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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Adi Manjapattu

From Punniya Boomi · 1978

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, L. R. Eswari, P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Punniya Boomi1978

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Hooo oo oo oo ho oooHooo oo oo oo ho ooo
Chorus
Adi manjapattu veppillai kungkuma mittuWear a yellow silk dress, neem leaves, and apply vermilion
Maariyammanadhu per solli sandhanam ittuChant the name of Goddess Mariamman and apply sandalwood paste
Vaazhai thandattam kaiyaalaeWith hands smooth as banana stems
Konjam neiyai oottruPour a little clarified butter (ghee)
Rendu vandattam kondaadaTo celebrate like two joyful bees
Vanna deepam maettruLight the colorful lamps
Female
Kanni ponnu chinna pillai aasai padiAccording to the desires of young girls and children
Kattu kaaval ittu nirkkum vasar padiThe doorstep stands guarded with strong security
Kanni ponnu chinna pillai aasai padiAccording to the desires of young girls and children
Kattu kaaval ittu nirkkum vasar padiThe doorstep stands guarded with strong security
Female
Ammanindri yaarum illai koorungadiTell everyone that no one exists without Goddess Amman
Namm aaval therkkum koyil endru paadungadiSing that this is the temple that satisfies our deep desires
Male
Ammanindri yaarum illai koorungadiTell everyone that no one exists without Goddess Amman
Namm aaval therkkum koyil endru paadungadiSing that this is the temple that satisfies our deep desires
Chorus
Adi manjapattu veppillai kungkuma mittuWear a yellow silk dress, neem leaves, and apply vermilion
Maariyammanadhu per solli sandhanam ittuChant the name of Goddess Mariamman and apply sandalwood paste
Vaazhai thandattam kaiyaalaeWith hands smooth as banana stems
Konjam neiyai oottruPour a little clarified butter (ghee)
Rendu vandattam kondaadaTo celebrate like two joyful bees
Vanna deepam maettruLight the colorful lamps
Female
Maavilakku amma vilakkuThe flour lamp is Mother's lamp
Maari amman kaaladikku thiru vilakkuIt is the sacred light at Goddess Mariamman's feet
Chorus :Maavilakku amma vilakkuChorus: The flour lamp is Mother's lamp
Maari amman kaaladikku thiru vilakkuIt is the sacred light at Goddess Mariamman's feet
Female :Poo vilakku vanna pongal vilakkuFemale: The flower lamp and colorful festive Pongal lamp
Poojaikku aasai sollum thanga vilakkuThe golden lamp that expresses the desire for worship
Poo vilakku vanna pongal vilakkuThe flower lamp and colorful festive Pongal lamp
Poojaikku aasai sollum thanga vilakkuThe golden lamp that expresses the desire for worship
Female
Thiri eriyuthu oli theriyudhuThe wick burns and light shines bright
Paarvai onnuThere is a single divine gaze
Female
Dhisai muluvathum thaai mugathinilIn all directions on the Mother's face
Aayiram kannuA thousand eyes are watching
Female
Aval idathil puli nadungumIn her presence, even tigers tremble
Yenadi kannuWhy, my dear friend?
Female
Aanavathai theerthu vaippaalShe will eliminate all arrogance
Avalinai ennuConsider her unmatched power
Chorus
Maavilakku amma vilakkuThe flour lamp is Mother's lamp
Maari amman kaaladikku thiru vilakkuIt is the sacred light at Goddess Mariamman's feet
Chorus
Adi manjapattu veppillai kungkuma mittuWear a yellow silk dress, neem leaves, and apply vermilion
Maariyammanadhu per solli sandhanam ittuChant the name of Goddess Mariamman and apply sandalwood paste
Vaazhai thandattam kaiyaalaeWith hands smooth as banana stems
Konjam neiyai oottruPour a little clarified butter (ghee)
Rendu vandattam kondaadaTo celebrate like two joyful bees
Vanna deepam maettruLight the colorful lamps
Male
Neeraiyum mannaiyumBy joining water and soil together
Sambantham seidhadhil ilai paariResting after the labor
Nellittu uramittu kaathavarThose who sowed paddy, fertilized, and nurtured
Kandathu mulaippaariWitnessed the sprouted seedlings (Mulaippaari)
Male
Neeraiyum mannaiyumBy joining water and soil together
Sambantham seidhadhil ilai paariResting after the labor
Nellittu uramittu kaathavarThose who sowed paddy, fertilized, and nurtured
Kandathu mulaippaariWitnessed the sprouted seedlings (Mulaippaari)
Female
Kaarkaalam illaiyinnaIf there is no monsoon season
Yerkalam illaeThere is no threshing floor for farming
Yerkkalam illaiyinnaIf there is no threshing floor
Oorkolam illaeThere is no village procession celebration
Female
Kaarkaalam illaiyinnaIf there is no monsoon season
Yerkalam illaeThere is no threshing floor for farming
Yerkkalam illaiyinnaIf there is no threshing floor
Oorkolam illaeThere is no village procession celebration
Male
Thottil thannil thaalattuA lullaby in the cradle
Thodarndhu sendraal seerattuFollowed by continuous affection and blessings
Kattilukku pogu munnaeBefore going to the bridal bed
Kanni pennae neerattuBathe the young maiden
Male
Kattazhagai paarthu vittuAdmiration for her exquisite beauty
Kavidhaiyilae parattuPraise expressed in poetry
Neerattu manjal neerattuBathe her, bathe her in turmeric water
Chorus :Neerattu manjal neerattuChorus: Bathe her, bathe her in turmeric water
Female
Kai valaiyalgal osaiyittaalWhen hand bangles make a clinking sound
Kaalaigalin kann mayangumThe eyes of young men get entranced
Kalaiyarai kannil veithaalWhen dark collyrium is applied to the eyes
Eppodhum penn urangumThe woman sleeps peacefully always
Female
Kobam irukkumidamWhere there is anger
Gunam irukkum enbathunduThere is also good character
Konjamai ninaivu vaithaalIf kept in mind just a little
Thunai pirandha chinna vanduA companion is born like a little bee
Neerattu manjal neerattuBathe her, bathe her in turmeric water
Chorus :Neerattu manjal neerattuChorus: Bathe her, bathe her in turmeric water
Neerattu manjal neerattuBathe her, bathe her in turmeric water

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This vibrant folk-style devotional and celebratory song from the 1978 film 'Punniya Boomi' honors Goddess Mariamman while interweaving themes of rural Tamil culture, agriculture, and traditional rites of passage. The song details ritualistic worship practices such as lighting Maavilakku (flour lamps), offering turmeric, vermilion, and neem, and growing Mulaippaari (sprouted seeds). It emphasizes the Goddess's omnipresence and protective power that destroys arrogance.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Upama (Simile)

Vaazhai thandattam kaiyaalae

Comparing the maiden's hands to smooth banana stems ('Vaazhai thandattam kaiyaalae').

Metaphor / Hyperbole

Aayiram kannu

Describing the Goddess as having a thousand eyes watching over all directions ('Aayiram kannu').

Rhyme / Monorhyme (Adukku Thodai & Etukai)

Kaarkaalam illaiyinna Yerkalam illae

Rhythmic repitition of word endings and rhyming line couplets like 'Kaarkaalam illaiyinna' and 'Yerkalam illae'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by M. S. Vishwanathan with lyrics by Kannadasan, this song blends traditional Tamil Amman worship rituals (like Maavilakku and Mulaippaari) with festive folk dance rhythms, showcasing the rich rural heritage of Tamil Nadu.

Keep listening

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