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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Devanukku Naan

From Sonthangal Vazhga · 1975

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Sonthangal Vazhga1975

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Naan adimai naan adimaiI am a servant, I am a servant
Devanukku naan adimaiI am a servant to the Lord
Azhagar malai devanukku naan adimaiI am a servant to the God of Azhagar mountain
Naan aninthirukkum maangalyam avan udamaiThe sacred mangalyam I wear belongs to Him
Naan aninthirukkum maangalyam avan udamaiThe sacred mangalyam I wear belongs to Him
Azhagar malai devanukku naan adimaiI am a servant to the God of Azhagar mountain
Female
Pazham perum panpaadu enathu nilaiAncient rich culture is my state of being
Uyar pan isai velaanmai enathu kalaiHigh musical culture and art are my profession
Pazham perum panpaadu enathu nilaiAncient rich culture is my state of being
Uyar pan isai velaanmai enathu kalaiHigh musical culture and art are my profession
Iraivanukku theriyum enathu vilaiGod alone knows my true value
Iraivanukku theriyum enathu vilaiGod alone knows my true value
Oli yaettravum kadamaiyaattravum piraraiTo light the lamp, fulfill duties, and comfort others
Thettravum amutha vadivaana silaiI am a statue carved out of sweet nectar
Female
Azhagar malai…..Azhagar mountain...
Azhagar malai devanukku naan adimai….I am a servant to the God of Azhagar mountain...
Female
Vana moongilin siru ilam tholgalilOn slender young shoulders like forest bamboo
Vadam pottu vilaiyaadum ezhil maanganiPlays a beautiful fruit tied with ropes
Vana moongilin siru ilam tholgalilOn slender young shoulders like forest bamboo
Vadam pottu vilaiyaadum ezhil maanganiPlays a beautiful fruit tied with ropes
Female
Suga mogini pirar suvaiyaa kaniA joyful enchantress, a fruit untasted by others
Mudhal suvai kaana kaninthirukkum kalaimaamaniA gem of art ripened to be tasted first by her lord
Suga mogini pirar suvaiyaa kaniA joyful enchantress, a fruit untasted by others
Mudhal suvai kaana kaninthirukkum kalaimaamaniA gem of art ripened to be tasted first by her lord
Female
Aadida mannavan ambalam yaeridumWhen the king dances and mounts the sacred hall
Naadaga mangaiyin nallisai naayaganHe is the lord of fine music for this theatrical lady
Female
Azhagar malai…..Azhagar mountain...
Azhagar malai devanukku naan adimai….I am a servant to the God of Azhagar mountain...
Naan aninthirukkum maangalyam avan udamaiThe sacred mangalyam I wear belongs to Him
Azhagar malai devanukku naan adimai….I am a servant to the God of Azhagar mountain...
Female
Oru vaasagam ival manivaasagamHer word is like precious gems of speech
Uravaada varuvorkku thiruvaasagamFor those who come to bond, she is like Thiruvasagam
Oru vaasagam ival manivaasagamHer word is like precious gems of speech
Uravaada varuvorkku thiruvaasagamFor those who come to bond, she is like Thiruvasagam
Female
Manimanthiram thalaiyanai manthiramShe is a precious mantra and a pillow secret
Thirumaalum ariyaatha thirumanthiramA sacred mantra unknown even to Lord Vishnu
Manimanthiram thalaiyanai manthiramShe is a precious mantra and a pillow secret
Thirumaalum ariyaatha thirumanthiramA sacred mantra unknown even to Lord Vishnu
Female
Maalavan mayavan maadhavan thooyavanHe is Vishnu, the mysterious, the divine, the pure one
Aalilai meedhinil aadidum ennavanHe is my lord who sways gently on the banyan leaf
Female
Azhagar malai…..Azhagar mountain...
Azhagar malai devanukku naan adimai….I am a servant to the God of Azhagar mountain...
Naan aninthirukkum maangalyam avan udamaiThe sacred mangalyam I wear belongs to Him
Azhagar malai devanukku naan adimai….I am a servant to the God of Azhagar mountain...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song expresses a woman's complete devotion, fidelity, and surrender to her husband, whom she reveres as the deity of Azhagar Mountain (Lord Vishnu). She describes her artistic talents, pure character, and traditional heritage as offerings to her divine partner, reinforcing that her life and sacred marital bond belong entirely to him.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Vana moongilin siru ilam tholgalil

Compares slender shoulders to soft forest bamboo (Vana moongil).

Alliteration (Monai)

Maalavan mayavan maadhavan thooyavan

Repetition of the 'Ma' sound in consecutive divine names describing Lord Vishnu.

Literary Allusion

Uravaada varuvorkku thiruvaasagam

References sacred Saivite/Vaishnavite devotional texts like Thiruvasagam to emphasize the spiritual depth of marital devotion.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by K. V. Mahadevan with lyrics by Kannadasan, this song subtly blends classical Tamil literary tropes and devotional iconography (referencing Lord Vishnu resting on a banyan leaf) into a movie soundtrack context.

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