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Isaimozhi
Nayagan album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Andhi Mazhai Megam

From Nayagan · 1987

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singers
T. L. Maharajan, P. Susheela, Chorus
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Nayagan
Movie release year
1987
Lyrics added on
5 Jan 2018

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Andhi mazhai megam
Thangha mazhai thoovum
Thirunaalaam
Enghalukkum kaalam
Vandhadhena paadum
Perunaalaam
Hoi idi kottu melam
Adhu kottum neram
Engal theru engum therodum
Chorus :Therodum thiru naalaagum
Naal dhorum ingu oorgolam
Andhi mazhai megam
Thangha mazhai thoovum
Thirunaalaam
Enghalukkum kaalam
Vandhadhena paadum
Perunaalaam
Neer nadakkum
Paadhai engum nanjaiyaanadhu
Chorus :Thanakka dheem
Naam nadakkum paadhai
Engum panjam ponadhu
Chorus :Thanakka dheem
Maadangal kalaikoodangal
Yaar seidhaar adhai naam seidhom
Male :Naadaalum oru raajaangam
Yaar thandhaar adhai naam thandhom
Dhesam ennum solaiyil
Vergal naangalae
Male :Thiyaagam ennum jodhiyil
Dheebam naangalae
Thaamthanaththom
Dheemthanaththom
Raagham paaduvom
Andhi mazhai megam
Thangha mazhai thoovum
Thirunaalaam
Enghalukkum kaalam
Vandhadhena paadum
Perunaalaam
Hei idi kottu melam
Adhu kottum neram
Engal theru engum therodum
Chorus :Therodum thiru naalaagum
Naal dhorum ingu oorgolam
Hooo…oo…oo…oohoooo….
Hooo…oo…oo…oohoooo….
Paal kudangal thaenkudangal
Nooru vandhadhu
Chorus :Thanakka dheem
Kai vanangum dheivam ondru
Naeril vandhadhu
Chorus :Thanakka dheem
Poovaaram ini soottungal
Karpooram ini yettrungal
Female :Oorellaam kaliyaattangal
Ennenna ini kaattungal
Veedudhoram mangalam
Indru vandhadhu
Female :Kaanum bodhu nenjinil
Inbam vandhadhu
Thaamthanaththom
Dheemthanaththom
Raagham paaduvom
Andhi mazhai megam
Thangha mazhai thoovum
Thirunaalaam
Female :Enghalukkum kaalam
Vandhadhena paadum
Perunaalaam
Hei idi kottu melam
Female :Adhu kottum neram
Male & Female :
Engal theru engum therodum
Chorus :Therodum thiru naalaagum
Naal dhorum ingu oorgolam
Andhi mazhai megam
Thangha mazhai thoovum
Thirunaalaam
Enghalukkum kaalam
Vandhadhena paadum
Perunaalaam
The twilight rain clouds
sprinkle golden rain
on this auspicious festive day!
Singing that our time, too,
has finally arrived,
it is a day of great celebration!
Hey, thunder beats like drums,
and when it strikes,
chariots roll through all our streets!
Chorus: A festive day when chariots roll,
every day is a grand procession here!
The twilight rain clouds
sprinkle golden rain
on this auspicious festive day!
Singing that our time, too,
has finally arrived,
it is a day of great celebration!
Wherever water flows,
the land turns into fertile fields!
Chorus: Thanakka theem
Wherever we walk,
poverty and famine disappear!
Chorus: Thanakka theem
Grand mansions and halls of art—
who built them? We built them!
Male: The government that rules the land—
who created it? We did!
In the garden called our nation,
we are the roots!
Male: In the flame of sacrifice,
we are the light!
Thaam thana thom
Theem thana thom
let us sing this melody!
The twilight rain clouds
sprinkle golden rain
on this auspicious festive day!
Singing that our time, too,
has finally arrived,
it is a day of great celebration!
Hey, thunder beats like drums,
and when it strikes,
chariots roll through all our streets!
Chorus: A festive day when chariots roll,
every day is a grand procession here!
Ho-o-o... oo... oo... ooho-o-o...
Ho-o-o... oo... oo... ooho-o-o...
Pots of milk and pots of honey,
a hundred have arrived!
Chorus: Thanakka theem
The deity we worship with folded hands
has appeared before us in person!
Chorus: Thanakka theem
Adorn him with flower garlands now!
Light the camphor in worship now!
Female: Festivities across the whole town,
show all your joy now!
Auspicious blessings
have entered every home today!
Female: Seeing this, our hearts
are filled with pure joy!
Thaam thana thom
Theem thana thom
let us sing this melody!
The twilight rain clouds
sprinkle golden rain
on this auspicious festive day!
Female: Singing that our time, too,
has finally arrived,
it is a day of great celebration!
Hey, thunder beats like drums,
Female: and when it strikes,
Male & Female:
chariots roll through all our streets!
Chorus: A festive day when chariots roll,
every day is a grand procession here!
The twilight rain clouds
sprinkle golden rain
on this auspicious festive day!
Singing that our time, too,
has finally arrived,
it is a day of great celebration!
Male
Female
Female
Female
Male
Female
Female
Chorus
Female
Male
Chorus
Male
Female
Male
Male
Chorus
Male
Male
Chorus

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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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