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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Andhi Mazhai Megam

From Nayagan · 1987

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singers
T. L. Maharajan, P. Susheela, Chorus
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Nayagan1987

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Andhi mazhai megamThe evening rain cloud
Thangha mazhai thoovumDrizzles golden rain
ThirunaalaamIt is a holy festive day
Enghalukkum kaalamFor us too, a golden time
Vandhadhena paadumSinging that our time has arrived
PerunaalaamIt is a grand celebration day
Female
Hoi idi kottu melamHey, beat the thunderous drums
Adhu kottum neramWhen that drum beats
Engal theru engum therodumChariots will run across all our streets
Chorus :Therodum thiru naalaagumChorus: Chariots will run on this holy day
Naal dhorum ingu oorgolamEvery day here is a procession
Female
Andhi mazhai megamThe evening rain cloud
Thangha mazhai thoovumDrizzles golden rain
ThirunaalaamIt is a holy festive day
Enghalukkum kaalamFor us too, a golden time
Vandhadhena paadumSinging that our time has arrived
PerunaalaamIt is a grand celebration day
Female
Neer nadakkumEvery path where water flows
Paadhai engum nanjaiyaanadhuHas turned into fertile wetland
Chorus :Thanakka dheemChorus: Thanakka dheem
Male
Naam nadakkum paadhaiThe path where we walk
Engum panjam ponadhuPoverty has disappeared everywhere
Chorus :Thanakka dheemChorus: Thanakka dheem
Female
Maadangal kalaikoodangalMansions and halls of arts
Yaar seidhaar adhai naam seidhomWho built them? We built them
Male :Naadaalum oru raajaangamMale: A kingdom that rules the land
Yaar thandhaar adhai naam thandhomWho gave it? We gave it
Female
Dhesam ennum solaiyilIn the garden called the nation
Vergal naangalaeWe are the roots
Male :Thiyaagam ennum jodhiyilMale: In the flame called sacrifice
Dheebam naangalaeWe are the lamps
Chorus
ThaamthanaththomThaamthanaththom
DheemthanaththomDheemthanaththom
Raagham paaduvomLet us sing a melody
Female
Andhi mazhai megamThe evening rain cloud
Thangha mazhai thoovumDrizzles golden rain
ThirunaalaamIt is a holy festive day
Enghalukkum kaalamFor us too, a golden time
Vandhadhena paadumSinging that our time has arrived
PerunaalaamIt is a grand celebration day
Male
Hei idi kottu melamHey, beat the thunderous drums
Adhu kottum neramWhen that drum beats
Engal theru engum therodumChariots will run across all our streets
Chorus :Therodum thiru naalaagumChorus: Chariots will run on this holy day
Naal dhorum ingu oorgolamEvery day here is a procession
Chorus
Hooo…oo…oo…oohoooo….Hooo…oo…oo…oohoooo….
Hooo…oo…oo…oohoooo….Hooo…oo…oo…oohoooo….
Male
Paal kudangal thaenkudangalPots of milk and pots of honey
Nooru vandhadhuA hundred have arrived
Chorus :Thanakka dheemChorus: Thanakka dheem
Female
Kai vanangum dheivam ondruA God worshipped with folded hands
Naeril vandhadhuHas come in person
Chorus :Thanakka dheemChorus: Thanakka dheem
Male
Poovaaram ini soottungalAdorn with flower garlands now
Karpooram ini yettrungalLight the camphor now
Female :Oorellaam kaliyaattangalFemale: Festive rejoicings across the whole town
Ennenna ini kaattungalShow us what delights are in store now
Male
Veedudhoram mangalamAuspiciousness in every home
Indru vandhadhuHas arrived today
Female :Kaanum bodhu nenjinilFemale: Upon seeing this, in the heart
Inbam vandhadhuJoy has overflowed
Chorus
ThaamthanaththomThaamthanaththom
DheemthanaththomDheemthanaththom
Raagham paaduvomLet us sing a melody
Male
Andhi mazhai megamThe evening rain cloud
Thangha mazhai thoovumDrizzles golden rain
ThirunaalaamIt is a holy festive day
Female :Enghalukkum kaalamFemale: For us too, a golden time
Vandhadhena paadumSinging that our time has arrived
PerunaalaamIt is a grand celebration day
Male
Hei idi kottu melamHey, beat the thunderous drums
Female :Adhu kottum neramFemale: When that drum beats
Male & Female :Male & Female:
Engal theru engum therodumChariots will run across all our streets
Chorus :Therodum thiru naalaagumChorus: Chariots will run on this holy day
Naal dhorum ingu oorgolamEvery day here is a procession
Chorus
Andhi mazhai megamThe evening rain cloud
Thangha mazhai thoovumDrizzles golden rain
ThirunaalaamIt is a holy festive day
Enghalukkum kaalamFor us too, a golden time
Vandhadhena paadumSinging that our time has arrived
PerunaalaamIt is a grand celebration day

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Andhi Mazhai Megam from Mani Ratnam's Nayagan (1987) is a grand, exuberant anthem sung by the local working-class residents in Dharavi, Mumbai. The song celebrates a newfound sense of self-respect, prosperity, and joy brought into their lives by their leader and protector, Velu Naicker. Through rich metaphors of nature, agriculture, and craftsmanship, the lyrics honor the labor of the working class as the foundational roots of society. The community comes together in temple-festival style celebrations, expressing gratitude and viewing their savior as a living deity who eradicated poverty and brought dignity to their neighborhood.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagham)

Dhesam ennum solaiyil / Vergal naangalae

The workers are portrayed as the underground roots sustaining the garden of the nation, and as the flame-bearing lamps in the sacrifice of nation-building.

Imagery (Visual & Auditory Imagery)

Andhi mazhai megam / Thangha mazhai thoovum

Vivid visual and auditory imagery depicting golden rain, grand chariot processions, and thunderous drums to convey communal happiness and festivity.

Deification (Deiva Uruvagham)

Kai vanangum dheivam ondru / Naeril vandhadhu

Velu Naicker is elevated to divine status, metaphorically described as a living deity worshipped with folded hands who brings joy to the slum.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by Pulamaipithan, this iconic celebration song showcases the cultural preservation of Tamil migrant workers in Dharavi, Mumbai within Mani Ratnam's magnum opus Nayagan (1987).

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