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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ethanaiyo Piravi

From Arunagirinathar · 1964

Lyricist
T. K. Krishnasami
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Details
Arunagirinathar1964

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Madhi irundhum pizhai seidhaEven though I possessed intellect, I committed sins,
Male
Udan vandha thamakaikkumEven to my elder sister who was born alongside me,
Vasai thedi thandha paavi…ammaaa…I am a sinner who brought dishonor... oh mother...
Unadhanbum arivuraiyumRejecting your love and advice,
Udharivittu paaviyandro…paaviyandroAm I not a sinner... am I not a sinner?
Oorarum nagaithidavaeSo that the townsfolk would mock me,
Uttraarum nagaithaarae…ammaa….My own relatives laughed at me... oh mother...
Uruthunaiyaam manaiyaalumAnd even my supportive wife,
Nagaithaalae izhivandroLaughed at me—is that not a disgrace?
Male
Ethanaiyoo piravi pettruAll the evils that one could commit
Izhaithidum theemaiyellamAcross many lifetimes,
Ippiravi ondru pettruI have attained in this single birth
Athanaiyum mudithuvittenAnd completed them all!
Ethanaiyoo piravi pettruAll the evils that one could commit
Izhaithidum theemaiyellamAcross many lifetimes,
Ippiravi ondru pettruI have attained in this single birth
Athanaiyum mudithuvittenAnd completed them all!
Male
Enakkini piravi vendaamI do not desire any more births,
MurugaaOh Lord Muruga!
Enakkini piravi vendaamI do not desire any more births,
Iraivaa un arulaalOh God, by your grace,
Enakkini piravi vendaamI do not desire any more births,
Iraivaa un arulaalOh God, by your grace,
Enakkini inbam vendumI want bliss from now on,
Eenam ellam maraiya vendumAll my disgrace must fade away.
Enakkini inbam vendumI want bliss from now on,
Eenam ellam maraiya vendumAll my disgrace must fade away.
Male
Ethanaiyoo piravi pettruAll the evils that one could commit
Izhaithidum theemaiyellamAcross many lifetimes,
Ippiravi ondru pettruI have attained in this single birth
Athanaiyum mudithuvittenAnd completed them all!
Male
Muruga.. murugaa.. murugaaMuruga.. Murugaa.. Murugaa!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song captures the intense moment of remorse and spiritual epiphany experienced by Arunagirinathar before his transformation into a revered saint. Acknowledging his past debauchery and disrespect toward his family—especially his mother, sister, and wife—he expresses deep anguish over the shame and public mockery he brought upon them. Realizing the weight of his sins, which feel equal to lifetimes of evil condensed into a single birth, he surrenders completely to Lord Muruga, pleading for liberation from the cycle of rebirth and asking for divine grace to erase his disgrace and grant eternal bliss.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Ethanaiyoo piravi pettru / Izhaithidum theemaiyellam / Ippiravi ondru pettru / Athanaiyum mudithuvittenwave structural alliteration across stanza starters with matching vowel lengths and sounds (E, I, I, A).

Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Enakkini inbam vendum / Eenam ellam maraiya vendum

Anaphora (Repetition for Emphasis)

Enakkini piravi vendaam / Enakkini inbam vendum

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Trivia

This song is a pivotal emotional high point in the 1964 biographical Tamil film 'Arunagirinathar'. T.M. Soundararajan (TMS) not only sang the legendary devotional tracks composed by G. Ramanathan but also portrayed the title role of the 15th-century saint-poet Arunagirinathar on screen.

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