Agaramuthala
From Saraswathi Sabatham · 1966
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Details
- Saraswathi Sabatham1966
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Agaramudhala ezhuthellaam | All letters beginning with 'A' |
| Ariyavaiththaai devi | You made me learn, Goddess |
| Aadhi bhagavan mudhalendrae | That the primordial God is the primary origin |
| Unaravaiththaai devi | You made me realize, Goddess |
| Male | |
| Iyal isai nadaga deepam | The lamp of literature, music, and drama |
| Yetri vaiththai neeyae | You lit it yourself |
| Eendravar nenjai indru | The hearts of my parents today |
| Kulira vaiththaai thaayae | You made them gladden with peace, O Mother |
| Male | |
| Agaramudhala ezhuthellaam | All letters beginning with 'A' |
| Ariyavaiththaai devi | You made me learn, Goddess |
| Agaramudhala ezhuthellaam | All letters beginning with 'A' |
| Ariyavaiththaai devi | You made me learn, Goddess |
| Male | |
| Aadhi bhagavan mudhalendrae | That the primordial God is the primary origin |
| Unaravaiththaai devi | You made me realize, Goddess |
| Aadhi bhagavan mudhalendrae | That the primordial God is the primary origin |
| Unaravaiththaai devi | You made me realize, Goddess |
| Male | |
| Agaramudhala ezhuthellaam | All letters beginning with 'A' |
| Ariyavaiththaai devi | You made me learn, Goddess |
| Male | |
| Iyal isai nadaga deepam | The lamp of literature, music, and drama |
| Yetri vaiththai | You have lit |
| Iyal isai nadaga deepam | The lamp of literature, music, and drama |
| Yetri vaiththai | You have lit |
| Male | |
| Eendravar nenjai indru | The hearts of my parents today |
| Kulira vaiththaai | You made gladden |
| Eendravar nenjai indru | The hearts of my parents today |
| Kulira vaiththaai | You made gladden |
| Male | |
| Uyir mei ezhuthellaam | All vowels, consonants, and compound letters |
| Theriya vaiththaai | You made known |
| Uyir mei ezhuthellaam | All vowels, consonants, and compound letters |
| Theriya vaiththaai | You made known |
| Male | |
| Oomaiyin vaai thiranthu | Opening the mouth of the mute |
| Pesavaiththaai | You made speak |
| Ammaa pesavaiththaai | Mother, you made speak |
| Male | |
| Agaramudhala ezhuthellaam | All letters beginning with 'A' |
| Ariyavaiththaai devi | You made me learn, Goddess |
| Male | |
| Ennum ezhuthu ennum | Numbers and letters, known as |
| Kan thiranthaai | Two eyes, you opened |
| Ennum ezhuthu ennum | Numbers and letters, known as |
| Kan thiranthaai | Two eyes, you opened |
| Male | |
| Yettram tharum pulamai | Scholar's wisdom that brings progress |
| Aatral thandhaai | You gave power |
| Yettram tharum pulamai | Scholar's wisdom that brings progress |
| Aatral thandhaai | You gave power |
| Male | |
| Aiyaam theliya veithu | Clearing away doubts |
| Arivu thandhaai | You bestowed wisdom |
| Aiyaam theliya veithu | Clearing away doubts |
| Arivu thandhaai | You bestowed wisdom |
| Male | |
| Oli thandhu mozhi thandhu | Giving light and giving language |
| Kural thandhaai | You gave voice |
| Oli thandhu mozhi thandhu | Giving light and giving language |
| Kural thandhaai | You gave voice |
| Male | |
| Omkaara isai thandhu | Giving the divine music of Omkara |
| Uyara veiththaai devi | You raised me up, Goddess |
| Male | |
| Pottraveithu pugal saatraveithu | Making others praise and celebrate me |
| Arivootrinodu uyar aatral thandhu ennai | Giving me the supreme power along with the fountain of wisdom |
| Aringnan kavingnan kalaingnan ivan ena | Recognized as a scholar, a poet, and an artist |
| Arulum thamizhum thigalum kadal ena | Like an ocean where grace and Tamil shine together |
