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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Devaralan Aattam

From Ponniyin Selvan – Part 1 · 2022

Lyricist
Ilango Krishnan
Singer
Yogi Sekar
Music director
A. R. Rahman
Details
Ponniyin Selvan – Part 12022

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Senkurudhi seiyonaeO Lord as red as deep crimson blood!
Vankodiya velonaeO Bearer of the mighty spear on your banner!
Chevalari tholanaeO Companion with the rooster banner!
En kudiya kapponaeO Divine protector of my clan and lineage!
Male
Kadampa idumpa murugaO Murugan who wears Kadamba flowers and subdued Idumban!
Kathirvel kumara maruthaO Kumara, warrior with the radiant spear!
Thudivel arasarkarasaeO King of kings bearing the triumphant spear!
Vadivel arulvaai malarvaaiShower your grace with your sharp spear and blossom before us!
Male
Mamazhai peidhidumaWill the great rains pour down heavily?
Manilam ongidumaWill this vast earth flourish and prosper?
Oppukazhi thangidumaWill peerless glory abide with us?
Kaigalum ongidumaWill our hands rise in triumphant strength?
Male
Mamazhai peidhidumaWill the great rains pour down heavily?
Manilam ongidumaWill this vast earth flourish and prosper?
Oppukazhi thangidumaWill peerless glory abide with us?
Kaigalum ongidumaWill our hands rise in triumphant strength?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This invocation from Ponniyin Selvan 1 is an ancient ritualistic chant offered to Lord Murugan (also known as Seyon), the deity of war, youth, and victory. The lyricist praises the divine attributes of Murugan—his crimson complexion, his radiant spear (Kathirvel), his victory over Idumban, and his role as the supreme protector of the clan.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Senkurudhi seiyonae / Vankodiya velonae

Matching second consonants across lines, such as 'n' in 'Senkurudhi', 'Vankodiya', and 'En kudiya'.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Senkurudhi seiyonae / Vankodiya velonae

Repeating identical ending syllables (-onae, -uma) across poetic lines for chant-like rhythm.

Moonaikku (Initial Alliteration)

Kathirvel kumara marutha

Repetition of initial consonant sounds like 'K' in 'Kathirvel kumara'.

Anaphora / Refrain

Mamazhai peidhiduma / Manilam ongiduma

Exact repetition of lines 9-12 in lines 13-16 to build ritualistic intensity.

Did you know?

Trivia

Lyricist Ilango Krishnan utilized archaic Sangam Tamil terminology ('Seiyon', 'Kadampa', 'Oppukazhi') to accurately recreate the 10th-century Chola-era shamanistic and devotional rituals dedicated to Murugan and Kotravai.

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