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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ambigai Naadagam

From Sakthi Leelai · 1972

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
T. K. Ramamoorthy
Movie name
Sakthi Leelai
Movie release year
1972
Lyrics added on
26 Jan 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Ambigai nadagam
Ambigai nadagam
Agilam muluthum iyakkum
Aval mandhira punnagai kanden
Ambigai nadagam
Agilam muluthum iyakkum
Aval mandhira punnagai kanden
Ambigai nadagam
Ponnidam poonkoondhal sathiradavum
Minnalil uruvaana idaiyaadavum
Ponnidam poonkoondhal sathiradavum
Minnalil uruvaana idaiyaadavum
Vennira poopola nudhalaadavum
Vennira poopola nudhalaadavum
Vizhigalil …nadamidum
Vizhigalil nadamidum
Kanaigal pazhagum azhagum inaiyum
Ambigai nadagam
Agilam muluthum iyakkum
Aval mandhira punnagai kanden
Ambigai nadagam
Santhana kumbam rendu sendadavum
Thangiya kangal ennum vandaadavum
Santhana kumbam rendu sendadavum
Thangiya kangal ennum vandaadavum
Sundhara mugam kandu mana maadavum
Sundhara mugam kandu mana maadavum
Iravilum pagalilum avalaiyae
Ninaivadhu sugamena varugiraar
Arivilum uravilum avalaiye
Adaivathu pugazhena ninaikiraar
Mangaiyar poongodi sengani thaen mozhi
Ammanai kandathum vandhadhu vaazhvadi
Arasanum kudigalum dharisanam
Avalukkum enakkum porutham
Ambigai nadagam
Agilam muluthum iyakkum
Aval mandhira punnagai kanden
Ambigai nadagam
The divine play of Goddess Ambikai,
The divine play of Goddess Ambikai,
That moves the entire universe—
I saw her magical smile!
The divine play of Goddess Ambikai,
That moves the entire universe—
I saw her magical smile!
The divine play of Goddess Ambikai.
As her flower-decked golden hair dances,
As her waist, slender like lightning, sways,
As her flower-decked golden hair dances,
As her waist, slender like lightning, sways,
As her forehead sways like a white flower,
As her forehead sways like a white flower,
Dancing in her eyes...
Dancing in her eyes,
The arrows of her glance match her enchanting beauty!
The divine play of Goddess Ambikai,
That moves the entire universe—
I saw her magical smile!
The divine play of Goddess Ambikai.
As her two sandalwood pitchers sway in grace,
As the bee-like gazes in her eyes flutter,
As her two sandalwood pitchers sway in grace,
As the bee-like gazes in her eyes flutter,
As the heart dances upon seeing her lovely face,
As the heart dances upon seeing her lovely face,
Day and night, thinking only of her,
People come, believing that to be pure joy!
Through wisdom and close bonds,
They believe that winning her brings great honour!
A flowering vine among women, with sweet red lips and honeyed words,
Seeing this goddess has blessed my life, my friend!
The king and his people seek her sacred sight,
And she and I are truly made for each other!
The divine play of Goddess Ambikai,
That moves the entire universe—
I saw her magical smile!
The divine play of Goddess Ambikai.
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

The song 'Ambigai Nadagam' from Sakthi Leelai (1972) is a devotional extolment celebrating the divine play and captivating beauty of Goddess Sakthi (Ambigai). Kannadasan's lyrics depict the entire cosmos as a divine theater governed by Ambigai's charming smile and graceful movements. Her physical grace—from her flower-laden hair and lightning-thin waist to her arrow-like eyes—is described using vivid classical poetic imagery. The song further illustrates the universal devotion she commands, noting that both royalty and common citizens seek her divine presence day and night. Achieving union with her through wisdom and devotion is portrayed as the ultimate purpose of human life, culminating in a sense of harmony between the devotee and the Goddess.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamaani (Simile)

“Minnalil uruvaana idaiyaadavum”

Comparing the waist's slender swiftness to lightning ('Minnalil uruvaana idai') and the eyes to honeybees ('vandaadavum').

Rupaka (Metaphor)

“Ambigai nadagam”

Describing the physical world and divine acts as a theatrical play ('Ambigai nadagam').

Iyaibu (Rhyme / End Rhyme)

“Ponnidam poonkoondhal sathiradavum”

Use of matching verbal suffixes '-aadavum' creating rhythmic flow across lines.

Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)

“Kanaigal pazhagum azhagum inaiyum”

Comparing eyes to sharp arrows ('Kanaigal') that strike with beauty.

Did you know?

Trivia

Sakthi Leelai (1972) was a popular devotional mythological film featuring music composed by T. K. Ramamoorthy after his separation from the famed M. S. Viswanathan duo. P. Susheela's rendition of this song remains a celebrated classic in Tamil devotional film music.

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