| Male | |
| Kattravarum kottravarum | The educated and the ruling kings |
| Muttrumae arindhavarum | And those who are all-knowing |
| Nitham nitham pugalnthida | Praise me daily |
| Ninarulai thandu arul vaai | Bestow your divine grace upon me |
| Male | |
| Uttraar suttram | Relatives and kin |
| Uravinar maandharai | Human bonds and friends |
| Yaaani saenai | Elephant forces and armies |
| Padaiyudai veendharu | Kings possessing grand armies |
| Male | |
| Pattrum pattrai | The attachments they hold |
| Neekiya gnyani | The wise sages who relinquished all attachments |
| Palarum pughalnthinda | So that many praise me |
| Aakiya vaani | You created me, O Saraswathi (Vaani) |
| Male | |
| Thaai ilaadha pillai endru | As a motherless child |
| Vaai illadha oomai endru | As a speechless mute person |
| Aayirangal aana kalvi | Thousands of branches of knowledge |
| Vaai thiranthu thandha selvi | O Goddess who opened your mouth and bestowed upon me |
| Annai unnai saranam adaithen deviiii….. | Mother, I surrender unto you, O Goddess! |
அகரமுதல
எழுத்தெல்லாம்
அறியவைத்தாய்
தேவி ஆதி பகவன்
முதலென்றே உணர
வைத்தாய் தேவி
All letters beginning with 'A'
You made me learn, Goddess
That the primordial God is the primary origin
You made me realize, Goddess
இயல் இசை
நாடக தீபம் ஏற்றி
வைத்தாய் நீயே
ஈன்றவர் நெஞ்சை
இன்று குளிர வைத்தாய்
தாயே
The lamp of literature, music, and drama
You lit it yourself
The hearts of my parents today
You made them gladden with peace, O Mother
அகரமுதல
எழுத்தெல்லாம்
அறியவைத்தாய்
தேவி அகரமுதல
எழுத்தெல்லாம்
அறியவைத்தாய்
தேவி
All letters beginning with 'A'
You made me learn, Goddess
All letters beginning with 'A'
You made me learn, Goddess
ஆதி பகவன்
முதலென்றே உணர
வைத்தாய் தேவி ஆதி
பகவன் முதலென்றே
உணர வைத்தாய் தேவி
That the primordial God is the primary origin
You made me realize, Goddess
That the primordial God is the primary origin
You made me realize, Goddess
அகரமுதல
எழுத்தெல்லாம்
அறியவைத்தாய்
தேவி
All letters beginning with 'A'
You made me learn, Goddess
இயல் இசை
நாடக தீபம் ஏற்றி
வைத்தாய் இயல் இசை
நாடக தீபம் ஏற்றி
வைத்தாய்
The lamp of literature, music, and drama
You have lit
The lamp of literature, music, and drama
You have lit
ஈன்றவர் நெஞ்சை
இன்று குளிர வைத்தாய்
ஈன்றவர் நெஞ்சை
இன்று குளிர வைத்தாய்
The hearts of my parents today
You made gladden
The hearts of my parents today
You made gladden
உயிர் மெய்
எழுத்தெல்லாம் தெரிய
வைத்தாய் உயிர் மெய்
எழுத்தெல்லாம் தெரிய
வைத்தாய்
All vowels, consonants, and compound letters
You made known
All vowels, consonants, and compound letters
You made known
ஊமையின்
வாய் திறந்து பேச
வைத்தாய் அம்மா
பேசவைத்தாய்
Opening the mouth of the mute
You made speak
Mother, you made speak
அகரமுதல
எழுத்தெல்லாம்
அறியவைத்தாய்
தேவி
All letters beginning with 'A'
You made me learn, Goddess
எண்ணும் எழுத்து
எண்ணும் கண் திறந்தாய்
எண்ணும் எழுத்து எண்ணும்
கண் திறந்தாய்
Numbers and letters, known as
Two eyes, you opened
Numbers and letters, known as
Two eyes, you opened
ஏற்றம் தரும்
புலமை ஆற்றல் தந்தாய்
ஏற்றம் தரும் புலமை
ஆற்றல் தந்தாய்
Scholar's wisdom that brings progress
You gave power
Scholar's wisdom that brings progress
You gave power
ஐயம் தெளிய
வைத்து அறிவு தந்தாய்
ஐயம் தெளிய வைத்து
அறிவு தந்தாய்
Clearing away doubts
You bestowed wisdom
Clearing away doubts
You bestowed wisdom
ஒளி தந்து
மொழி தந்து குரல்
தந்தாய் ஒளி தந்து
மொழி தந்து குரல்
தந்தாய்
Giving light and giving language
You gave voice
Giving light and giving language
You gave voice
ஓம்கார இசை
தந்து உயர வைத்தாய்
தேவி
Giving the divine music of Omkara
You raised me up, Goddess
போற்றவைத்து
புகழ் சாற்றவைத்து
அறிவூற்றினோடு உயர்
