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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
Movie name
Sivagami
Movie release year
1960
Lyrics added on
31 May 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Gyaana sabaiyil thillai
Gaanam thanil nindraadum
Gyaana sabaiyil thillai
Gaanam thanil nindraadum
Aanandha natarajanae hara hara ena vara
Munivarum amararum pugazh
Paramaanandha natarajanae
Maanum mazhuvum
Maanum mazhuvum pinju madhiyum nadhiyum thavazh
Maanum mazhuvum pinju madhiyum nadhiyum thavazh
Sevvaanam nigar sadai aada ila nagai arumbhum
Madhimugamum thiruvizhi azhagum
Gyana sabaiyil thillai
Gaanam thannil nindraadum aanandha natarajanae
Naemiyudan muzhangaazhiyani
Saarangapaani mirundhangamum
Naemiyudan muzhangaazhiyani
Saarangapaani mirundhangamum
Ni sa dha ni pa ma ri ga ma ri sa aa aa aa
Swara naadha naaradhar veenaiyum
Saama gaana vinodhanae
Sivagaama sundhari naadhanae swaami
Saama gaana vinodhanae
Sivagaama sundhari naadhanae swaami
Adimaiyaai aazh sagala jagan nadhanae
Paadhamae theem thetheem isaiyudan
Gyaana sabaiyil thillai
Gaanam thannil nindraadum
Aanandha natarajanae hara hara ena vara
Munivarum amararum pugazh
Paramaanandha natarajanae
In the hall of wisdom in Thillai,
dancing in the sacred grove,
In the hall of wisdom in Thillai,
dancing in the sacred grove,
O blissful Nataraja, as cries of "Hara Hara" resound,
praised by sages and gods,
O Nataraja of supreme bliss!
Holding the deer and the battle-axe,
where the deer, the axe, the crescent moon, and the river rest,
where the deer, the axe, the crescent moon, and the river rest,
as your red-sky matted hair sways, with a gentle smile
blossoming on your moon-like face and beautiful divine eyes,
In the hall of wisdom in Thillai...
O blissful Nataraja, dancing in the sacred grove...
With the discus and the sounding conch,
as Lord Vishnu plays the mridangam drum,
With the discus and the sounding conch,
as Lord Vishnu plays the mridangam drum,
Ni Sa Dha Ni Pa Ma Ri Ga Ma Ri Sa Aaa...
and sage Narada plays melodies on the veena,
O Lord delighted by the sacred Sama Veda chants,
O Lord of Sivakami, my master,
O Lord delighted by the sacred Sama Veda chants,
O Lord of Sivakami, my master,
Lord of the whole universe, rule over this humble servant,
as your holy feet dance to the rhythm of "Dheem Thatheem"...
In the hall of wisdom in Thillai,
dancing in the sacred grove,
O blissful Nataraja, as cries of "Hara Hara" resound,
praised by sages and gods,
O Nataraja of supreme bliss!
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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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