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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Annaiye Kaaliyamma

From Satharam · 1956

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, A. P. Komala, A. G. Rathnamala, V. T. Rajagopalan
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Details
Satharam1956

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
Annaiye kaaliyamma eeswsariOh Mother Kaali, Goddess Eeshwari!
Naangal aandu poosai seigirom aadhariWe perform the annual worship, please support us.
Aayudha poojaiyaam naamindru ellorumToday is Ayudha Pooja, all of us...
Aayudha poojaiyaam naamindru ellorumToday is Ayudha Pooja, all of us...
Aanandhamaai paadi kondaaduvomWill sing and celebrate joyfully!
Aanandhamaai paadi kondaaduvomWill sing and celebrate joyfully!
Chorus
Mannaadhi mannar vanangum thanganGolden leader bowed to by kings of kings,
Indha maanilathirkku adhigaara thunganThe supreme ruler of this vast land,
Mannaadhi mannar vanangum thanganGolden leader bowed to by kings of kings,
Indha maanilathirkku adhigaara thunganThe supreme ruler of this vast land,
Ennaalum vaazhga adhiveera singanMay the supremely brave lion live forever!
Ennaalum vaazhga adhiveera singanMay the supremely brave lion live forever!
Raajathi raaja kambeeran vaazhgaLong live the majestic King of Kings!
Raajathi raaja kambeeran vaazhgaLong live the majestic King of Kings!
Chorus
Annaiye kaaliyamma eeswsariOh Mother Kaali, Goddess Eeshwari!
Naangal aandu poosai seigirom aadhariWe perform the annual worship, please support us.
Male
Thillumullugal paesiSpeaking deceits and tricks,
Thiraviaym serthu veikkumAmassing wealth endlessly,
Thirudarukku thirudan naanae naanaeI am the thief of thieves who do so!
en paeru theevatti kollaikaaran thaaneMy name is the torch-bearing bandit!
Male
Thillumullugal paesiSpeaking deceits and tricks,
Thiraviaym serthu veikkumAmassing wealth endlessly,
Thirudarukku thirudan naanae naanaeI am the thief of thieves who do so!
en paeru theevatti kollaikaaran thaaneMy name is the torch-bearing bandit!
Male
Dhinam kallumanam padaithorEvery day, those with hearts of stone,
Kanjathanam udaiyorrAnd those who are stingy misers,
Kadhi kalangi thiruduvenae naanaeI rob them leaving them panicked and shaken!
Ooraar ..kaanave naeril varuvenae naaneI come directly in front of the townspeople to see!
Chorus
Thanananae thanananae thanananae thaaneThanananae thanananae thanananae thaane
Thanananae thanananae thanananae thaaneThanananae thanananae thanananae thaane
Aadiduvom padiduvom aanandhamaai naameLet us dance and sing together in delight,
Aayi magamaayi thannai vendiduvom naameLet us pray to Goddess Magamaayi!
Thanananae thanananae thanananae thaaneThanananae thanananae thanananae thaane
Thanananae thanananae thanananae thaaneThanananae thanananae thanananae thaane
Male
Arasargalai vaettaiyaadum adhiveera singan seedanaanI am the disciple of the brave lion who hunts kings!
Varum aalin kuralukku baanam thoduthuShooting an arrow towards the sound of an approaching person,
Aavi pokkum villaali naan haa…aaa aaI am the master archer who takes away life! Haa... aaa aa
Mulu mukkaal arai guru en parambaraiFull, three-quarters, half—a lineage of gurus!
Mulu mukkaal arai guru en parambaraiFull, three-quarters, half—a lineage of gurus!
Mulu mukkaal araiFull, three-quarters, half...
Chorus
Thanananae thanananae thanananae thaaneThanananae thanananae thanananae thaane
Thanananae thanananae thanananae thaaneThanananae thanananae thanananae thaane
Aadiduvom padiduvom aanandhamaai naameLet us dance and sing together in delight,
Aayi magamaayi thannai vendiduvom naameLet us pray to Goddess Magamaayi!
Thanananae thanananae thanananae thaaneThanananae thanananae thanananae thaane
Thanananae thanananae thanananae thaaneThanananae thanananae thanananae thaane

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from the film Satharam (1956) is a lively folk song combining devotional reverence for Goddess Kaali (Magamaayi) during Ayudha Pooja with a bold declaration of heroic banditry. The group offers prayers to Mother Kaali and praises their leader, hailed as a majestic and brave lion ruler respected even by kings. The bandit character proudly describes his Robin Hood-like exploits—robbing only deceitful, stone-hearted misers and corrupt thieves right in plain sight of the villagers. He boasts about his supreme archer skills passed down from legendary lineage, capable of striking targets purely by sound, all wrapped in traditional folk rhythms and dance.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai / Uruvagathil)

Ennaalum vaazhga adhiveera singan

Compares the bandit leader to a brave lion ('adhiveera singan') to emphasize courage and majesty.

Edhugai (Second-letter rhyme)

Thillumullugal paesi / Thiraviaym serthu veikkum / Thirudarukku thirudan naanae naanae

The second consonant sound ('ll' / 'r') creates a rhythmic rhyme across consecutive lines ('Thillumullugal', 'Thiraviaym', 'Thirudarukku').

Mona (Initial letter alliteration)

Thillumullugal paesi / Thiraviaym serthu veikkum

Repetition of the 'Th' consonant at the start of adjacent words for rhythmic effect.

Refrain / Onomatopoeic Folk Rhythm

Thanananae thanananae thanananae thaane

Use of rhythmic filler syllables ('Thanananae') to build energy in Tamil folk performance.

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Trivia

Satharam (1956) starred Gemini Ganesan, P. Bhanumathi, and K. A. Thangavelu. The music was scored by G. Ramanathan, one of the grand maestros of early Tamil cinema, known for blending authentic Carnatic and Tamil folk idioms. The lyrics were penned by A. Maruthakasi, celebrated for his rich vocabulary in rural and folk imagery.

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