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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Enna Seidhaalum

From Irumbu Thirai – (1960) · 1960

Lyricist
Papanasam Sivan
Singer
Jayalakshmi
Music director
S. V. Venkatraman
Details
Irumbu Thirai – (1960)1960

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Enna seithaalum enthan thunai neeyaeWhatever you do, you are my only support.
Enna seithaalum enthan thunai neeyaeWhatever you do, you are my only support.
En annaiyae umaiyae ennai neeOh my Mother, Goddess Uma, as for me...
Enna seithaalum enthan thunai neeyaeWhatever you do, you are my only support.
Female
Chinna vayathu mudhal unnaiyae nambinaenSince my childhood, I have trusted only you.
Chinna vayathu mudhal unnaiyae nambinaenSince my childhood, I have trusted only you.
Sinanthennai adiththaalumEven if you strike me out of anger,
ParintheduththanaithathaalumOr affectionately take me in your arms and embrace me,
Female
Ini enna seithaalum enthan thunai neeyaeWhatever you do from now on, you are my only support.
En annaiyae umaiyae ennai neeOh my Mother, Goddess Uma, as for me...
Enna seithaalum enthan thunai neeyaeWhatever you do, you are my only support.
Female
Mun vinaiyaal inba thunbangal vilainthidaThough pleasure and sorrow arise from past karma,
Moodamathi kondunnai novathu en bedhamaiBlaming you foolishly with an ignorant mind is my foolishness.
Mun vinaiyaal inba thunbangal vilainthidaThough pleasure and sorrow arise from past karma,
Moodamathi kondunnai novathu en bedhamaiBlaming you foolishly with an ignorant mind is my foolishness.
Female
En vithiyaal…aa…aa…aa…By my fate... ah... ah... ah...
En vithiyaal idaraayiram soozhinumEven if a thousand troubles surround me due to my fate,
En vithiyaal idaraayiram soozhinumEven if a thousand troubles surround me due to my fate,
Ellaam un thiruvilaiyaadal endrenniConsidering all of it to be merely your divine play,
En vithiyaal idaraayiram soozhinumEven if a thousand troubles surround me due to my fate,
Ellaam un thiruvilaiyaadal endrenniConsidering all of it to be merely your divine play,
Female
Nee enna seithaalum enthan thunai neeyaeWhatever you do, you are my only support.
En annaiyae umaiyae ennai neeOh my Mother, Goddess Uma, as for me...
Enna seithaalum enthan thunai neeyaeWhatever you do, you are my only support.
En annaiyae….Oh my Mother...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a deeply devotional plea expressing total surrender (Sharanagati) to the Divine Mother, Goddess Uma. The singer declares that no matter what life brings, the Goddess remains her ultimate refuge and sole protector. Having trusted the Divine Mother since childhood, she acknowledges that divine discipline or affection are both forms of motherly love. The lyrics reflect philosophical depth by acknowledging that human happiness and suffering are the results of one's own past karma (Mun Vinai), and it is foolish to blame the Divine Mother for them. Even when fate brings a thousand hardships, the devotee views them as part of the Goddess's divine sport (Thiruvilaiyaadal) and remains steadfast in her absolute devotion.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaipu (Refrain / End Rhyme)

Enna seithaalum enthan thunai neeyae

The key refrain repeats throughout the song, emphasizing the central theme of complete reliance on Goddess Uma regardless of circumstance.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Mun vinaiyaal inba thunbangal vilainthida / Moodamathi kondunnai novathu en bedhamai

Repetition of the 'M' sound at the beginning of words ('Mun', 'Moodamathi') creates rhythmic harmony in the verse.

Contrast (Muran)

Sinanthennai adiththaalum / Parintheduththanaithathaalum

Contrasts divine scolding/striking in anger with loving embrace, showing that both extreme actions stem from motherly affection.

Metaphor (Thiruvilaiyaadal)

Ellaam un thiruvilaiyaadal endrenni

Describes life's vicissitudes and afflictions as the Divine Mother's sacred play (Thiruvilaiyaadal).

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Trivia

Written by the venerable Carnatic composer Papanasam Sivan, known as 'Tamil Tyagayya', this song showcases his signature style of blending classical devotional ragas with accessible Tamil poetry. Sung by Jayalakshmi for the 1960 Gemini Studios film 'Irumbu Thirai' (starring Sivaji Ganesan, Vyjayanthimala, and B. Saroja Devi), the music was scored by S. V. Venkatraman, who was famous for composing classical cinematic masterpieces such as 'Meera' (1945).

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