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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Gnana Sabaiyil Thillai

From Sivagami · 1960

Lyricist
Papanasam Sivan
Singer
M. K. Thiyagaraja Bagavathar
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Sivagami1960

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Gyaana sabaiyil thillaiIn the hall of supreme wisdom at Thillai,
Gaanam thanil nindraadumDancing eternally to divine music,
Gyaana sabaiyil thillaiIn the hall of supreme wisdom at Thillai,
Gaanam thanil nindraadumDancing eternally to divine music,
Aanandha natarajanae hara hara ena varaOh joyful Nataraja, as chants of 'Hara Hara' resound,
Munivarum amararum pugazhPraised by revered sages and heavenly immortals,
Paramaanandha natarajanaeOh Nataraja, the embodiment of supreme bliss!
Male
Maanum mazhuvumHolding the deer and the battle axe,
Maanum mazhuvum pinju madhiyum nadhiyum thavazhWith the young crescent moon and the river Ganga resting upon Him,
Maanum mazhuvum pinju madhiyum nadhiyum thavazhWith the young crescent moon and the river Ganga resting upon Him,
Sevvaanam nigar sadai aada ila nagai arumbhumAs matted locks resembling the red evening sky sway, a gentle smile buds,
Madhimugamum thiruvizhi azhagumOn His moon-like face adorned with divine, beautiful eyes,
Gyana sabaiyil thillaiIn the hall of wisdom at Thillai,
Gaanam thannil nindraadum aanandha natarajanaeOh joyful Nataraja dancing eternally to the music!
Male
Naemiyudan muzhangaazhiyaniAdorned with ocean-like deep grandeur,
Saarangapaani mirundhangamumWith Lord Vishnu (Sarangapani) playing the mridangam,
Naemiyudan muzhangaazhiyaniAdorned with ocean-like deep grandeur,
Saarangapaani mirundhangamumWith Lord Vishnu playing the mridangam,
Ni sa dha ni pa ma ri ga ma ri sa aa aa aaNi sa dha ni pa ma ri ga ma ri sa aa aa aa,
Swara naadha naaradhar veenaiyumAccompanied by Sage Narada's veena playing divine musical notes,
Male
Saama gaana vinodhanaeOh Lord who delights in the melodious chanting of Sama Veda,
Sivagaama sundhari naadhanae swaamiOh Lord and consort of the beautiful Goddess Sivagami,
Saama gaana vinodhanaeOh Lord who delights in the melodious chanting of Sama Veda,
Sivagaama sundhari naadhanae swaamiOh Lord and consort of the beautiful Goddess Sivagami,
Adimaiyaai aazh sagala jagan nadhanaeRule over me, your devoted servant, Oh Master of the entire universe,
Paadhamae theem thetheem isaiyudanAt whose lotus feet the rhythmic beat 'theem thetheem' resounds with music,
Male
Gyaana sabaiyil thillaiIn the hall of supreme wisdom at Thillai,
Gaanam thannil nindraadumDancing eternally to divine music,
Aanandha natarajanae hara hara ena varaOh joyful Nataraja, as chants of 'Hara Hara' resound,
Munivarum amararum pugazhPraised by revered sages and heavenly immortals,
Paramaanandha natarajanaeOh Nataraja, the embodiment of supreme bliss!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a sublime devotional hymn dedicated to Lord Nataraja, the cosmic dancer form of Lord Shiva presiding over the hall of wisdom at Thillai (Chidambaram). The lyrics portray the divine dance of Nataraja, capturing His iconic form—holding a deer and axe, adorned with the crescent moon and the flowing river Ganga in His matted hair that glows red like the evening sky, and smiling tenderly with luminous, beautiful eyes.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Upamai Ani (Simile)

Sevvaanam nigar sadai aada

Compares the reddish hue of Lord Shiva's divine matted locks (sadai) to the red evening sky (sevvaanam) using the comparison word 'nigar'.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Maanum mazhuvum pinju madhiyum nadhiyum thavazh

Repetition of the initial letter/sound 'Ma' across words ('Maanum', 'mazhuvum', 'madhiyum') creates melodic rhythm.

Imagery

Madhimugamum thiruvizhi azhagum

Paints a vivid visual imagery comparing the Lord's serene face to a glowing moon ('madhi-mugam') with radiant divine eyes.

Did you know?

Trivia

This song from the movie 'Sivagami' (1960) was sung by the legendary M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar (MKT), Tamil cinema's first grand superstar. The song was composed by K. V. Mahadevan with classical lyrics written by Papanasam Sivan, a famed Carnatic music composer often referred to as 'Tamil Tyagayya'.

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