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Kanavaney Kankanda Deivam album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Amba Pethaikku Irangi

From Kanavaney Kankanda Deivam · 1955

Lyricist
Papanasam Sivan
Singer
P. Leela
Music directors
A. Rama Rao, Hemant Kumar
Movie name
Kanavaney Kankanda Deivam
Movie release year
1955
Lyrics added on
2 Aug 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Ambaa paedhaikkiranguvadhu vambaa
Vaeru gadhi yaedhu jagadhambaa
Paedhaikkiranguvadhu vambaa
Vaeru gadhi yaedhu jagadhambaa
Kan pol enai valartha thandhai
Iru kan pera yengum en sindhai
Kan pol enai valartha thandhai
Iru kan pera yengum en sindhai
Kalakkam theerumo karunai varumo
Kalakkam theerumo karunai varumo
Jagadhambaa
Paedhaikkiranguvadhu vambaa
Vaeru ghadhi yaedhu jagadhambaa
Naaga logham sendravarai
Kan kulira kanbaeno
Naaga logham sendravarai
Kan kulira kanbaeno
Jeyamenum madhura mozhi kaetppeno
Jeyamenum madhura mozhi kaetppeno
Kanavaamo nin thiruvulam edhuvo dhevi
Nin thiruvulam edhuvo dhevi
Jagadhambaa
Paedhaikkiranguvadhu vambaa
Vaeru ghadhi yaedhu jagadhambaa
O Mother, is it wrong to show mercy to this helpless girl?
What other refuge do I have, O Jagadamba (Mother of the Universe)?
Is it wrong to show mercy to this helpless girl?
What other refuge do I have, O Jagadamba?
My father, who raised me like his own eyes,
My heart yearns for him to regain his sight.
My father, who raised me like his own eyes,
My heart yearns for him to regain his sight.
Will my distress ever end? Will your mercy arrive?
Will my distress ever end? Will your mercy arrive?
O Jagadamba!
Is it wrong to show mercy to this helpless girl?
What other refuge do I have, O Jagadamba?
The one who went to the subterranean serpent realm (Nagaloka),
Will my eyes have the joy of seeing him again?
The one who went to the subterranean serpent realm,
Will my eyes have the joy of seeing him again?
Will I hear that sweet word of victory?
Will I hear that sweet word of victory?
Will it only remain a dream? What is your divine will, O Goddess?
What is your divine will, O Goddess?
O Jagadamba!
Is it wrong to show mercy to this helpless girl?
What other refuge do I have, O Jagadamba?
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This poignant devotional song expresses a young woman's sincere prayer to the Divine Mother, Jagadhambaa. Distressed by her family's misfortune, she prays for her blind father—who lovingly raised her like his own eyes—to regain his sight. She also anxiously prays for the safety and success of her beloved, who has journeyed to Naaga Lokam (the realm of serpents), seeking a sweet message of his victory and safe return.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Kan pol enai valartha thandhai

Compares the father's loving care to protecting one's own eyes ('Kan pol enai valartha thandhai').

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)

Ambaa paedhaikkiranguvadhu vambaa

The second consonant 'mb' rhymes across lines ('Ambaa', 'vambaa', 'Jagadhambaa').

Moonaai (Initial Alliteration)

Kalakkam theerumo karunai varumo

Repetition of the initial 'Ka' sound in 'Kalakkam' and 'karunai'.

Refrain (Pallavi repetition)

Vaeru gadhi yaedhu jagadhambaa

The line calling out to Jagadhambaa repeats throughout the song to emphasize emotional helplessness and surrender.

Did you know?

Trivia

Kanavaney Kankanda Deivam (1955) was a major hit starring Gemini Ganesan and Anjali Devi. Written by legendary Carnatic composer Papanasam Sivan, the song features classical depth and emotional devotion typical of his legendary compositions.

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