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Lyrics & meaning

Arul Puriyayo Jagan Nadha

From Thangamalai Ragasiyam · 1957

Lyricist
Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniam
Singer
Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi
Music director
T. G. Lingappa
Details
Thangamalai Ragasiyam1957

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Arul puriyaaiyoo jegannaadhaaWon't you bestow your grace, O Lord of the Universe?
Nee arul puriyaaiyoo jegannaadhaaWon't you bestow your grace, O Lord of the Universe?
Anudhinam unnai panindhidum en melUpon me, who bows to you daily,
Arul puriyaaiyoo jegannaadhaaWon't you bestow your grace, O Lord of the Universe?
Female
Param porulaai engum niraindha vinodhaaO wondrous one who is omnipresent as the ultimate supreme truth!
Paarinil paedhaiyar nilai theriyaadha…aaaa…Unaware of the plight of the innocent in this world... ah...
Paarinil paedhaiyar nilai theriyaadhaUnaware of the plight of the innocent in this world,
Perundhuyar theerthida innamum vaadhaIs it still a debate to end their great sorrow?
Per inba thaandavam aadidum paadhaO feet that dance the eternal cosmic bliss!
Nee arul puriyaaiyoo jegannaadhaaWon't you bestow your grace, O Lord of the Universe?
Female
Gnyaana sambandhan munnae odi vandhaaiyae..ae…Did you not run forward before Jnana Sambandar... ah...
Gnyaana sambandhan munnae odi vandhaaiyae..Did you not run forward before Jnana Sambandar,
Gnaathai paaludan kalanthu thandhaaiGiving him divine wisdom blended with milk?
Oonudan sidhaitha seeraalanai neeyaeYou are the one who restored Seeralan whose flesh was cut,
Ooru pera seidhu ullam magizhdhaayaeGiving him renown and rejoicing in your heart!
Nee arul puriyaaiyoo jegannaadhaaWon't you bestow your grace, O Lord of the Universe?
Female
Vanmana vilangellaamAll the fierce-hearted wild animals...
Vanmana vilangellaam vaazhndhidum theeyaEven in the fiery forest where cruel-hearted beasts dwell,
Vanathilum thuruvanai kaathavan neeyaeYou are the one who protected Dhruva!
Mannil koraa kumbar medhithitta seiyai..aaaThe child crushed by Gora Kumbhar in the mud... ah...
Mannil koraa kumbar madhithitta seiyai….The child crushed by Gora Kumbhar in the mud,
Marubadi uyirudan thavazha seidhaiayaeYou brought back to life to crawl once more!
Female
Arul puriyaaiyoo jegannaadhaaWon't you bestow your grace, O Lord of the Universe?
Anudhinam unnai panindhidum en melUpon me, who bows to you daily,
Arul puriyaaiyoo jegannaadhaaWon't you bestow your grace, O Lord of the Universe?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic devotional song from Thangamalai Ragasiyam (1957) is a poignant plea to the Supreme Almighty for grace and deliverance from worldly suffering. Sung with deep classical fervor by Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi, the protagonist surrenders completely, asking why the Divine delays in relieving the sorrow of the innocent. To reinforce her faith, the lyricist Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniam references famous miracle stories from Indian spiritual lore: Goddess Parvati/Lord Shiva feeding divine wisdom milk to child-saint Thirugnana Sambandar, the resurrection of Siruthondar's son Seeralan, the protection of young devotee Dhruva in a dangerous forest, and the restoration to life of the child crushed underfoot by saint Gora Kumbhar. By invoking these divine interventions, the singer appeals to the Lord's compassionate nature to grant similar mercy.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Paarinil paedhaiyar nilai theriyaadha / Perundhuyar theerthida innamum vaadha / Per inba thaandavam aadidum paadha

Matching end sounds across consecutive lines ('theriyaadha', 'vaadha', 'paadha') creating rhythmic flow.

Mythological Allusion (Arohana/Puraana Reethiyaana Kurippu)

Gnyaana sambandhan munnae odi vandhaaiyae / Gnaathai paaludan kalanthu thandhaai

Reference to the miracle of Thirugnana Sambandar receiving milk of divine wisdom from Goddess Parvati.

Edhukai (Second Letter Assonance/Consonance)

Vanmana vilangellaam vaazhndhidum theeya / Vanathilum thuruvanai kaathavan neeyae

Matching second consonants ('n') in adjacent lines 'Vanmana' and 'Vanathilum'.

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Trivia

Composed by T. G. Lingappa for the 1957 hit film 'Thangamalai Ragasiyam' starring Sivaji Ganesan, this song remains one of singer Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi's most renowned semi-classical film compositions. It highlights Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniam's mastery in integrating diverse devotional legends seamlessly into film lyrics.

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