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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Anbu Ennum Oru Manthiram

From Sri Raghavendrar · 1985

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, Chorus
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Sri Raghavendrar1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kadhiravan ezhunthan kanairul agandrathuThe sun arose and the dense darkness disappeared.
Kadal alai meedhu nadanthathu kaatruThe wind walked over the ocean waves.
Paramporul naamam paadi parandhane pullinam….Singing the name of the Supreme Being, birds flew across the sky.
Male
Anbu enum oru mandhiram podhumThe single mantra named love is enough.
Anbu enum oru mandhiram podhumThe single mantra named love is enough.
Aaruyir ellaam oruyir aagumAll precious lives become one single soul.
Aaruyir ellaam oruyir aagumAll precious lives become one single soul.
Vaanam nilam yaavum devan arul mevumGod's grace resides across heaven and earth.
Male
Anbu enum oru mandhiram pothum…..The single mantra named love is enough.
Male
Meethi vazhi naadi nadanthana ivan kaalgalSeeking the path of righteousness, his feet walked.
Naadhan mozhi yaavum nyaana vaaikaalgalAll the words of the Lord are canals of divine wisdom.
Meethi vazhi naadi nadanthana ivan kaalgalSeeking the path of righteousness, his feet walked.
Naadhan mozhi yaavum nyaana vaaikaalgalAll the words of the Lord are canals of divine wisdom.
Male
Seelam vazhuvaadha thuravaram kaaththaanaeHe protected his ascetic life without wavering from moral virtue.
Sinangalai ariyaatha sindhanai vaaithaanaeHe possessed a mind that knew no anger.
Male
Amaithiyai kaakkum azhagiye thottramHis beautiful form preserves inner peace.
Arul malar pookkum arivenum thootamHe is a garden of wisdom where flowers of grace bloom.
Gurunaadhan arul vaazhagavaeMay the grace of the Guru live long!
Kulam yaavum nalam kaanave…May all communities prosper!
Male
Anbu enum oru mandhiram pothum…..The single mantra named love is enough.
Male
Sethiram pala naadi thirumaalin isai paadiSeeking many sacred shrines and singing the glory of Lord Vishnu,
Nethiram malarnthaanoDid he bloom with spiritual vision?
Saathigal pirikathe samudhaya nalam koorumWithout dividing people by caste, proclaiming social welfare,
Saathiram padaithaanoDid he create sacred scriptures?
Male
Eazhayar eliyoram yaenaiya madhanthorumFor the poor, the downtrodden, and people of all other faiths,
Eazhayar eliyoram yaenaiya madhanthorumFor the poor, the downtrodden, and people of all other faiths,
Yaethidum pemmaanaeO Great Lord revered by all!
Raghavendhira sri raghavendhiraRaghavendra, Sri Raghavendra!
Chorus :Raghavendhira sri raghavendhira…..Chorus: Raghavendra, Sri Raghavendra!
Male
Anbu enum oru mandhiram podhumThe single mantra named love is enough.
Aaruyir ellaam oruyir aagumAll precious lives become one single soul.
Anbu enum oru mandhiram podhumThe single mantra named love is enough.
Male
Pesugindra deivam neeYou are a living, speaking deity.
Chorus :RaghavendhiraChorus: Raghavendra!
Male :Pethamatra nyani neeMale: You are a wise saint free from all delusion.
Chorus :RaghavendhiraChorus: Raghavendra!
Male :Vazhukindra jeevan neeMale: You are an eternal living soul.
Chorus :RaghavendhiraChorus: Raghavendra!
Male :Vaazha veika vendum neeMale: You are the one who must sustain our lives.
Chorus :RaghavendhiraChorus: Raghavendra!
Raghavendhira sri raghavendhiraRaghavendra, Sri Raghavendra!
Raghavendhira sri raghavendhira…Raghavendra, Sri Raghavendra!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This uplifting devotional song celebrates the life, divine qualities, and universal love of Saint Guru Raghavendra. The opening imagery compares the arrival of spiritual enlightenment to the dawn breaking over nature, dispelling darkness. It emphasizes that love ('Anbu') is the ultimate holy chant capable of unifying all living beings into a single soul.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)

Arul malar pookkum arivenum thootam

Compares wisdom to a garden ('Arivenum thootam') and divine grace to blooming flowers ('Arul malar').

Second-Letter Rhyme (Edhugai)

Seelam vazhuvaadha thuravaram kaaththaanae / Sinangalai ariyaatha sindhanai vaaithaanae

Matching second consonants in 'Seelam' and 'Sinangalai' create rhythmic harmony.

Alliteration (Monaai)

Anbu enum oru mandhiram podhum / Aaruyir ellaam oruyir aagum

Repetition of the initial 'A' sound in 'Anbu', 'Aaruyir', 'Aagum', and 'Arul'.

Personification

Kadal alai meedhu nadanthathu kaatru

Attributing human actions like walking to the natural element of wind over ocean waves.

Did you know?

Trivia

This song is featured in the 1985 landmark film 'Sri Raghavendrar', which marked Tamil cinema superstar Rajinikanth's 100th film. Devoted to Saint Raghavendra Swamy, the film featured music by Ilaiyaraaja and soulful rendition by Malaysia Vasudevan, departing significantly from Rajinikanth's usual commercial action persona.

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