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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Characharam Unnai Yaavum

From Meera (1945) Film · 1945

Lyricist
Parthi Bhaskar
Singer
M. S. Subbulakshmi
Music director
S. V. Venkatraman
Details
Meera (1945) Film1945

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Charaacharam unnai yaavumAll creation
ThaedumaeSearches for you
Charaacharam unnai yaavum thaedumaeAll creation searches for you
Maraigalum maghizhndhunnai paadumaeThe Vedas joyfully sing your praise
Hae prabho…ooooOh Lord...
Niraasaiyaal naindha en nenjamumMy heart, worn out by despair
Paraavum un paadhaara vindhamaeAlso worships your lotus feet
Female
Unnaiyae enadhuyir thunai endruBelieving you alone to be my life's companion
Uvandhadhen thavaro aiyaa…aa…aaa…aaIs it my mistake that I rejoiced, Oh Lord?
Unnaiyae enadhuyir thunai endruBelieving you alone to be my life's companion
Uvandhadhen thavaro aiyaaIs it my mistake that I rejoiced, Oh Lord?
Female
Kanavilum unnaiyandri ninaivundoEven in dreams, do I have thoughts of anyone but you?
Gadhi un kazhalin nizhalae androIsn't my sole refuge in the shadow of your feet?
Vaanagam vaiyagam tharum inbangalaiThe pleasures offered by heaven and earth
Vaanagam vaiyagam tharum inbangalaiThe pleasures offered by heaven and earth
Karudhiyadhum undoDid I ever desire or consider them?
Iranguva dharindhilaiyaa…Do you not know to show compassion?
Marandhidal aagaadhaiyaaForgetting me is unacceptable, Oh Lord
Female
Iravellaam kannil neeraruvi perugumAll night, a waterfall of tears flows from my eyes
Iravellaam kannil neeraruvi perugumAll night, a waterfall of tears flows from my eyes
Analil mezhughena agamum urugumLike wax placed in fire, my soul melts
Haree haree yena naavum kadharumCrying 'Hari, Hari', my tongue pleads
Haree haree yena naavum kadharumCrying 'Hari, Hari', my tongue pleads
Idhayamum padharum aiyaaAnd my heart trembles, Oh Lord
Female
Paadha malaril padindhidum vandaaiLike a honeybee resting at your lotus feet
Naadhanae un isai paaduven kandaaiOh Lord, see that I shall sing your melody
Paadha malaril padindhidum vandaaiLike a honeybee resting at your lotus feet
Naadhanae un isai paaduven kandaaiOh Lord, see that I shall sing your melody
Naadhanae un isai paaduven kandaaiOh Lord, see that I shall sing your melody
Adiyaal meeraa andrum indrum unYour servant Meera, yesterday and today
Adiyaal meeraa andrum indrum unYour servant Meera, yesterday and today
Adaikkalam aiyaa….aaa… adaikkalam aiyaaSurrenders unto your sanctuary, Oh Lord
Chorus
…………………………....

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This devotional piece from the movie Meera captures the intense longing and absolute surrender (Sharanagati) of Saint Meera to Lord Krishna (Hari). She expresses that all living beings and divine scriptures glorify the Almighty. Plunged into sorrow and detached from worldly or heavenly pleasures, her heart melts like wax in fire as she constantly chants his name and sheds tears throughout the night. Ultimately, she surrenders at His lotus feet, likening herself to a bee hovering at His divine feet, seeking eternal refuge.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamaani / Simile

Analil mezhughena agamum urugum

Compares the melting of the heart/soul in sorrow to wax melting in fire ('Analil mezhughena agamum urugum').

Metaphor / Rupaka

Paraavum un paadhaara vindhamae

Refers to the Lord's feet as lotus blossoms ('Paadhaara vindham' / 'Paadha malar').

Uvamaani / Simile

Paadha malaril padindhidum vandaai

Meera likens herself to a bee ('vandu') perching upon the divine lotus feet.

Hyperbole / Metaphor

Iravellaam kannil neeraruvi perugum

Describes flowing tears as a mountain waterfall/stream ('neeraruvi').

Did you know?

Trivia

Meera (1945) was a landmark musical film starring iconic Carnatic vocalist M. S. Subbulakshmi. The film's enormous national success led to a Hindi remake in 1947, introducing MS Subbulakshmi to pan-Indian audiences and earning praise from leaders like Sarojini Naidu and Mahatma Gandhi.

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