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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Dharmaseela Kalaivanar

From Kalaivanan · 1959

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
Seerkazhi Govindarajan
Music director
Pendyala Nageswara Rao
Details
Kalaivanan1959

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics↻ English translation
Male
DharmaseelaO Virtuous One!
Dharmaseela kalaivaanarukkullaeAmong the righteous patrons of art,
Dharmaseela kalaivaanarukkullaeAmong the righteous patrons of art,
Naanum oruvan andro…..aaa..aaa..aa…Am I not one as well? Ah...
Aaa..aaa..aa…aaa..aaa..aa…aaa..aaa..aa…Ah...
Aaaa..aaa..aa…aaa..aaa..aa…aaa..aaa..aa…Ah...
Dharmaseela kalaivaanarukkullaeAmong the righteous patrons of art,
Naanum oruvan andro..Am I not one as well?
Male
Aalum arasae unadharul vizhipaarvaiO Ruling King, why is your gracious look
Ezhai medhu yen illai idhu velaiNot cast upon this poor person at this time?
Aalum arasae unadharul vizhipaarvaiO Ruling King, why is your gracious look
Ezhai medhu yen illai idhu velaiNot cast upon this poor person at this time?
Aalum arasaeO Ruling King!
Male
Undhan meedhu paamalaiyum soodiAdorning you with a garland of verses,
Undhan meedhu paamalaiyum soodiAdorning you with a garland of verses,
Undhan meedhu paamalaiyum soodiAdorning you with a garland of verses,
Anbu roobam tharum bodhaiyai naadiSeeking the divine bliss offered by the personification of love,
Undhan meedhu pa dha pa ma ga ri saUpon you... Pa Dha Pa Ma Ga Ri Sa...
Undhan meedhu …Upon you...
Carnatic :……………………….[Carnatic musical vocalization]
Undhan meedhu …Upon you...
Carnatic :……………………….[Carnatic musical vocalization]
Male
Undhan meedhu paamalaiyum soodiAdorning you with a garland of verses,
Anbu roobam tharum bodhaiyai naadiSeeking the divine bliss offered by the personification of love,
Inbamaana oli nana peravaeTo receive and be drenched in the blissful divine light,
Haa…aaa..aa…aaa..aaa..aa…aaa..aaa..aa…Ah...
Aaaa..aaa..aa…aaa..aaa..aa…aaa..aaa..aa…Ah...
Inbamaana oli nana peravaeTo receive and be drenched in the blissful divine light,
Nee endhan meedhu thayai seivaai swaamiyaePlease shower your mercy upon me, O Lord!
Male
Aalum arasae unadharul vizhipaarvaiO Ruling King, why is your gracious look
Ezhai medhu yen illai idhu velaiNot cast upon this poor person at this time?
Aalum arasaeO Ruling King!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classical song from Kalaivanan (1959) is a soulful plea by a devoted artist addressing a benevolent king or divine lord. The singer asks if he too does not belong to the esteemed realm of artists and scholars who deserve patronship and compassion. He offers a floral garland of poetic verses ('Paamalai') crafted out of pure devotion, seeking spiritual bliss and divine grace. Through elaborate Carnatic swara passages and emotional appeal, the vocalist implores the ruler to cast a merciful glance upon his humble existence and relieve his sorrow. The song beautifully blends classical musical prowess with deeply emotional lyrical pleading written by A. Maruthakasi.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagham)

“Undhan meedhu paamalaiyum soodi”

'Paamalai' literally means a garland made of poems/verses, metaphorically offering poetic praise as a sacred floral offering.

Rhyme / Monai (Initial Alliteration)

“Aalum arasae unadharul vizhipaarvai”

Repetition of starting phonetic sounds in 'Aalum' and 'Ezhai' (or 'Anbu' and 'Inbamaana') creating rhythmic alignment across lines.

Anaphora (Repetition for Emphasis)

“Dharmaseela kalaivaanarukkullae”

Repeated invocation of 'Dharmaseela kalaivaanarukkullae' and 'Aalum arasae' to intensify the devotional plea.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Kalaivanan' (1959) is a notable musical film starring Akkineni Nageswara Rao (ANR) and Anjali Devi. The music composed by Pendyala Nageswara Rao features intricate Carnatic classical compositions, and this song in particular highlights the classical vocal range and expressive prowess of legendary singer Seerkazhi Govindarajan.

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