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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Anbendra Mazhaiyilae

From Minsara Kanavu · 1997

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
Anuradha Sriram
Music director
A. R. Rahman
Details
Minsara Kanavu1997

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Anbendra mazhaiyilae agilangal nanaiyavaeSo that the worlds are soaked in the rain of love,
Adhiroopan thondrinaanaeThe most handsome one appeared.
Vaikkolin meloru vairamaai vairamaaiLike a diamond upon the hay,
Vandhavan minninaanaeHe came and shone brightly.
Vinmeengal kanpaarkka sooriyan thondrumoWill the sun rise while the stars look on?
Pugazhmaindhan thondrinaanaeThe glorious Son appeared.
Kanneerin kaayathai senneeril aatravae sisubaalan thondrinaanaeTo heal the wound of tears with His holy blood, the infant child appeared.
Female
Anbendra mazhaiyilae agilangal nanaiyavaeSo that the worlds are soaked in the rain of love,
Adhiroopan thondrinaanae..adhiroopan thondrinaanaeThe most handsome one appeared.. the most handsome one appeared.
Porkonda boomiyil pookkaadu kaanavaeTo see a forest of flowers in a war-torn world,
Pugazhmaindhan thondrinaanae..pugazhmaindhan thondrinaanaeThe glorious Son appeared.. the glorious Son appeared.
Female
Kalvaari malaiyilae kallondru pookkavumFor even a stone to bloom on Mount Calvary,
Karunaimagan thondrinaanaeThe merciful Son appeared.
Nootraandu iravinai nodiyodu pokkidumTo dispel a century-old darkness in a mere instant,
Oliyaaga thondrinaanaeHe appeared as the light.
Irumbaana nenjilum eerangal kasiyavaeSo that even iron hearts ooze with tenderness,
Iraibaalan thondrinaanaeThe divine child appeared.
Mutkaadu engilum pookkaadu pookkavaeSo that a garden of flowers blooms everywhere in a forest of thorns,
Puviraajan thondrinaanaeThe King of the Earth appeared.
Female
{Anbendra mazhaiyilae agilangal nanaiyavaeSo that the worlds are soaked in the rain of love,
Adhiroopan thondrinaanae..adhiroopan thondrinaanaeThe most handsome one appeared.. the most handsome one appeared.
Vaikkolin meloru vairamaai vairamaaiLike a diamond upon the hay,
Vandhavan minninaanae…vandhavan minninaanae} (2)He came and shone brightly.. he came and shone brightly.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Anbendra Mazhaiyilae is a deeply spiritual hymn from the 1997 movie Minsara Kanavu, composed by A.R. Rahman with lyrics by Vairamuthu and vocals by Anuradha Sriram. The song celebrates the birth, divine grace, and compassionate mission of Jesus Christ. Metaphorically described as a rain of love soaking the universe and a diamond lying on humble hay, His arrival brings hope, light, and transformation to a troubled world. The lyrics vividly illustrate how divine love softens iron hearts, turns war-torn battlefields into gardens of flowers, and heals human suffering.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Anbendra mazhaiyilae agilangal nanaiyavae

Compares love to rain ('Anbendra mazhaiyilae') and ignorance or suffering to a century of night ('Nootraandu iravinai').

Simile (Uvamai)

Vaikkolin meloru vairamaai vairamaai

Compares Jesus resting in the manger to a bright diamond lying on straw ('Vaikkolin meloru vairamaai').

Contrast (Muran)

Mutkaadu engilum pookkaadu pookkavae

Juxtaposes harsh images with peaceful ones, such as a war-torn world transforming into a flower garden ('Porkonda boomiyil pookkaadu') and a thorn forest blooming ('Mutkaadu / Pookkaadu').

Alliteration (Monai)

Porkonda boomiyil pookkaadu kaanavae

Repetition of initial consonant and vowel sounds such as 'Porkonda' and 'Pookkaadu' or 'Kalvaari' and 'Kallondru' creating a rhythmic choir melody.

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Trivia

Composed by A.R. Rahman and sung passionately by Anuradha Sriram along with a grand choir, this song serves as a centerpiece performance in Minsara Kanavu for the lead character Priya (played by Kajol), who aspires to become a nun. A.R. Rahman won the National Film Award for Best Music Direction for the film's soundtrack.

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