Ezhu Kadal Nayagiye
From Bairavi · 1978
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Bairavi1978
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Ezhu kadal naayagiyae | Oh Goddess of the seven seas! |
| Eswari dhevi | Goddess Eswari! |
| Ammaa eswari dhevi | Mother Eswari Devi! |
| Naanga eduthadhellaam | Whatever endeavors we undertake, |
| Nadathi vaippaai | Bless them to succeed! |
| Aayiram kan kaali | Oh thousand-eyed Kali! |
| Chorus | |
| Ezhu kadal naayagiyae | Oh Goddess of the seven seas! |
| Eswari dhevi | Goddess Eswari! |
| Ammaa eswari dhevi | Mother Eswari Devi! |
| Naanga eduthadhellaam | Whatever endeavors we undertake, |
| Nadathi vaippaai | Bless them to succeed! |
| Aayiram kan kaali | Oh thousand-eyed Kali! |
| Female | |
| Kannilae kanal vadithu | Shedding fiery fury from your eyes, |
| Mannilae kaaval nindru | Standing guard over this earth, |
| Chorus | |
| Kodumai kandu kumarum katti | A mother who grieves upon seeing cruelty, |
| Elimai kandu urugum katti | A mother who melts upon seeing poverty, |
| Female | |
| Anbu manadhai alli eduthaai | You embraced loving hearts with grace, |
| Asuran thalaiyai killi eduthaai | And plucked away the head of the demon! |
| Chorus | |
| Chithira kaali enga bathira kaali | Picturesque Kali, our protective Bhadrakali! |
| Chithira kaali enga bathira kaali | Picturesque Kali, our protective Bhadrakali! |
| Female | |
| Kaadu malai maedu kanda neeliyae | Oh Neeli who has seen forests, mountains, and hills! |
| Naanga kannukkullae yetri vaitha jothiyae | You are the divine flame we lit within our eyes! |
| Chorus | |
| Kaadu malai maedu kanda neeliyae | Oh Neeli who has seen forests, mountains, and hills! |
| Naanga kannukkullae yetri vaitha jothiyae | You are the divine flame we lit within our eyes! |
| Female | |
| Ambigaiyae enga nambikkaiyae | Oh Mother Ambigai, our ultimate faith! |
| Chorus | |
| Un sannadhikku naada vandha | The reason we came seeking your shrine, |
| Kaaranam enna | What is that reason? |
| Enga nimmadhiyai thaedi vandhom | We came seeking our peace of mind, |
| Vaeru vazhi enna | What other way is there for us? |
| Chorus | |
| Kaadu malai maedu kanda neeliyae | Oh Neeli who has seen forests, mountains, and hills! |
| Naanga kannukkullae yetri vaitha jothiyae | You are the divine flame we lit within our eyes! |
| Female | |
| Vaanam varai ongi nirkkum | Standing tall reaching up to the sky, |
| Manjal muga annaiyae | Oh turmeric-complexioned Mother! |
| Chorus | |
| Aarum varai paathu ingu | Waiting for the situation to calm down, |
| Andi vandhom unnaiyae | We came seeking refuge in you! |
| Female | |
| Aanavarai kettu vitten | I begged for justice as much as I could, |
| Needhiyum illae | Yet there was no justice to be found! |
| Nallaa pona varai poga vittu | Letting things pass as far as they could, |
| Pottu vittom mella | We have now quietly taken action! |
| Chorus | |
| Kaadu malai maedu kanda neeliyae | Oh Neeli who has seen forests, mountains, and hills! |
| Naanga kannukkullae yetri vaitha jothiyae | You are the divine flame we lit within our eyes! |
| Female | |
| Thirudanum om sakthi | Even a thief chants 'Om Shakti', |
| Sakthiyae endru thaan | Only uttering the name of 'Shakti', |
| Thiruneeru poosugindraan | And smears holy ash on his forehead! |
| Dharumathai nambiyae | Yet, believing in righteousness, |
| Dhinam thorum vaazhndhavan | The one who lived day after day, |
| Thaayunnai thaedi vandhaan | Has come seeking you, Mother! |
ஏழு கடல் நாயகியே
ஈஸ்வரி தேவி
அம்மா ஈஸ்வரி தேவி
நாங்க எடுத்ததெல்லாம்
நடத்தி வைப்பாய்
ஆயிரம் கண் காளி
Oh Goddess of the seven seas!
Goddess Eswari!
Mother Eswari Devi!
Whatever endeavors we undertake,
Bless them to succeed!
Oh thousand-eyed Kali!
ஏழு கடல் நாயகியே
ஈஸ்வரி தேவி
அம்மா ஈஸ்வரி தேவி
நாங்க எடுத்ததெல்லாம்
நடத்தி வைப்பாய்
ஆயிரம் கண் காளி
Oh Goddess of the seven seas!
Goddess Eswari!
