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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Bale Bale

From Mayabazar · 1957

Lyricist
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
Singer
Seerkazhi Govindarajan
Music director
Ghantasala
Details
Mayabazar1957

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Balae balae devaa…aaa…aa…Bravo, bravo, Oh Divine Lord!
Paaror ariyaar un maayaThe people of this world do not understand your cosmic illusion.
Balae balae devaa…aaa…aa…Bravo, bravo, Oh Divine Lord!
Paaror ariyaar un maayaThe people of this world do not understand your cosmic illusion.
Indha paaror ariyaar un maayaThe people of this world do not understand your cosmic illusion.
Male
Oruvarin sogam oruvarin yogamOne person's sorrow is another person's good fortune,
Sarvamum unarndhidumThough knowing everything,
Unakku vinodhamIt is merely an amusement to you.
Adiyaar yaaro ariyaar yaaro…..Who is your devotee, and who is a stranger?
Adiyaar yaaro ariyaar yaaro…..Who is your devotee, and who is a stranger?
Adhaiyae vidhiyum ariyadhaiyaaEven destiny itself cannot comprehend that, Oh Lord!
Paaror ariyaar un maayaThe people of this world do not understand your cosmic illusion.
Male
Ulaginil sugadhukka oonjalilaeOn the swing of pleasure and pain in this world,
Dhinam unadhu maayai vilaiyaaduthaiyaaYour illusion plays every single day, Oh Lord!
Unmaiyil undhan maaya leelaiyaeIn truth, it is your cosmic divine game.
Unmaiyil undhan maaya leelaiyaeIn truth, it is your cosmic divine game.
Unardhavan dhaanae thanyanaiyaaOnly the one who realizes this truth becomes truly blessed.
Paaror ariyaar un maayaThe people of this world do not understand your cosmic illusion.
Male
Balae balae devaa…aaa…aa…Bravo, bravo, Oh Divine Lord!
Paaror ariyaar un maayaThe people of this world do not understand your cosmic illusion.
Indha paaror ariyaar un maayaThe people of this world do not understand your cosmic illusion.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from Mayabazar celebrates the divine playfulness and ultimate illusion (Maya) of Lord Krishna. It portrays life as a swing swaying between joy and sorrow, pointing out that what brings grief to one brings fortune to another. The lyrics emphasize that human logic and even destiny fail to decode God's divine actions, and true peace belongs only to those who recognize the transcendent nature of Krishna's cosmic sport.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Antithesis and Rhyme (Iyaibu)

Oruvarin sogam oruvarin yogam

Pairs opposing concepts 'sogam' (sorrow) and 'yogam' (fortune) with rhyming endings to emphasize dualities of life.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Ulaginil sugadhukka oonjalilae

Compares human life filled with happiness and sorrow to a swinging motion ('oonjal').

Repetition (Adukkuthodar)

Balae balae devaa…aaa…aa…

Repeats 'Balae balae' to express joyous praise and adoration toward the Almighty.

Initial Rhyme (Edhugai)

Unmaiyil undhan maaya leelaiyae / Unardhavan dhaanae thanyanaiyaa

Matches the second letter in consecutive lines 'Unmaiyil' and 'Unardhavan' for rhythmic harmony.

Did you know?

Trivia

Mayabazar (1957) is widely considered one of the greatest classics of Indian epic fantasy cinema. Composed by Ghantasala with lyrics by Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass in Tamil, this song highlights the overarching philosophical theme of Krishna's divine intervention in the Mahabharata tale.

Keep listening

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