorus :Aayiram kanni antha thaayaiyae enniChorus: Thinking of that Mother of a thousand eyes,
Nee saththiyam thaanguvennu kayile vaanguAccept the vow in your hand, swearing to uphold the truth!
Female
Madhava sothari muththumaarithaanShe is Muthumaari, the sister of Lord Vishnu,
Thaandavam aadinaa pathrakaalithaanWhen she performs her cosmic dance, she becomes Bhadrakali!
Chorus
Aayi magamaayiMother, divine mother!
Ava thaaikkellaam thaayaana thaayiShe is the mother of all mothers!
Chorus
Ammaannu sonnaalae pothumJust calling out 'Mother' is enough,
Anbennum vellamthaan modhumA flood of love will surge forth.
Simmavaagini aaththaa sarppa roobiniMother riding the lion, form of the serpent,
Annapoorani aaththaa sarvakaariniMother Annapoorani, the cause of everything!
Chorus
Aayi magamaayiMother, divine mother!
Ava thaaikkellaam thaayaana thaayiShe is the mother of all mothers!
Chorus
Omsakthi om omsakthi omOm Sakthi Om, Om Sakthi Om
Omsakthi om omsakthi omOm Sakthi Om, Om Sakthi Om
Female
Annaiyai paaduthu naalu vedhamThe four Vedas sing praises of the Mother,
Aanaiyai ketkuthu panjaboothamThe five elements obey her divine command,
Aalaya poojaithaan aarukaalamTemple rituals happen six times a day,
Annaiyai pottruthu yaezhu logamThe seven worlds praise the Mother!
Female
Eppothu kettaalum pambai saththamWhenever heard, the sound of the Pambai drum resonates,
Aaththaakku santhosam aaga moththamAltogether, it brings immense joy to the Mother!
Chorus :Aadiyil koozha kaaichchi ooththura yaezhaiChorus: The poor who boil and serve porridge during the month of Aadi,
Vendinaa pothum avanga vedhana theerumIf they pray, their agony will come to an end!
Female
Sakthi om endru naam paattedukkalaamWe can sing songs chanting 'Sakthi Om',
Nambinaal naamumthaan thee midhikkalaamWith faith, we can even walk on burning embers!
Chorus
Aayi magamaayiMother, divine mother!
Ava thaaikkellaam thaayaana thaayiShe is the mother of all mothers!
Chorus
Ammaannu sonnaalae pothumJust calling out 'Mother' is enough,
Anbennum vellamthaan modhumA flood of love will surge forth.
Simmavaagini aaththaa sarppa roobiniMother riding the lion, form of the serpent,
Annapoorani aaththaa sarvakaariniMother Annapoorani, the cause of everything!
Chorus
{Aayi magamaayi{Mother, divine mother!
Ava thaaikkellaam thaayaana thaayiShe is the mother of all mothers!
Aayi magamaayiMother, divine mother!
Ava thaaikkellaam thaayaana thaayi} (2)She is the mother of all mothers!} (2)

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a vibrant devotional hymn dedicated to Goddess Mariamman (an incarnation of Goddess Parvati/Sakthi). Written by Vaali, the lyrics emphasize the Mother Goddess's supreme power, infinite love, and protective nature over all living beings in the world. Merely calling out her name invokes a flood of maternal affection and grace. The song highlights popular Tamil Hindu devotional customs performed during the auspicious month of Aadi, such as offering sacred porridge (Aadi Koozhu), wearing neem leaves, offering lemon garlands, playing traditional drums like Pambai, and walking over burning embers (thee midhithal) with unyielding faith.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Anbennum vellamthaan modhum

Love is directly portrayed as a rushing flood ('Anbennum vellam').

Initial Rhyme / Monai

Annaiyai paaduthu naalu vedham / Aanaiyai ketkuthu panjabootham

Assonance/Monai created by repeating initial vowel sound 'A' in consecutive lines.

End Rhyme / Iyaypu

Mangala kunguma pottukkaari / Maalini soolini viththakkaari

Matching end sounds ('pottukkaari', 'viththakkaari', 'selakkaari', 'maalakkaari') creates a rhythmic folk cadence.

Did you know?

Trivia

Aadi Velli (1990) is a superhit Tamil devotional film directed by Rama Narayanan. Songs from Rama Narayanan's devotional movies featuring lyrics by Vaali are iconic staples played across temples in Tamil Nadu during the Aadi festival season.

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