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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Anbaai Odi Vaadaa

From Dharma Devatha · 1952

Lyricist
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
Singers
C. R. Subburaman, N. Lalitha, Jikki
Music director
C. R. Subbaraman
Details
Dharma Devatha1952

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Anbaai odivaadaa aanantha krishnaaCome running lovingly, joyful Krishna!
Anbaai odivaadaa aanantha krishnaaCome running lovingly, joyful Krishna!
Maaya murali krishna vaaCome, magical Krishna with the flute!
Nee vaaraai inbam thaaraai endrumWon't you come and grant eternal joy?
Innum jaalamaenWhy continue this illusion/tricks?
Female
Oo….maayakrishna odi vaaOh... magical Krishna, come running!
Maalai soottuvenaeI shall place a garland on you.
Un kaalil ketchai naathamThe sound of anklets on your feet,
Konja vaaraayoWon't you come to lisp sweet words?
Female
Oo….maayakrishna odi vaaOh... magical Krishna, come running!
Maalai soottuvenaeI shall place a garland on you.
Un kaalil ketchai naathamThe sound of anklets on your feet,
Konja vaaraayoWon't you come to lisp sweet words?
Female
Kalaiyamuthae en kaniyamuthaeNectar of art, my sweet fruit-like nectar!
Kalaiyamuthae en kaniyamuthaeNectar of art, my sweet fruit-like nectar!
Kandaal inbam kondaalIf I see you, joy fills me;
Pothum kobaalaaThat is enough, Gopala!
Male
Anbaai odivaadaa aanantha krishnaaCome running lovingly, joyful Krishna!
Anbaai odivaadaa aanantha krishnaaCome running lovingly, joyful Krishna!
Maaya murali krishna vaaCome, magical Krishna with the flute!
Nee vaaraai inbam thaaraai endrumWon't you come and grant eternal joy?
Innum jaalamaenWhy continue this illusion/tricks?
Female
Oo…sodhanai yaenoOh... why this trial/test?
Sonnaalum kobanthaanoEven if I speak, are you angry?
Yae….maadottum gogula balaHey... cow-herding child of Gokulam!
Oo….sodhanai yaenoOh... why this trial/test?
Sonnaalum kobanthaanoEven if I speak, are you angry?
Yae….maadottum gogula balaHey... cow-herding child of Gokulam!
Female
Maiyalaaguthae manamogam meeruthaeMy mind becomes infatuated, passion overflows,
Maiyalaaguthae manamogam meeruthae….ooo….oo…My mind becomes infatuated, passion overflows... oh...
Marmam seiyyaamal odi vaaraayoWithout keeping secrets, won't you come running?
Female
Anbaai odivaadaa aanantha krishnaaCome running lovingly, joyful Krishna!
Oo…maaya murali krishna vaaOh... come, magical Krishna with the flute!
Nee vaaraai inbam thaaraai endrumWon't you come and grant eternal joy?
Innum jaalamaenWhy continue this illusion/tricks?
Female
Oo….mogana krishna muraari balakrishna neeOh... enchanting Krishna, Murari, child Krishna, you,
Maaraatha inbae thaaraaiGrant unceasing bliss!
Pallu paadalaam thulli vanthaadalaam…oo…oo…Let us sing folk songs, let us dance with joy... oh...
Nanadhagopalaa odi vaaraayo….Nandagopala, won't you come running?
Pallu paadalaam thulli vanthaadalaam…oo…oo…Let us sing folk songs, let us dance with joy... oh...
Nanadhagopalaa odi vaaraayo….Nandagopala, won't you come running?
Male
Anbaai odivaadaa aanantha krishnaaCome running lovingly, joyful Krishna!
Anbaai odivaadaa aanantha krishnaaCome running lovingly, joyful Krishna!
Maaya murali krishna vaaCome, magical Krishna with the flute!
Nee vaaraai inbam thaaraai endrumWon't you come and grant eternal joy?
Innum jaalamaen….Why continue this illusion/tricks?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic devotional-romantic song from 'Dharma Devatha' (1952) expresses deep longing and devotion toward Lord Krishna. The devotee/Gopi passionately invites Krishna to come to her, calling him by affectionate names like Anantha Krishna, Maaya Murali Krishna, and Gopala. She pleads with him to stop teasing or playing tricks and instead grant her eternal bliss and love. The lyrics beautifully blend spiritual surrender with romantic yearning (Nayana/Madhura Bhakti), describing Krishna's anklets, flute playing, and playful nature. The song captures the joyful anticipation of uniting with Krishna, offering garlands, singing songs, and dancing together in delight.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monorhyme / Rhyme (Iyaibu)

Anbaai odivaadaa aanantha krishnaa

Repetition of ending sounds like 'krishnaa', 'vaaraayo', 'bala' to create rhythmic melodic harmony.

Metaphor (Uruvagandhal)

Kalaiyamuthae en kaniyamuthae

Describing Krishna directly as 'Kalaiyamuthae' (nectar of art) and 'kaniyamuthae' (sweet fruit-like nectar).

Alliteration (Moni)

Maiyalaaguthae manamogam meeruthae

Repetition of initial consonants/vowels like 'M' in 'Maiyalaaguthae manamogam meeruthae'.

Anaphora

Anbaai odivaadaa aanantha krishnaa

Repetition of opening phrases 'Anbaai odivaadaa' across multiple stanzas for emotional intensity.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Dharma Devatha' (1952) was a prominent bilingual film made in Tamil and Telugu by Gemini Studios / Rohini Pictures, featuring music composed by C. R. Subburaman. Subburaman not only composed the soundtrack but also contributed vocals alongside singers like N. Lalitha and Jikki. Tragically, C. R. Subburaman passed away shortly after working on this movie at a very young age, making this soundtrack one of his final masterworks.

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