Azhaikiran Madhavan Aanirai
From Sri Raghavendrar · 1985
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singers
- K. J. Yesudas, C. Dinesh
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Sri Raghavendrar1985
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Azhaikiran madhavan | Madhava is calling out to me. |
| Aanirai meithavan | The one who grazed the herd of cows. |
| Manimudium mayil iragum | Wearing a jeweled crown and a peacock feather, |
| Ethir varavum thuthi purindhaen | As he appeared before me, I offered my praise. |
| Maadhava kesavaa sridharaa om | O Madhava, Kesava, Sridhara, Om! |
| Male | |
| Thedinen devadeva thamarai paathamey | I searched for your lotus feet, O God of Gods. |
| Vadineen vasudeva vandhadhu neramey | I bowed down, Vasudeva, the right time has arrived. |
| Nyana vaasal naadinaen | I sought the doorway of spiritual wisdom. |
| Vedha gaanam paadinaen | I sang the sacred Vedic hymns. |
| Kaala kaalam naanunai | Through endless time, I... |
| Thedinaen devadeva thamarai paathamey | Searched for your lotus feet, O God of Gods. |
| Male | |
| Kaadhil nan ketathu venu ganaamrudham | In my ears, I heard the nectar of flute music. |
| Kannil naan kandadhu kannan birundhaavanam | Before my eyes, I saw Lord Krishna's Brindavan. |
| Maayanae neyanae maasiladha thoyanae | O Master of Illusion, beloved one, untainted savior! |
| Aathma nyanam adaintha pinnum…. | Even after attaining self-knowledge... |
| Thedinen devadeva thamarai paathamey | I searched for your lotus feet, O God of Gods. |
| Male | |
| Guruvae saranam guruvae saranam | Refuge in the Guru, refuge in the Guru. |
| Guruvae saranam guruvae saranam | Refuge in the Guru, refuge in the Guru. |
| Raghavendra sri raghavendra | Raghavendra, Sri Raghavendra. |
| Chorus | |
| Raghavendra sri raghavendra | Raghavendra, Sri Raghavendra. |
| Raghavendra raghavendra | Raghavendra, Raghavendra. |
| Raghavendra raghavendra | Raghavendra, Raghavendra. |
| Guruvae saranam guruvae saranam | Refuge in the Guru, refuge in the Guru. |
| Guruvae saranam guruvae saranam | Refuge in the Guru, refuge in the Guru. |
| Male | |
| Nyana thirumeni kaana vara vendume…. | I must come to behold your divine form of wisdom. |
| Seethap poovannam paatham thozha vendume….. | I must worship your cool, flower-soft feet. |
| Bakthan varumpothu paathai thadaiyaanathaen | Why did the path become obstructed when the devotee arrived? |
| Kaatu peruvellam aatril uruvaanathaen | Why did a massive wild flood form in the river? |
| Male | |
| Thaayaagi thaiyai seiyum deva | O Lord who acts like a loving mother, |
| Thadai neenga arul seiya va va | Come and bestow grace so that all obstacles are removed! |
| Naan seitha paavam yaar theerkka koodum | Who can relieve the sins I have committed? |
| Nee vaazhum idam vandhu naan sera vendum | I must reach and enter the holy place where you reside. |
| Male | |
| Guruvae saranam guruvae saranam | Refuge in the Guru, refuge in the Guru. |
| Chorus | |
| Raghavendra raghavendra raghava | Raghavendra, Raghavendra, Raghava. |
| Ragavendra aghavendra raghava | Raghavendra, Raghavendra, Raghava. |
| Guru raghavendra raghava | Guru Raghavendra, Raghava. |
| Guru raghavendra raghava | Guru Raghavendra, Raghava. |
| Guru raghavendra raghava | Guru Raghavendra, Raghava. |
| Guru ragavendra raghava | Guru Raghavendra, Raghava. |
| Chorus | |
| Guru ragavendra ragava | Guru Raghavendra, Raghava. |
| Guru ragavendra ragava | Guru Raghavendra, Raghava. |
| Guru ragavendra ragavendra | Guru Raghavendra, Raghavendra. |
| Guru ragavendra ragavendra | Guru Raghavendra, Raghavendra. |
| Guru ragavendra ragavendra | Guru Raghavendra, Raghavendra. |
| Ragavendra ragavendra | Raghavendra, Raghavendra. |
| Male | |
| Poojyaaya ragavendraaya sathyadharma radhaayasa | To the worshipful Raghavendra, who abides in truth and righteousness. |
அழைக்கிறான் மாதவன்
ஆநிரை மேய்த்தவன்
மணிமுடியும் மயில் இறகும்
எதிர் வரவும் துதி புரிந்தேன்
மாதவா கேசவா ஸ்ரீதரா ஓம்
Madhava is calling out to me.
The one who grazed the herd of cows.
Wearing a jeweled crown and a peacock feather,
As he appeared before me, I offered my praise.
