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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Avaniyil Puthumurai

From Manimekalai · 1959

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singers
Trichy Loganathan, N. L. Ganasaraswathi
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Details
Manimekalai1959

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Butham saranam gachaamiI take refuge in the Buddha
Chorus :Butham saranam gachaamiChorus: I take refuge in the Buddha
Male :Butham saranam gachaamiMale: I take refuge in the Buddha
Chorus :Butham saranam gachaamiChorus: I take refuge in the Buddha
Male :Sangam saranam gachaamiMale: I take refuge in the Sangha
Chorus :Sangam saranam gachaamiChorus: I take refuge in the Sangha
Butham saranam gachaamiI take refuge in the Buddha
Female
Aatchi peedam thurandhaHe who renounced the throne of power,
Annalin naamam pottriPraise the name of that revered Great One!
Chorus :Humming ….Chorus: Humming...
Male :Kaatchikku eliyananaMale: Accessible and simple to look upon,
Dhyaalan por paadham pottriPraise the golden feet of the compassionate benefactor!
Female
Naattirkku nanmai seidhaHe who performed good deeds for the nation,
Naayagan thondu pottriPraise the selfless service of that leader!
Chorus :Humming ….Chorus: Humming...
Male :Thannalam illaadha manidha thanmaiMale: He who possessed a selfless human nature,
Padaithavan karunai pottriPraise the boundless compassion of that Creator!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This devotional song from the 1959 Tamil film 'Manimekalai' pays tribute to Lord Buddha and his eternal teachings. Beginning with the sacred Pali chant 'Buddham Saranam Gacchami' and 'Sangham Saranam Gacchami', the song invokes a sense of spiritual surrender and peace. The lyrics highlight Lord Buddha's renunciation of royal power and his throne in pursuit of universal truth. It praises his accessibility, generous nature, selfless service to humanity, and boundless compassion, perfectly capturing the core spiritual values of the epic poem Manimekalai.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Aatchi peedam thurandha / Kaatchikku eliyanana

The second letter 'tchi' (ட்) rhymes between 'Aatchi' and 'Kaatchikku'.

Monai (First-letter Alliteration)

Naattirkku nanmai seidha / Naayagan thondu pottri

The 'Na' sound is repeated across words in the same couplet ('Naattirkku', 'nanmai', 'Naayagan').

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Annalin naamam pottri ... thondu pottri ... karunai pottri

Multiple lines conclude with the word 'pottri' (praise), creating a rhythmic chant-like ending.

Refrain

Butham saranam gachaami

The repetition of 'Butham saranam gachaami' acts as a meditative chorus refrain.

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Trivia

The film 'Manimekalai' (1959) is an adaptation of one of the Five Great Epics of Tamil Literature written by Chithalai Chathanar. Composed by G. Ramanathan with lyrics by A. Maruthakasi, this song directly incorporates traditional Buddhist Pali verses into classical Tamil cinema music, reflecting the epic's core Buddhist philosophies.

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