ஆற்றல் தந்து என்னை
அறிஞன் கவிஞன் கலைஞன்
இவன் என அருளும் தமிழும்
திகழும் கடல் என
Making others praise and celebrate me
Giving me the supreme power along with the fountain of wisdom
Recognized as a scholar, a poet, and an artist
Like an ocean where grace and Tamil shine together
கற்றவரும்
கொற்றவரும் முற்றுமே
அறிந்தவரும் நித்தம் நித்தம்
புகழ்ந்திட நின்னருளை தந்து
அருள் வாய்
The educated and the ruling kings
And those who are all-knowing
Praise me daily
Bestow your divine grace upon me
உற்றார் சுற்றம்
உறவினர் மாந்தரை
யானை சேனை படையுடை
வேந்தரு
Relatives and kin
Human bonds and friends
Elephant forces and armies
Kings possessing grand armies
பற்றும் பற்றை
நீக்கிய ஞானி பலரும்
புகழ்ந்திட ஆக்கிய
வாணி
The attachments they hold
The wise sages who relinquished all attachments
So that many praise me
You created me, O Saraswathi (Vaani)
தாய் இல்லாத
பிள்ளை என்று வாய்
இல்லாத ஊமை என்று
ஆயிரங்கள் ஆன கல்வி
வாய் திறந்து தந்த செல்வி
அன்னை உன்னை சரணம்
அடைந்தேன் தேவி
As a motherless child
As a speechless mute person
Thousands of branches of knowledge
O Goddess who opened your mouth and bestowed upon me
Mother, I surrender unto you, O Goddess!
Agaramudhala ezhuthellaam
All letters beginning with 'A'
Ariyavaiththaai devi
You made me learn, Goddess
Aadhi bhagavan mudhalendrae
That the primordial God is the primary origin
Unaravaiththaai devi
You made me realize, Goddess
Iyal isai nadaga deepam
The lamp of literature, music, and drama
Yetri vaiththai neeyae
You lit it yourself
Eendravar nenjai indru
The hearts of my parents today
Kulira vaiththaai thaayae
You made them gladden with peace, O Mother
Agaramudhala ezhuthellaam
All letters beginning with 'A'
Ariyavaiththaai devi
You made me learn, Goddess
Agaramudhala ezhuthellaam
All letters beginning with 'A'
Ariyavaiththaai devi
You made me learn, Goddess
Aadhi bhagavan mudhalendrae
That the primordial God is the primary origin
Unaravaiththaai devi
You made me realize, Goddess
Aadhi bhagavan mudhalendrae
That the primordial God is the primary origin
Unaravaiththaai devi
You made me realize, Goddess
Agaramudhala ezhuthellaam
All letters beginning with 'A'
Ariyavaiththaai devi
You made me learn, Goddess
Iyal isai nadaga deepam
The lamp of literature, music, and drama
Yetri vaiththai
You have lit
Iyal isai nadaga deepam
The lamp of literature, music, and drama
Yetri vaiththai
You have lit
Eendravar nenjai indru
The hearts of my parents today
Kulira vaiththaai
You made gladden
Eendravar nenjai indru
The hearts of my parents today
Kulira vaiththaai
You made gladden
Uyir mei ezhuthellaam
All vowels, consonants, and compound letters
Theriya vaiththaai
You made known
Uyir mei ezhuthellaam
All vowels, consonants, and compound letters
Theriya vaiththaai
You made known
Oomaiyin vaai thiranthu
Opening the mouth of the mute
Pesavaiththaai
You made speak
Ammaa pesavaiththaai
Mother, you made speak
Agaramudhala ezhuthellaam
All letters beginning with 'A'
Ariyavaiththaai devi
You made me learn, Goddess
Ennum ezhuthu ennum
Numbers and letters, known as
Kan thiranthaai
Two eyes, you opened
Ennum ezhuthu ennum
Numbers and letters, known as
Kan thiranthaai
Two eyes, you opened
Yettram tharum pulamai
Scholar's wisdom that brings progress
Aatral thandhaai
You gave power
Yettram tharum pulamai
Scholar's wisdom that brings progress
Aatral thandhaai
You gave power
Aiyaam theliya veithu
Clearing away doubts
Arivu thandhaai
You bestowed wisdom
Aiyaam theliya veithu
Clearing away doubts
Arivu thandhaai
You bestowed wisdom
Oli thandhu mozhi thandhu
Giving light and giving language
Kural thandhaai
You gave voice
Oli thandhu mozhi thandhu
Giving light and giving language