O Madhava, Kesava, Sridhara, Om!
தேடினேன் தேவதேவா தாமரைப் பாதமே
வாடினேன் வாசுதேவா வந்தது நேரமே
ஞான வாசல் நாடினேன்
வேத கானம் பாடினேன்
கால காலம் நானுனை
தேடினேன் தேவதேவா தாமரைப் பாதமே
I searched for your lotus feet, O God of Gods.
I bowed down, Vasudeva, the right time has arrived.
I sought the doorway of spiritual wisdom.
I sang the sacred Vedic hymns.
Through endless time, I...
Searched for your lotus feet, O God of Gods.
காதில் நான் கேட்டது வேணு கானாம்ருதம்
கண்ணில் நான் கண்டது கண்ணன் பிருந்தாவனம்
மாயனே நேயனே மாசில்லாத தூயனே
ஆத்ம ஞானம் அடைந்த பின்னும்......
தேடினேன் தேவதேவா தாமரைப் பாதமே
In my ears, I heard the nectar of flute music.
Before my eyes, I saw Lord Krishna's Brindavan.
O Master of Illusion, beloved one, untainted savior!
Even after attaining self-knowledge...
I searched for your lotus feet, O God of Gods.
குருவே சரணம் குருவே சரணம்
குருவே சரணம் குருவே சரணம்
ராகவேந்திரா ஸ்ரீராகவேந்திரா
Refuge in the Guru, refuge in the Guru.
Refuge in the Guru, refuge in the Guru.
Raghavendra, Sri Raghavendra.
ராகவேந்திரா ஸ்ரீராகவேந்திரா
ராகவேந்திரா ராகவேந்திரா
ராகவேந்திரா ராகவேந்திரா
குருவே சரணம் குருவே சரணம்
குருவே சரணம் குருவே சரணம்
Raghavendra, Sri Raghavendra.
Raghavendra, Raghavendra.
Raghavendra, Raghavendra.
Refuge in the Guru, refuge in the Guru.
Refuge in the Guru, refuge in the Guru.
ஞானத் திருமேனி காண வர வேண்டுமே....
சீதப் பூவண்ணப் பாதம் தொழ வேண்டுமே.....
பக்தன் வரும்போது பாதைத் தடையானதேன்
காட்டுப் பெருவெள்ளம் ஆற்றில் உருவானதேன்
I must come to behold your divine form of wisdom.
I must worship your cool, flower-soft feet.
Why did the path become obstructed when the devotee arrived?
Why did a massive wild flood form in the river?
தாயாகித் தயை செய்யும் தேவா
தடை நீங்க அருள் செய்ய வா வா
நான் செய்த பாவம் யார் தீர்க்கக் கூடும்
நீ வாழும் இடம் வந்து நான் சேர வேண்டும்
O Lord who acts like a loving mother,
Come and bestow grace so that all obstacles are removed!
Who can relieve the sins I have committed?
I must reach and enter the holy place where you reside.
குருவே சரணம் குருவே சரணம்
Refuge in the Guru, refuge in the Guru.
ராகவேந்திர ராகவேந்திர ராகவா
ராகவேந்திர ராகவேந்திர ராகவா
குரு ராகவேந்திர ராகவா
குரு ராகவேந்திர ராகவா
குரு ராகவேந்திர ராகவா
குரு ராகவேந்திர ராகவா
Raghavendra, Raghavendra, Raghava.
Raghavendra, Raghavendra, Raghava.
Guru Raghavendra, Raghava.
Guru Raghavendra, Raghava.
Guru Raghavendra, Raghava.
Guru Raghavendra, Raghava.
குரு ராகவேந்திர ராகவேந்திர ராகவா
குரு ராகவேந்திர ராகவேந்திர ராகவா
குரு ராகவேந்திரா ராகவேந்திரா
குரு ராகவேந்திரா ராகவேந்திரா
குரு ராகவேந்திரா ராகவேந்திரா
ராகவேந்திரா ராகவேந்திரா
Guru Raghavendra, Raghava.
Guru Raghavendra, Raghava.
Guru Raghavendra, Raghavendra.
Guru Raghavendra, Raghavendra.
Guru Raghavendra, Raghavendra.
Raghavendra, Raghavendra.
பூஜ்யாய ராகவேந்த்ராய சத்யதர்ம ரதாயச
To the worshipful Raghavendra, who abides in truth and righteousness.
Azhaikiran madhavan
Madhava is calling out to me.
Aanirai meithavan
The one who grazed the herd of cows.
Manimudium mayil iragum
Wearing a jeweled crown and a peacock feather,
Ethir varavum thuthi purindhaen
As he appeared before me, I offered my praise.
Maadhava kesavaa sridharaa om
O Madhava, Kesava, Sridhara, Om!
Thedinen devadeva thamarai paathamey
I searched for your lotus feet, O God of Gods.
Vadineen vasudeva vandhadhu neramey
I bowed down, Vasudeva, the right time has arrived.
