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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Adi Ranganathan Thangachi

From Samayapurathale Satchi · 1985

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
Malaysia Vasudevan
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Samayapurathale Satchi1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Adi ranganathan thangachiOh younger sister of Lord Ranganatha,
Ippo rendukattaan un katchiNow your stance seems ambiguous,
Nee vaai thiranthu vaarthai onnumWithout opening your mouth to speak a word,
Pesidatha oomachiYou stay silent like a mute deity,
Male
Adi ranganathan thangachiOh younger sister of Lord Ranganatha,
Ippo rendukattaan un katchiNow your stance seems ambiguous,
Nee vaai thiranthu vaarthai onnumWithout opening your mouth to speak a word,
Pesidatha oomachiYou stay silent like a mute deity,
Male
{Koondil yaeri manushanga pol{Stepping into the witness box like humans,
Saatchi solluvaYou stand witness,
Nalla kanavan manaivi pirinji nikkaLeaving a good husband and wife separated,
Aatchi pannuva} (2)You rule over destiny} (2)
Male
Nenachadha nee mudichidathaanTo achieve what you envisioned,
Soozhchi pannuvaYou play your tricks,
Nenachadha nee mudichidathaanTo achieve what you envisioned,
Soozhchi pannuvaYou play your tricks,
Un naadagathil vidha vidhama kaatchi pannuvaIn your grand play, you create varied scenes,
Un naadagathil vidha vidhama kaatchi pannuvaIn your grand play, you create varied scenes,
Male
Adi ranganathan thangachiOh younger sister of Lord Ranganatha,
Ippo rendukattaan un katchiNow your stance seems ambiguous,
Nee vaai thiranthu vaarthai onnumWithout opening your mouth to speak a word,
Pesidatha oomachiYou stay silent like a mute deity,
Male
{Vayasu ponnu karppizhandha{When a young woman loses her honor,
Paarthu nirkkuraYou merely stand and watch,
Adha paathukittu punnagathaanJust observing that, a subtle smile,
Poothu nikkura} (2)Blossoms upon your face} (2)
Male
Thaai pazhiya thaan sumandhaBearing the blame meant for a mother,
Kumarai ponnu neeyaeYou remain a maiden girl yourself,
Thaai pazhiya thaan sumandhaBearing the blame meant for a mother,
Kumarai ponnu neeyaeYou remain a maiden girl yourself,
Oru deivamaakki koyililae irukka vacha thaayaeOh mother who established herself as a deity in the temple,
Oru deivamaakki koyililae irukka vacha thaayaeOh mother who established herself as a deity in the temple,
Male
Adi ranganathan thangachiOh younger sister of Lord Ranganatha,
Ippo rendukattaan un katchiNow your stance seems ambiguous,
Nee vaai thiranthu vaarthai onnumWithout opening your mouth to speak a word,
Pesidatha oomachiYou stay silent like a mute deity,
Male
{Endha neram enna seiyuva{What you will do at what time,
Yarukku than theriyumWho can ever know?
Un antharangam ulagathulaYour inner divine mystery in this world,
Yaarukku thaan puriyum} (2)Who can ever understand?} (2)
Male
Aaga motham ethu senjaalumAll in all, whatever you orchestrate,
Nanmaiyilae mudiyumWill ultimately end in goodness,
Aaga motham ethu senjaalumAll in all, whatever you orchestrate,
Nanmaiyilae mudiyumWill ultimately end in goodness,
Amma nee illatti irunda vaanam eppadi thaan vidiyumOh Mother, without you, how would the dark sky ever break into dawn?
Nee illatti irunda vaanam eppadi thaan vidiyumWithout you, how would the dark sky ever break into dawn?
Male
Adi ranganathan thangachiOh younger sister of Lord Ranganatha,
Ippo rendukattaan un katchiNow your stance seems ambiguous,
Nee vaai thiranthu vaarthai onnumWithout opening your mouth to speak a word,
Pesidatha oomachiYou stay silent like a mute deity,
Pesidatha oomachiYou stay silent like a mute deity,
Pesidatha oomachi…eeeYou stay silent like a mute deity...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song is a poignant, devotional invocation addressed to Goddess Samayapuram Mariamman, who is traditionally regarded as the sister of Lord Ranganatha of Srirangam. The narrator laments the inscrutable nature of divine play (Thiruvilaiyadal), expressing angst over how the Goddess remains silent while witnessing human suffering, deceit, and relationship breakdowns. Despite questioning her silent detachment and complex motives, the protagonist ultimately reaffirms deep faith in her, acknowledging that every act of the divine mother serves a higher good and that life cannot find light without her grace.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhukai (Second letter rhyme)

Adi ranganathan thangachi / Ippo rendukattaan un katchi

Matching second consonants across lines, such as 'Ranganathan' and 'rendukattaan'.

Extended Metaphor (Naadagam)

Un naadagathil vidha vidhama kaatchi pannuva

Depicting human life and events as a staged play directed by the Goddess.

Rhetorical Question (Vina)

Amma nee illatti irunda vaanam eppadi thaan vidiyum

Asking how the dark sky can dawn without the Mother Goddess to emphasize total reliance on her grace.

Did you know?

Trivia

The lyrics written by Vaali reference the deep mythological connection between Samayapuram Mariamman and Srirangam Ranganathar, localized near Tiruchirappalli in Tamil Nadu.

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