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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
Movie name
Meera (1945) Film
Movie release year
1945
Lyrics added on
28 Jun 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Charaacharam unnai yaavum
Thaedumae
Charaacharam unnai yaavum thaedumae
Maraigalum maghizhndhunnai paadumae
Hae prabho…oooo
Niraasaiyaal naindha en nenjamum
Paraavum un paadhaara vindhamae
Unnaiyae enadhuyir thunai endru
Uvandhadhen thavaro aiyaa…aa…aaa…aa
Unnaiyae enadhuyir thunai endru
Uvandhadhen thavaro aiyaa
Kanavilum unnaiyandri ninaivundo
Gadhi un kazhalin nizhalae andro
Vaanagam vaiyagam tharum inbangalai
Vaanagam vaiyagam tharum inbangalai
Karudhiyadhum undo
Iranguva dharindhilaiyaa…
Marandhidal aagaadhaiyaa
Iravellaam kannil neeraruvi perugum
Iravellaam kannil neeraruvi perugum
Analil mezhughena agamum urugum
Haree haree yena naavum kadharum
Haree haree yena naavum kadharum
Idhayamum padharum aiyaa
Paadha malaril padindhidum vandaai
Naadhanae un isai paaduven kandaai
Paadha malaril padindhidum vandaai
Naadhanae un isai paaduven kandaai
Naadhanae un isai paaduven kandaai
Adiyaal meeraa andrum indrum un
Adiyaal meeraa andrum indrum un
Adaikkalam aiyaa….aaa… adaikkalam aiyaa
………………………….
All beings across the entire universe
search for you.
All of creation searches for you,
and the sacred Vedas joyfully sing your praise.
O Lord!
My heart, worn out by despair,
worships only your lotus feet.
Believing you alone to be my soul's companion,
was it my mistake to love you so dearly, my Lord?
Believing you alone to be my soul's companion,
was it my mistake to love you so dearly, my Lord?
Even in my dreams, do I ever think of anyone but you?
Isn't the shelter of your holy feet my only refuge?
All the pleasures that heaven and earth can offer,
all the pleasures that heaven and earth can offer—
have I ever even desired them?
Do you not know to take pity on me?
You must not forsake me, my Lord.
All night long, tears stream from my eyes,
all night long, tears stream from my eyes,
and my heart melts like wax in the flame.
My tongue desperately cries out, "Hari! Hari!"
My tongue desperately cries out, "Hari! Hari!"
and my heart trembles in anguish, my Lord.
Like a bee resting upon the flower of your feet,
O Lord, look, I shall sing your praise!
Like a bee resting upon the flower of your feet,
O Lord, look, I shall sing your praise!
O Lord, look, I shall sing your praise!
Your humble servant Meera, then and now,
your humble servant Meera, then and now,
seeks refuge in you, my Lord... refuge in you!
...
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Chorus

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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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