Nyana vaasal naadinaen
I sought the doorway of spiritual wisdom.
Vedha gaanam paadinaen
I sang the sacred Vedic hymns.
Kaala kaalam naanunai
Through endless time, I...
Thedinaen devadeva thamarai paathamey
Searched for your lotus feet, O God of Gods.
Kaadhil nan ketathu venu ganaamrudham
In my ears, I heard the nectar of flute music.
Kannil naan kandadhu kannan birundhaavanam
Before my eyes, I saw Lord Krishna's Brindavan.
Maayanae neyanae maasiladha thoyanae
O Master of Illusion, beloved one, untainted savior!
Aathma nyanam adaintha pinnum….
Even after attaining self-knowledge...
Thedinen devadeva thamarai paathamey
I searched for your lotus feet, O God of Gods.
Guruvae saranam guruvae saranam
Refuge in the Guru, refuge in the Guru.
Guruvae saranam guruvae saranam
Refuge in the Guru, refuge in the Guru.
Raghavendra sri raghavendra
Raghavendra, Sri Raghavendra.
Raghavendra sri raghavendra
Raghavendra, Sri Raghavendra.
Raghavendra raghavendra
Raghavendra, Raghavendra.
Raghavendra raghavendra
Raghavendra, Raghavendra.
Guruvae saranam guruvae saranam
Refuge in the Guru, refuge in the Guru.
Guruvae saranam guruvae saranam
Refuge in the Guru, refuge in the Guru.
Nyana thirumeni kaana vara vendume….
I must come to behold your divine form of wisdom.
Seethap poovannam paatham thozha vendume…..
I must worship your cool, flower-soft feet.
Bakthan varumpothu paathai thadaiyaanathaen
Why did the path become obstructed when the devotee arrived?
Kaatu peruvellam aatril uruvaanathaen
Why did a massive wild flood form in the river?
Thaayaagi thaiyai seiyum deva
O Lord who acts like a loving mother,
Thadai neenga arul seiya va va
Come and bestow grace so that all obstacles are removed!
Naan seitha paavam yaar theerkka koodum
Who can relieve the sins I have committed?
Nee vaazhum idam vandhu naan sera vendum
I must reach and enter the holy place where you reside.
Guruvae saranam guruvae saranam
Refuge in the Guru, refuge in the Guru.
Raghavendra raghavendra raghava
Raghavendra, Raghavendra, Raghava.
Ragavendra aghavendra raghava
Raghavendra, Raghavendra, Raghava.
Guru raghavendra raghava
Guru Raghavendra, Raghava.
Guru raghavendra raghava
Guru Raghavendra, Raghava.
Guru raghavendra raghava
Guru Raghavendra, Raghava.
Guru ragavendra raghava
Guru Raghavendra, Raghava.
Guru ragavendra ragava
Guru Raghavendra, Raghava.
Guru ragavendra ragava
Guru Raghavendra, Raghava.
Guru ragavendra ragavendra
Guru Raghavendra, Raghavendra.
Guru ragavendra ragavendra
Guru Raghavendra, Raghavendra.
Guru ragavendra ragavendra
Guru Raghavendra, Raghavendra.
Ragavendra ragavendra
Raghavendra, Raghavendra.
Poojyaaya ragavendraaya sathyadharma radhaayasa
To the worshipful Raghavendra, who abides in truth and righteousness.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Azhaikiran Madhavan is a deeply spiritual composition from the biographical film Sri Raghavendrar (1985). The song illustrates the soul's journey of devotion, transitioning from a vision of Lord Krishna to absolute surrender at the feet of Guru Sri Raghavendra Swami. It depicts a devotee experiencing divine auditory and visual epiphanies—hearing Krishna's flute and beholding Brindavan—yet realizing that even after attaining intellectual self-realization, the heart yearns for complete surrender to the Guru.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Tamil Second-letter Rhyme)
“Nyana vaasal naadinaen / Vedha gaanam paadinaen”
The second consonant sound 'daa' matches in 'naadinaen' and 'paadinaen', creating a classic Tamil rhythmic flow.
Sensory Imagery & Metaphor
“Kaadhil nan ketathu venu ganaamrudham / Kannil naan kandadhu kannan birundhaavanam”
Combines auditory imagery ('venu ganaamrudham' - flute nectar) and visual imagery ('kannan birundhaavanam') to convey mystical divine experiences.
Anaphora & Chanting Cadence
“Guruvae saranam guruvae saranam”
Repeated invocation of 'Guruvae saranam' emphasizes absolute surrender (Saranagathi) and builds a meditative mood.
Did you know?
Trivia
This song features in Rajinikanth's 100th landmark film, Sri Raghavendrar (1985), in which he portrayed the 17th-century Hindu saint Sri Raghavendra Swami. The music was composed by Ilaiyaraaja, blending traditional devotional motifs with classical Carnatic sensibilities, rendered by K. J. Yesudas.
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