- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Movie name
- Devi Dharisanam
- Movie release year
- 1980
- Lyrics added on
- 17 Jun 2023
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This song is a grand cosmic hymn dedicated to Goddess Shakti, portraying her as the divine architect and source of all creation. Lyricist Kannadasan poetically describes how elemental forces and celestial bodies originate from the physical movements and expressions of the Goddess. Her glance creates the sun and moon, her swaying dark hair forms rain clouds, her breath gives rise to life-giving air, and the sway of her hands births human existence and all living beings. In the concluding verses, the lyricist emphasizes the spiritual potency of 'Devi Dharisanam' (beholding the Goddess), declaring that catching a sight of the divine mother nurtures the inner soul, absolves all karmic sins, offers eternal protection, and enables one to transcend time itself.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Cosmic Imagery & Metaphor
“Deviyin kann konam thiranthaada asainthaada / Thigazhnthidum kadhiravanin oliyangu uruvaaga”
The entire song uses cosmic imagery, linking the physical gestures of Goddess Shakti to grand natural phenomena (sun light from her eyes, rain clouds from her tresses, winds from her breath).
Onomatopoeia (Erattai Kilavi / Rhythm)
“Kaarkuzhal nalinangal kalakala endraada”
Words like 'kalakala' and 'thagathimi' imitate the physical sound of swaying hair and dancing earrings, adding rhythmic vitality.
Anaphora (Refrain / Monorhyme)
“Aavi valarppathu devi tharisanam / Paavam thavirppathu devi tharisanam”
The phrase 'devi tharisanam' is repeated at the end of consecutive lines, reinforcing the central spiritual theme.
Iyaibu (Tamil End Rhyme)
“Sakthiyin kundalangal thagathimi endraada / Thangu kadal nadhigal malaigal ezhunthaadaa”
Lines consistently end with rhyming verbal participles like 'endraada', 'ezhunthaada', 'asainthaada', creating a uniform rhythmic cadence.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed by M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics by Kannadasan, this devotional song demonstrates SPB's versatile vocal range in traditional classical-based cinematic hymns. The lyrics heavily draw from ancient Shakta theology and Lalitha Sahasranamam themes, where the Goddess's bodily movements catalyze cosmic creation.
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