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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Dhayavillaiyo En Kurai

From Chandraharam · 1954

Lyricist
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
Singer
P. Leela
Music director
Ghantasala
Details
Chandraharam1954

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Thayavillaiyo en kurai kelaayoHave you no mercy? Will you not hear my plea?
Thayavillaiyo en kurai kelaayoHave you no mercy? Will you not hear my plea?
Thayaapuri allavo maathaaAre you not the embodiment of compassion, Oh Mother?
Female
Thayavillaiyo en kurai kelaayoHave you no mercy? Will you not hear my plea?
Female
Entha thuyarthaninum yaar ninaiththaalumWhosoever thinks of you in whatever sorrow,
Entha aabaththilum yaar azhaiththaalumWhosoever calls upon you in whatever danger,
Entha thuyarthaninum yaar ninaiththaalumWhosoever thinks of you in whatever sorrow,
Entha aabaththilum yaar azhaiththaalumWhosoever calls upon you in whatever danger,
Abayathaana selvi neeyae maathaaYou are the lady who grants refuge, Oh Mother!
Abayathaana selvi neeyae maathaaYou are the lady who grants refuge, Oh Mother!
Female
Thayavillaiyo en kurai kelaayoHave you no mercy? Will you not hear my plea?
Thayaapuri allavo maathaaAre you not the embodiment of compassion, Oh Mother?
Female
Thayavillaiyo en kurai kelaayoHave you no mercy? Will you not hear my plea?
Female
Pathitharai baapiyai paamara maantharaiThe fallen, the sinners, the ignorant human beings,
Unai thuthiththidavae ariyaa piraaniyaiThe simple creatures who do not even know how to praise you,
Pathitharai baapiyai paamara maantharaiThe fallen, the sinners, the ignorant human beings,
Unai thuthiththidavae ariyaa piraaniyaiThe simple creatures who do not even know how to praise you,
Female
Kaaththu arul puriyum yae jegan maathaaOh Mother of the World who protects and bestows grace upon them,
Kaaththu arul puriyum yae jegan maathaaOh Mother of the World who protects and bestows grace upon them,
Thayavillaiyo en kurai kelaayoHave you no mercy? Will you not hear my plea?
Female
Thayavillaiyo en kurai kelaayoHave you no mercy? Will you not hear my plea?
Thayaapuri allavo maathaaAre you not the embodiment of compassion, Oh Mother?
Female
Thayavillaiyo en kurai kelaayoHave you no mercy? Will you not hear my plea?
Kurai kelaayo kurai kelaayoWill you not hear my plea? Will you not hear my plea?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Thayavillaiyo En Kurai Kelaayo is a deeply soulful devotional prayer from the 1954 film Chandraharam. Rendered exquisitely by P. Leela, the song captures a devotee's heartfelt plea to the Divine Mother, asking if she lacks mercy to hear a child's suffering. The lyricist Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass emphasizes that the Goddess is the ultimate embodiment of compassion (Thayaapuri) and refuge (Abayathaana Selvi). The hymn highlights the Mother's unconditional grace, noting that she protects everyone—whether they are sinners, ignorant common folk, or beings who lack the refined ability to chant formal prayers. It is a timeless expression of total surrender and intense spiritual yearning.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Rhetorical Question

Thayavillaiyo en kurai kelaayo

The opening line uses rhetorical questioning ('Thayavillaiyo?', 'Kurai kelaayo?') to appeal to the Goddess's maternal empathy rather than expecting a literal answer.

Monaai (Initial Alliteration)

Pathitharai baapiyai paamara maantharai

The line features alliteration of 'P' sounds ('Pathitharai', 'baapiyai', 'paamara') creating a rhythmic, solemn cadence.

Ethukai (Anaphora & Parallelism)

Entha thuyarthaninum yaar ninaiththaalum

The repeated structure 'Entha... yaar...' creates poetic rhythm and emphasizes the universality of divine protection.

Epizeuxis (Repetition for Emphasis)

Kurai kelaayo kurai kelaayo

Immediate repetition of 'Kurai kelaayo' at the climax reinforces the urgency and intensity of the devotional plea.

Did you know?

Trivia

Chandraharam (1954) was a lavish fantasy film produced by Vijaya Vauhini Studios, made concurrently in Telugu and Tamil. The soundtrack composed by legendary singer-composer Ghantasala is revered for its classical depth, and P. Leela's emotive singing in 'Thayavillaiyo' remains one of the highlights of early South Indian cinema devotional songs.

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