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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Androru Naal

From Kudumba Thalaivan · 1962

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Kudumba Thalaivan1962

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Androru naal avanudaiya perai kettenOne day, I asked for his name
Adutha naalil avanirukkum oorai kettenThe next day, I asked for the town where he resides
Indruvarai avan mugathai naanum kaanenUntil today, I haven't seen his face
Avan ennai thaedi varum varaikkum vidavum maattenI will not give up until he comes searching for me
Female
Androru naal avanudaiya perai kettenOne day, I asked for his name
Adutha naalil avanirukkum oorai kettenThe next day, I asked for the town where he resides
Indruvarai avan mugathai naanum kaanenUntil today, I haven't seen his face
Avan ennai thaedi varum varaikkum vidavum maattenI will not give up until he comes searching for me
Female
Androru naal avanudaiya perai kettenOne day, I asked for his name
Oorai kettenAsked for his town
Female
Aandi pola vaeshamittu avan iruppaanaamThey say he takes the guise of a simple mendicant
Avanai arasan pola singaarithu thaer izhuppaaraamYet they decorate him like a king and pull his grand chariot
Aandi pola vaeshamittu avan iruppaanaamThey say he takes the guise of a simple mendicant
Avanai arasan pola singaarithu thaer izhuppaaraamYet they decorate him like a king and pull his grand chariot
Vendiyavar vendaadhavar avanukkillaiHe has no favorites and no enemies
Manam veettukkullae avanirundhum kaanbavarillaiThough he resides within the sanctuary of the mind, no one sees him
Aa…aa…aa…aaa…aa…aaa…aaa…aaa…Aa…aa…aa…aaa…aa…aaa…aaa…aaa…
Female
Androru naal avanudaiya perai kettenOne day, I asked for his name
Oorai kettenAsked for his town
Female
Andhi sandhi artha jaamam ethanai poojaiHow many worship rituals take place at dusk, dawn, and midnight
Avan aalayathu maniyinilthaan ethanai osaiHow many sounds echo from the bells of his temple
Andhi sandhi artha jaamam ethanai poojaiHow many worship rituals take place at dusk, dawn, and midnight
Avan aalayathu maniyinilthaan ethanai osaiHow many sounds echo from the bells of his temple
Sundharappoo mugathai kaana ethanai koottamWhat a vast crowd gathers to see his beautiful, flower-like face
Adhai thodarndhu naanum paarthu vandhaalIf I too follow and gaze upon him
Theerndhidum vaattamAll my distress will fade away
Aa…aa…aa…aaa…aa…aaa…aaa…aaa…Aa…aa…aa…aaa…aa…aaa…aaa…aaa…
Female
Androru naal avanudaiya perai kettenOne day, I asked for his name
Adutha naalil avanirukkum oorai kettenThe next day, I asked for the town where he resides
Indruvarai avan mugathai naanum kaanenUntil today, I haven't seen his face
Avan ennai thaedi varum varaikkum vidavum maattenI will not give up until he comes searching for me
Female
Androru naal avanudaiya perai kettenOne day, I asked for his name
Oorai kettenAsked for his town

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from the film 'Kudumba Thalaivan' (1962) expresses a devotee's deep philosophical and devotional longing for the Divine (Lord Shiva). The protagonist reflects on inquiring about God's name and dwelling place, acknowledging that while God assumes the form of an unattached ascetic ('Aandi'), devotees worship Him as a sovereign king ('Arasan') atop temple chariots. The lyrics highlight God's absolute impartiality—devoid of attachment or aversion—and note that although He resides within human hearts, He remains hidden from worldly eyes. The verse describes the ceaseless rituals, rhythmic bell chiming, and gathering crowds drawn to the divine presence. The protagonist resolves to stay steadfast in devotion, convinced that beholding the glorious, flower-like face of the Lord will instantly dissolve all worldly pain and sorrow.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Aandi pola vaeshamittu avan iruppaanaam

Compares God's simple ascetic form to a beggar ('Aandi pola') and His exalted idol form to a monarch ('Arasan pola').

Contrast / Antithesis (Ethirnilai)

Aandi pola vaeshamittu avan iruppaanaam / Avanai arasan pola singaarithu thaer izhuppaaraam

Juxtaposes the humble appearance of a mendicant with the regal grandeur of a temple chariot procession.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Manam veettukkullae avanirundhum kaanbavarillai

Metaphorically frames the mind as an inner house ('Manam veettukkullae') and describes the divine face as a flower ('Sundharappoo mugam').

End Rhyme (Iyaibu)

Andhi sandhi artha jaamam ethanai poojai / Avan aalayathu maniyinilthaan ethanai osai

Line endings rhyme seamlessly using '-ketten' / '-kaanen' / '-maatten' and '-poojai' / '-osai'.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Androru Naal' is a classic track composed by K. V. Mahadevan and sung by P. Susheela, featuring lyrics by Kannadasan for the M. G. Ramachandran and B. Saroja Devi starrer 'Kudumba Thalaivan' (1962).

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