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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aazhi Mazhai Kanna

From Ponniyin Selvan – Part 2 · 2023

Lyricist
Andal Pasuram
Singer
Harini
Music director
A. R. Rahman
Details
Ponniyin Selvan – Part 22023

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Aazhi mazhai kannaaO Rain God, who is as generous as the vast ocean!
Ondru nee kai karavelDo not withhold anything or hold back your grace.
Aazhiyul pukkuDiving deep into the midst of the vast ocean,
Muganthu kodaartheriGulping up its waters, rise up high into the roaring sky.
Female
Oozhi mudhalvan uruvampolAssuming a dark hue like the form of the Primeval Lord of the cosmic end,
Mei karuthuDarkening your body entirely,
Paazhiyam tholudaiMatching the broad, strong shoulders
Parbanaban kaiyilIn the hands of Lord Padmanabha,
Female
Aazhipol minniFlash brightly like the divine discus in His hand,
Aazhipol minniFlash brightly like the divine discus,
Valampuripol nindradhirndhuResound thunderously like the sacred right-whorled conch shell,
Thaazhaathae saarngamWithout delay, just like the mighty bow Sharnga
Udhaitha sara mazhaipolShowering a torrential volley of arrows,
Female
Vaazha ulaginilSo that the entire world may thrive and live in prosperity,
Peidhidaai naangalumPour down as abundant rain, so that we too
Maargazhi neeraadaMay partake in the sacred bath of Margazhi,
Magizhnthelor embaavaaiAnd rejoice with devotion, oh my companions!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This composition is adapted from the 4th verse of Thiruppavai, sacredly penned by the 8th-century Tamil saint Andal. In this hymn, Andal personifies the rain cloud and commands it to shower grace upon the earth without holding back. She paints vivid allegories connecting nature's forces with the attributes of Lord Vishnu: the dark cloud resembles His cosmic body, the lightning mimics His divine discus (Chakra), the thunder echoes His sacred conch (Valampuri Sanghu), and the falling rain streams like arrows from His bow (Sharnga).

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Oozhi mudhalvan uruvampol

'Oozhi mudhalvan uruvampol' compares the dark, moisture-laden rain clouds to the dark skin and form of the Supreme Being Vishnu.

Imagery & Metaphor

Aazhipol minni

'Aazhipol minni' compares the brilliant flash of lightning in the sky to the gleaming Sudarshana Chakra (discus) held by Lord Vishnu.

Auditory Imagery / Alliteration

Valampuripol nindradhirndhu

'Valampuripol nindradhirndhu' uses sound symbolism to evoke thunder, comparing its resonance to the reverberation of Vishnu's sacred conch.

Did you know?

Trivia

This song uses the sacred 4th Pasuram of Thiruppavai written by Andal. A. R. Rahman set this classical verse to a serene, haunting melody for Mani Ratnam's film 'Ponniyin Selvan: Part 2' (2023), brought to life by vocalist Harini.

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