Mother Eswari Devi!
Whatever endeavors we undertake,
Bless them to succeed!
Oh thousand-eyed Kali!
கண்ணிலே கனல் வடித்து
மண்ணிலே காவல் நின்று
Shedding fiery fury from your eyes,
Standing guard over this earth,
கொடுமை கண்டு குமுறும் சக்தி
எளிமை கண்டு உருகும் சக்தி
அன்பு மனதை அள்ளி எடுத்தாய்
அசுரர் தலையை கிள்ளி எடுத்தாய்
A mother who grieves upon seeing cruelty,
A mother who melts upon seeing poverty,
சித்திரக்காளி எங்க பத்திரக்காளி
சித்திரக்காளி எங்க பத்திரக்காளி
You embraced loving hearts with grace,
And plucked away the head of the demon!
பெண் மற்றும் குழு :
ஏழு கடல் நாயகியே
ஈஸ்வரி தேவி
அம்மா ஈஸ்வரி தேவி
நாங்க எடுத்ததெல்லாம்
நடத்தி வைப்பாய்
ஆயிரம் கண் காளி
Picturesque Kali, our protective Bhadrakali!
Picturesque Kali, our protective Bhadrakali!
காடுமலை மேடு கண்ட நீலியே
நாங்க கண்ணுக்குள்ளே ஏற்றி வைத்த ஜோதியே
Oh Neeli who has seen forests, mountains, and hills!
You are the divine flame we lit within our eyes!
காடுமலை மேடு கண்ட நீலியே
நாங்க கண்ணுக்குள்ளே ஏற்றி வைத்த ஜோதியே
Oh Neeli who has seen forests, mountains, and hills!
You are the divine flame we lit within our eyes!
அம்பிகையே எங்க நம்பிக்கையே
Oh Mother Ambigai, our ultimate faith!
உன் சன்னதிக்கு நாட வந்த
காரணம் என்ன
எங்க நிம்மதியைத் தேடி வந்தோம்
வேறு வழி என்ன
The reason we came seeking your shrine,
What is that reason?
We came seeking our peace of mind,
What other way is there for us?
காடுமலை மேடு கண்ட நீலியே
நாங்க கண்ணுக்குள்ளே ஏற்றி வைத்த ஜோதியே
Oh Neeli who has seen forests, mountains, and hills!
You are the divine flame we lit within our eyes!
வானம் வரை ஓங்கி நிற்கும்
மஞ்சள் முக அன்னையே
Standing tall reaching up to the sky,
Oh turmeric-complexioned Mother!
ஆறும் வரை பாத்து இங்கு
அண்டி வந்தோம் உன்னையே
Waiting for the situation to calm down,
We came seeking refuge in you!
ஆனவரை கேட்டு விட்டேன்
நீதியும் இல்லே
நல்லா போனவரை போகவிட்டு
போட்டு விட்டோம்
மெல்ல
I begged for justice as much as I could,
Yet there was no justice to be found!
Letting things pass as far as they could,
We have now quietly taken action!
காடுமலை மேடு கண்ட நீலியே
நாங்க கண்ணுக்குள்ளே ஏற்றி வைத்த ஜோதியே
Oh Neeli who has seen forests, mountains, and hills!
You are the divine flame we lit within our eyes!
திருடனும் ஓம் சக்தி
சக்தியே என்றுதான்
திருநீறு பூசுகின்றான்
தர்மத்தை நம்பியே
தினந்தோறும் வாழ்பவன்
தாயுன்னைத் தேடி வந்தான்
Even a thief chants 'Om Shakti',
Only uttering the name of 'Shakti',
And smears holy ash on his forehead!
Yet, believing in righteousness,
The one who lived day after day,
Has come seeking you, Mother!
அவன் பூஜை இவன் பூஜை
யார் பூஜை ஏற்கின்றாய்
ஆதாரம் சொல்லு தாயே
யார் பக்கம் நிற்கின்றாய்
யார் காவல் காக்கின்றாய்
பைரவி பேசு நீயே.....
{மாக்காளி பைரவி ஓம் சக்தி பைரவி
ஆதார பைரவி ஆனந்த பைரவி} (2)
பைரவி பைரவி பைரவி
பைரவி பைரவி
Ezhu kadal naayagiyae
Oh Goddess of the seven seas!
Eswari dhevi
Goddess Eswari!
Ammaa eswari dhevi
Mother Eswari Devi!
Naanga eduthadhellaam
Whatever endeavors we undertake,
Nadathi vaippaai
Bless them to succeed!
Aayiram kan kaali
Oh thousand-eyed Kali!
Ezhu kadal naayagiyae
Oh Goddess of the seven seas!
Eswari dhevi
Goddess Eswari!
Ammaa eswari dhevi
Mother Eswari Devi!
Naanga eduthadhellaam
Whatever endeavors we undertake,
Nadathi vaippaai
Bless them to succeed!
