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Lyrics & meaning

Devi Manampole Sevai

From Rathinapuri Ilavarasi · 1960

Lyricist
Pattukkottai Kalyanasundram
Singer
K. Jamunarani
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Details
Rathinapuri Ilavarasi1960

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Devi manam polaeLike the divine heart of the Goddess,
Sevai purinthaalaeIf selfless service is rendered,
Thevai niraiverumAll human needs will be fulfilled.
Devi manam polaeLike the divine heart of the Goddess,
Sevai purinthaalaeIf selfless service is rendered,
Thevai niraiverumAll human needs will be fulfilled.
Paava vinai theerumThe burdens of past sins will be cleansed.
Female
Yoga nilaiyaalaeThrough the steadfast state of yoga,
Deva mozhiyaalaeThrough the sacred divine speech,
Maaya vzhi kaanumNavigating through the paths of illusion,
Gyaana marulvaayeMay you bestow the light of true wisdom!
Yoga nilaiyaalaeThrough the steadfast state of yoga,
Deva mozhiyaalaeThrough the sacred divine speech,
Maaya vzhi kaanumNavigating through the paths of illusion,
Gyaana marulvaayeMay you bestow the light of true wisdom!
Female
Devi manam polaeLike the divine heart of the Goddess,
Sevai purinthaalaeIf selfless service is rendered,
Thevai niraiverumAll human needs will be fulfilled.
Paava vinai theerumThe burdens of past sins will be cleansed.
Female
Vaanil ulavum vanna nilavumEven the colorful moon wandering in the sky,
Naanam kollum nangaiyaalIs humbled in shyness by this graceful maiden,
Aadal vinidh aanandha geethaWith pleasant dance and joyful singing,
Paadam sollum mangaiyaalShe is the maiden who imparts divine lessons.
Female
Azhagu varum neramWhen true beauty dawns,
Annai adhigaaramIt comes with the mother's supreme authority,
Muluthum aval baaramThe entire responsibility rests on her,
Mogam veguthooramWorldly desires are cast far away.
Female
Azhagu varum neramWhen true beauty dawns,
Annai adhigaaramIt comes with the mother's supreme authority,
Muluthum aval baaramThe entire responsibility rests on her,
Mogam veguthooramWorldly desires are cast far away.
Female
Devi manam polaeLike the divine heart of the Goddess,
Sevai purinthaalaeIf selfless service is rendered,
Thevai niraiverumAll human needs will be fulfilled.
Paava vinai theerumThe burdens of past sins will be cleansed.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Devi Manam Polae from Rathinapuri Ilavarasi (1960) is a devotional and philosophical song centered on devotion to the divine Goddess and the elevated status of womanhood. The lyrics convey that performing service according to the divine will grants spiritual fulfillment, cleanses past sins, and grants freedom from worldly illusions (Maya) through the attainment of divine wisdom (Gyaana).

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Rhyme (Emoni/Etai)

Devi manam polae / Sevai purinthaalae / Thevai niraiverum

The words Devi, Sevai, and Thevai establish a harmonious rhyming structure across consecutive lines.

End Rhyme (Iyaibu)

Yoga nilaiyaalae / Deva mozhiyaalae

The lines end with the rhyming suffix -alae, creating a melodic, chant-like rhythm.

Personification

Vaanil ulavum vanna nilavum / Naanam kollum nangaiyaal

The moon in the sky is personified as feeling shy and humbled in comparison to the beauty and grace of the maiden.

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Trivia

Composed by the renowned Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy duo and rendered by K. Jamunarani, this song features lyrics by Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram. While Kalyanasundaram was primarily famous for his socialist and reformist poetry, this song demonstrates his skill in writing deeply spiritual and classical Tamil lyricism.

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