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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Gnaana Kannai

From Samayapurathale Satchi · 1985

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Samayapurathale Satchi1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Gyaana kannai thirandhu vittenI have opened your eye of wisdom,
Paar maganae paarLook, my son, look!
Gyaana kannai thirandhu vittenI have opened your eye of wisdom,
Paar maganae paarLook, my son, look!
Indha gyanam ellaam iruppaval naanI am the Mother who embodies all this wisdom,
Paar maganae paarLook, my son, look!
Gyaana kannai thirandhu vittenI have opened your eye of wisdom,
Paar maganae paarLook, my son, look!
Female
Oona kannai izhandhu nindraaiYou lost your physical vision
AanavathaalaeBecause of your arrogance.
Oona kannai izhandhu nindraaiYou lost your physical vision
AanavathaalaeBecause of your arrogance.
Indha saei pirindha pizhaigal ellaamAll the mistakes committed by this child,
Thaai poruthaalaeThe mother forgave and endured.
Gyaana kannai thirandhu vittenI have opened your eye of wisdom,
Paar maganae paarLook, my son, look!
Female
Karuvaraiyil iruppaval naanI am the one who resides in the sanctum sanctorum,
Theruvarai vandhenYet I came down to the street.
Ingu kann urangum makkalukkuFor the people sleeping here,
Kaavalai thandhenI provided protection.
Female
Karuvaraiyil iruppaval naanI am the one who resides in the sanctum sanctorum,
Theruvarai vandhenYet I came down to the street.
Ingu kann urangum makkalukkuFor the people sleeping here,
Kaavalai thandhenI provided protection.
Female
Oruvaraiyum oru poludhumAnyone, at any point in time,
KaividamattenI will never abandon.
Andha karunaiyinaal kann koduthuOut of that mercy, I gave you eyes,
Unnaiyum meettaenAnd saved you too.
Gyaana kannai thirandhu vittenI have opened your eye of wisdom,
Paar maganae paarLook, my son, look!
Female
Maangaattil theekulithu thavam irundhenaeI performed penance bathing in fire at Maangadu,
Pani malaiyinilaeIn the snowy mountains,
Nilaithirukkum vaishnavi naanaeI am Vaishnavi who abides eternally.
Maangaattil theekulithu thavam irundhenaeI performed penance bathing in fire at Maangadu,
Pani malaiyinilaeIn the snowy mountains,
Nilaithirukkum vaishnavi naanaeI am Vaishnavi who abides eternally.
Female
Paramasivan iruppidam en paadhiyil thaanaeLord Shiva's abode lies in my half,
Paramasivan iruppidam en paadhiyil thaanaeLord Shiva's abode lies in my half.
Siva padhaviyinai koduppathu en kann vizhi meenaeIt is the fish-like glance of my eyes that bestows liberation.
Gyaana kannai thirandhu vittenI have opened your eye of wisdom,
Paar maganae paarLook, my son, look!
Female
Udal mulukka oodukindra udhiramum naanaeI am the blood flowing throughout your body,
Un uyir anukkal iyanguvadhum en seyal thaanaeIt is my action that activates your living cells.
Udal mulukka oodukindra udhiramum naanaeI am the blood flowing throughout your body,
Un uyir anukkal iyanguvadhum en seyal thaanaeIt is my action that activates your living cells.
Paar maganae paar mulukka then paduvenaeLook, my son, I am visible throughout the world!
Paar maganae paar mulukka then paduvenaeLook, my son, I am visible throughout the world!
Ennai paarthidathaanOnly to behold me,
Naanunakku kann koduthenaeDid I grant you sight!
Female
Gyaana kannai thirandhu vittenI have opened your eye of wisdom,
Paar maganae paarLook, my son, look!
Indha gyanam ellaam iruppaval naanI am the Mother who embodies all this wisdom,
Paar maganae paarLook, my son, look!
Gyaana kannai thirandhu vittenI have opened your eye of wisdom,
Paar maganae paarLook, my son, look!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a grand devotional anthem where the Divine Mother (Goddess Mariamman / Parasakthi) addresses a devotee who had lost his physical sight due to his pride and ego. Overflowing with maternal forgiveness ('Thaai poruthaalae'), the Goddess restores not only his physical vision but opens his inner 'Gyaana Kann' (the eye of spiritual wisdom), teaching him humility and divine grace. Throughout the lyrics, the Goddess asserts her cosmic omnipresence and various manifestations—from doing penance at Maangadu to abiding as Vaishnavi in the Himalayas, existing as half of Lord Shiva (Ardhanarishvara), and residing inside every living cell and drop of blood. She reminds him that physical sight was granted to him primarily so he could witness and realize the omnipresent divinity in all of creation.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Contrast (Muran) & Rhyme (Ethugai)

Karuvaraiyil iruppaval naan / Theruvarai vandhen

Contrasts the 'Karuvarai' (sacred sanctum sanctorum) with 'Theruvarai' (the open street), highlighting the Goddess's humility in stepping out to protect her devotees. The second letters ('ru') also form Ethugai.

Metaphor

Oona kannai izhandhu nindraai / Gyaana kannai thirandhu vitten

Contrasts 'Oona kann' (physical flesh eye) with 'Gyaana kann' (eye of wisdom/spiritual realization), metaphorically elevating spiritual awakening over physical sight.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Nilaithirukkum vaishnavi naanae / Paramasivan iruppidam en paadhiyil thaanae

The line endings 'naanae' and 'thaanae' create a pleasing rhyming cadence at the end of poetic couplets.

Alliteration (Monai)

Maangaattil theekulithu thavam irundhenae / Pani malaiyinilae

The initial 'Ma' sounds in 'Maangaattil' and 'Malaiyinilae' establish poetic harmony across the verse.

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Trivia

Samayapurathale Satchi (1985) is a classic Tamil devotional film centered around Goddess Samayapuram Mariamman, starring K. R. Vijaya as the Goddess. The soundtrack was composed by the legendary 'Isai Chakravarthy' K. V. Mahadevan, known for his masterful musical scores in devotional and mythological cinema. The veteran singer P. Susheela brought great emotional resonance to this track, written by renowned lyricist Vaali, who brilliantly woven authentic temple lore (like the Maangadu fire penance and Goddess Meenakshi's fish-eyes) into mainstream cinematic verse.

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