Aayiram kan kaali
Oh thousand-eyed Kali!
Kannilae kanal vadithu
Shedding fiery fury from your eyes,
Mannilae kaaval nindru
Standing guard over this earth,
Kodumai kandu kumarum katti
A mother who grieves upon seeing cruelty,
Elimai kandu urugum katti
A mother who melts upon seeing poverty,
Anbu manadhai alli eduthaai
You embraced loving hearts with grace,
Asuran thalaiyai killi eduthaai
And plucked away the head of the demon!
Chithira kaali enga bathira kaali
Picturesque Kali, our protective Bhadrakali!
Chithira kaali enga bathira kaali
Picturesque Kali, our protective Bhadrakali!
Kaadu malai maedu kanda neeliyae
Oh Neeli who has seen forests, mountains, and hills!
Naanga kannukkullae yetri vaitha jothiyae
You are the divine flame we lit within our eyes!
Kaadu malai maedu kanda neeliyae
Oh Neeli who has seen forests, mountains, and hills!
Naanga kannukkullae yetri vaitha jothiyae
You are the divine flame we lit within our eyes!
Ambigaiyae enga nambikkaiyae
Oh Mother Ambigai, our ultimate faith!
Un sannadhikku naada vandha
The reason we came seeking your shrine,
Kaaranam enna
What is that reason?
Enga nimmadhiyai thaedi vandhom
We came seeking our peace of mind,
Vaeru vazhi enna
What other way is there for us?
Kaadu malai maedu kanda neeliyae
Oh Neeli who has seen forests, mountains, and hills!
Naanga kannukkullae yetri vaitha jothiyae
You are the divine flame we lit within our eyes!
Vaanam varai ongi nirkkum
Standing tall reaching up to the sky,
Manjal muga annaiyae
Oh turmeric-complexioned Mother!
Aarum varai paathu ingu
Waiting for the situation to calm down,
Andi vandhom unnaiyae
We came seeking refuge in you!
Aanavarai kettu vitten
I begged for justice as much as I could,
Needhiyum illae
Yet there was no justice to be found!
Nallaa pona varai poga vittu
Letting things pass as far as they could,
Pottu vittom mella
We have now quietly taken action!
Kaadu malai maedu kanda neeliyae
Oh Neeli who has seen forests, mountains, and hills!
Naanga kannukkullae yetri vaitha jothiyae
You are the divine flame we lit within our eyes!
Thirudanum om sakthi
Even a thief chants 'Om Shakti',
Sakthiyae endru thaan
Only uttering the name of 'Shakti',
Thiruneeru poosugindraan
And smears holy ash on his forehead!
Dharumathai nambiyae
Yet, believing in righteousness,
Dhinam thorum vaazhndhavan
The one who lived day after day,
Thaayunnai thaedi vandhaan
Has come seeking you, Mother!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song is a powerful devotional prayer addressed to Goddess Kali (Eswari / Bhadrakali), seeking her divine protection, guidance, and refuge in times of deep personal distress. The lyricist depicts the duality of the Divine Mother—she is fierce and destructive toward evil and demons, yet immensely compassionate and tender toward the pure-hearted, poor, and oppressed. Narratively, the protagonist reflects on facing injustice despite living a righteous life. He contrasts hypocrites who wear religious symbols like sacred ash for show while doing evil, against honest devotees who seek real refuge at the Goddess's feet. Finding no justice in the human world, the protagonist surrenders completely to Goddess Kali, trusting her to restore peace and uphold righteousness.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Contrast / Antithesis (Muran)
“Anbu manadhai alli eduthaai / Asuran thalaiyai killi eduthaai”
Contrasts the loving, gentle act of embracing pure hearts ('Anbu manadhai') with the terrifying destruction of severing a demon's head ('Asuran thalaiyai').
Metaphor
“Naanga kannukkullae yetri vaitha jothiyae”
The Goddess is metaphorically described as a sacred flame lit directly inside the eyes of the devotees, symbolizing inner spiritual light and vision.
Iyaipu (End Rhyme)
“Chithira kaali enga bathira kaali”
The repetition of the rhythmic suffix 'kaali' at the end of phrase segments creates an echoing devotional cadence.
Alliteration (Monai)
“Kodumai kandu kumarum katti”
Repetition of the 'Ka' sound ('Kodumai', 'kandu', 'kumarum', 'katti') establishes strong rhythmic alliteration.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Bairavi' (1978) is a landmark film in Tamil cinema history as it featured Rajinikanth in his very first lead hero role. It was during the promotion of this movie that film distributor and producer Kalaipuli S. Thanu bestowed Rajinikanth with the iconic title 'Superstar'. The film's soundtrack was composed by Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by the veteran poet Kannadasan.
Keep listening
More from Bairavi
Bairavi
Bairavi
Bairavi