Kural thandhaai
You gave voice
Omkaara isai thandhu
Giving the divine music of Omkara
Uyara veiththaai devi
You raised me up, Goddess
Pottraveithu pugal saatraveithu
Making others praise and celebrate me
Arivootrinodu uyar aatral thandhu ennai
Giving me the supreme power along with the fountain of wisdom
Aringnan kavingnan kalaingnan ivan ena
Recognized as a scholar, a poet, and an artist
Arulum thamizhum thigalum kadal ena
Like an ocean where grace and Tamil shine together
Kattravarum kottravarum
The educated and the ruling kings
Muttrumae arindhavarum
And those who are all-knowing
Nitham nitham pugalnthida
Praise me daily
Ninarulai thandu arul vaai
Bestow your divine grace upon me
Uttraar suttram
Relatives and kin
Uravinar maandharai
Human bonds and friends
Yaaani saenai
Elephant forces and armies
Padaiyudai veendharu
Kings possessing grand armies
Pattrum pattrai
The attachments they hold
Neekiya gnyani
The wise sages who relinquished all attachments
Palarum pughalnthinda
So that many praise me
Aakiya vaani
You created me, O Saraswathi (Vaani)
Thaai ilaadha pillai endru
As a motherless child
Vaai illadha oomai endru
As a speechless mute person
Aayirangal aana kalvi
Thousands of branches of knowledge
Vaai thiranthu thandha selvi
O Goddess who opened your mouth and bestowed upon me
Annai unnai saranam adaithen deviiii…..
Mother, I surrender unto you, O Goddess!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This classic devotional hymn from 'Saraswathi Sabatham' is a prayer offered to Goddess Saraswathi, the deity of wisdom, arts, and learning. The protagonist, who was born mute and ignorant, expresses heartfelt gratitude to the Goddess for miraculously granting him speech, knowledge, and poetic fluency. The song builds upon classical Tamil literary references, acknowledging how knowledge opens human perception like eyes and brings joy to parents and society. As the song progresses, the speaker describes how divine grace transformed a speechless orphan into a celebrated scholar, poet, and artist praised by kings, scholars, and sages alike. The lyrics culminate in total surrender (Saranagathi) to the Mother, celebrating Her power to grant spiritual enlightenment, remove worldly attachments, and elevate human consciousness through language and divine sound.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Literary Allusion (Thirukkural Reference)
“Agaramudhala ezhuthellaam”
The opening lines directly evoke Thirukkural 1: 'Agaramudhala ezhuthellaam aadhi bhagavan mudhattre ulagu', linking the alphabet 'A' to the divine origin.
Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Agaramudhala ezhuthellaam”
Rhyming of second letters across consecutive lines ('ga' in Agaramudhala / Bhagavan / Iyal-isai).
Metaphor (Uruvam)
“Ennum ezhuthu ennum Kan thiranthaai”
Comparing numbers and letters ('Ennum ezhuthum') to the two eyes of human understanding.
Monae (Initial Alliteration)
“Oli thandhu mozhi thandhu”
Alliteration on 'O' sound across words ('Oli thandhu mozhi thandhu / Omkaara isai').
Did you know?
Trivia
This song is a pivotal musical sequence in the 1966 Tamil mythological film 'Saraswathi Sabatham', directed by A. P. Nagarajan. Composed by K. V. Mahadevan and sung magnificently by T. M. Soundararajan, the song picturizes the transformation of the character Vidyapati (played by Sivaji Ganesan) from a mute devotee into a master poet by the grace of Goddess Saraswathi.
Keep listening
More from Saraswathi Sabatham
Saraswathi Sabatham
Saraswathi Sabatham
Saraswathi Sabatham
Saraswathi Sabatham
Saraswathi Sabatham
Saraswathi Sabatham