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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Adi Paninja

From Punniyavathi · 1997

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singer
Ilayaraja
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Punniyavathi1997

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Adi paninjaaIf you bow at Her feet,
Alli nalla padi alappaaShe will generously grant good fortune.
Adi manasilDeep within the heart,
Thulli vandhu kudi iruppaaShe will leap in and reside.
Male
Mani thamililIn gem-like Tamil,
Adi koduppaaShe will bestow poetic verses.
Mani magudamA jeweled crown,
Mudi koduppaShe will place upon your head.
Male
Mann dhoosiyumEven the dust of the soil,
PonnaagumaeWill turn into gold.
Mann kudisaiyumEven a humble mud hut,
Aran aagumaeWill become a mighty fortress.
Amaaa…..un arulaalaeO Mother... all by Your divine grace!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This devotional hymn praises the ultimate power and benevolence of the Divine Mother. It describes how surrendering to Her divine feet transforms a devotee's life completely, filling their heart with divine presence and granting them sacred wisdom in Tamil.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Polysemy / Wordplay

Adi paninjaa / Adi koduppaa

The word 'Adi' is used ingeniously with multiple meanings: 'feet' in 'Adi paninjaa' and 'poetic meter/line' in 'Adi koduppaa'.

Hyperbole & Metaphor

Mann dhoosiyum Ponnaagumae / Mann kudisaiyum Aran aagumae

Exaggerated metaphorical imagery demonstrating divine transformation, where mere dust turns to gold and a small mud hut becomes a grand fortress.

Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Mann dhoosiyum / Mann kudisaiyum

Tamil poetic rhyme scheme where the second letter matches across consecutive lines ('nn' in Mann and Mann).

Did you know?

Trivia

The lyricist Gangai Amaran uses classical Tamil poetic conventions (such as Tamil Monnai and Edhugai) within a film song structure to evoke a traditional devotional song atmosphere.

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