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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Gopala Govinda Mugunda

From Miruthanga Chakravarthi · 1983

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
M. S. Vishwanathan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Miruthanga Chakravarthi1983

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
{Gopaalaa govindhaaOh Gopala, Govinda,
Mukundhaa vaikundhaaMukunda, resident of Vaikuntha,
Harae harae paandurangaaHare Hare Panduranga,
Harae harae paandurangaa} (2)Hare Hare Panduranga!
Male
Maargazhi maasam kaalai idhuThis is a morning in the auspicious month of Margazhi,
Aahaa bajana pannum vaela idhuAha, this is the time to perform devotional Bhajans!
Maargazhi maasam kaalai idhuThis is a morning in the auspicious month of Margazhi,
Aahaa bajana pannum vaela idhuAha, this is the time to perform devotional Bhajans!
Male
Pudavaiyai thirudiya parandhaamaa…Oh Lord Krishna, who stole the clothes of the maidens...
Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…
Pudavaiyai thirudiya parandhaamaaOh Lord Krishna, who stole the clothes of the maidens,
Un baktharai theruvil vidalaamaaCan you leave your ardent devotees out on the street?
Chorus
Gopaalaa govindhaaOh Gopala, Govinda,
Mukundhaa vaikundhaaMukunda, resident of Vaikuntha,
Harae harae paandurangaaHare Hare Panduranga,
Harae harae paandurangaaHare Hare Panduranga!
Male
Ennudaiya vaathiyathaiThe musical instrument that belongs to me,
Vacha idam nalla idamWhere it was placed is a very good place,
Chorus
Aamaa aamaa nalla idamYes, yes, a very good place!
Male
Ennudaiya vaathiyathaiThe musical instrument that belongs to me,
Vacha idam nalla idamWhere it was placed is a very good place,
Male
Eppozhudhum thangi kollaA place with all necessary amenities,
Vasadhi ellaam ulla idamTo stay over at any given time,
Eppozhudhum thangi kollaA place with all necessary amenities,
Vasadhi ellaam ulla idamTo stay over at any given time!
Male
Jaalraava thattungadaaStrike the cymbals, boys!
Mathalatha kottungadaaBeat the drum loud, boys!
Chorus
Mathalatha kottungadaaBeat the drum loud, boys!
Male
Panchamatha kuralirukkuWith a voice pitched high in the fifth note (Panchama),
Panjamatha ettungadaa…Overcome and rise above all poverty and scarcity, boys!
Aaaa…..aaa….aaa….aaa…Aaaa…..aaa….aaa….aaa…
Panchamatha kuralirukkuWith a voice pitched high in the fifth note (Panchama),
Panjamatha ettungadaa…Overcome and rise above all poverty and scarcity, boys!
Chorus
Gopaalaa govindhaaOh Gopala, Govinda,
Mukundhaa vaikundhaaMukunda, resident of Vaikuntha,
Harae harae paandurangaaHare Hare Panduranga,
Harae harae paandurangaaHare Hare Panduranga!
Male
Pothalula vaaya vachiPlacing the lips over the hole,
Pullaanguzhal oodhurappoWhen the bamboo flute is played,
Chorus
Aamaa aamaa oodhurappoYes, yes, when it is played,
Male
Pullarichi pogudhappaaGoosebumps rise up, my friend!
Bakthi rasam oorudhappaaThe sweet essence of devotion overflows, my friend!
Male
Pothalula vaaya vachiPlacing the lips over the hole,
Pullaanguzhal oodhurappoWhen the bamboo flute is played,
Male
Pullarichi pogudhappaaGoosebumps rise up, my friend!
Bakthi rasam oorudhappaaThe sweet essence of devotion overflows, my friend!
Male
Collegela saerndhirundhumEven after enrolling in college,
Kaavigala katta vachaanHe made us wear saffron ascetics' robes!
Male
Pattadhaari aaga vandhomWe came hoping to become graduates,
Patta naamam poda vachaanHe left us with holy marks painted on our foreheads!
Male
Collegela saerndhirundhumEven after enrolling in college,
Kaavigala katta vachaanHe made us wear saffron ascetics' robes!
Male
Pattadhaari aaga vandhomWe came hoping to become graduates,
Patta naamam poda vachaanHe left us with holy marks painted on our foreheads!
Chorus
Gopaalaa govindhaaOh Gopala, Govinda,
Mukundhaa vaikundhaaMukunda, resident of Vaikuntha,
Harae harae paandurangaaHare Hare Panduranga,
Harae harae paandurangaaHare Hare Panduranga!
Male
Sinnanjiru pasangala thaanMaking the little young boys,
Kuniya vachi yaeri ninnuBend down so he could step up on them,
Chorus
Aamaa aamaa yaeri ninnuYes, yes, standing tall on them,
Male
Vennaiyinai vilaiyaattaaLord Krishna playfully took away,
Kannapiraan eduthadhunduThe pots of butter of olden days!
Male
Naayagana paadungadaaSing in praise of the Supreme Hero, boys,
Njaana venna kaiyil varumThe butter of true wisdom will arrive in your hands!
Male
Gopiyarin koottamellaamThe entire gathering of Gopis,
Kolaattam poda varumWill join in to perform the stick dance!
Chorus
Gopaalaa govindhaaOh Gopala, Govinda,
Mukundhaa vaikundhaaMukunda, resident of Vaikuntha,
Harae harae paandurangaaHare Hare Panduranga,
Harae harae paandurangaaHare Hare Panduranga!
Harae harae paandurangaaHare Hare Panduranga,
Harae harae paandurangaaHare Hare Panduranga!
Harae harae paandurangaaHare Hare Panduranga,
Harae harae paandurangaaHare Hare Panduranga!
Male
Sarvathsara govindha naama sangeerthanam…All together, chanting the holy divine names of Govinda!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a lively, satirical, and humorous street Bhajan dedicated to Lord Krishna (Gopala/Govinda/Panduranga), set during the early morning hours of the auspicious Tamil month of Margazhi. The singers use playful banter, street slangs, and traditional devotional themes to call upon the Lord. They make light of their current plight—having abandoned college education and worldly aspirations only to end up as saffron-clad ascetics singing on the streets for a living.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Yamakam / Slemai (Pun and Wordplay)

Panchamatha kuralirukku / Panjamatha ettungadaa

Vaali plays on the words 'Panchama' (the 5th musical note in Carnatic music, Pa) and 'Panjam' (poverty/scarcity), linking high-pitched singing to overcoming life's hardship.

Pun / Double Entendre

Pattadhaari aaga vandhom / Patta naamam poda vachaan

Witty contrast between 'Pattadhaari' (degree holder/graduate) and 'Patta naamam' (wearing Vaishnavite forehead marks, colloquially meaning 'getting tricked/bankrupted').

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Pothalula vaaya vachi / Pullaanguzhal oodhurappo / Pullarichi pogudhappaa

Repetition of the 'Po/Pu' sound at the beginning of consecutive lines creates rhythmic flow.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although the music composer and singers are listed as unknown in the provided prompt context, 'Miruthanga Chakravarthi' (1983) is a classic musical drama film starring Sivaji Ganesan and Prabhu, featuring music composed by M. S. Viswanathan. Vaali wrote these witty lyrics blending classical Margazhi Bhajan tradition with contemporary street-smart humor.

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