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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Gowri Kalyana Vaibhogamae

From Ethanai Konam Ethanai Parvai · 1982

Lyricist
Thyagaraja
Singer
K. J. Yesudas
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Ethanai Konam Ethanai Parvai1982

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Gowri kalyaana vaibogamaeOh, the grandeur of Gowri's auspicious wedding!
Raama kalyaana vaibogamaeOh, the grandeur of Lord Rama's auspicious wedding!
Pavanaja sthudhi paathra parama pavithraThe supreme holy one, who is worthy of praise by Hanuman, the son of the wind god!
Ravi soma vara naethra ramaneeya gaathraThe one whose glorious eyes are the sun and the moon, possessing a charming form!
Male
Gowri kalyaana vaibogamaeOh, the grandeur of Gowri's auspicious wedding!
Raama kalyaana vaibogamaeOh, the grandeur of Lord Rama's auspicious wedding!
Gowri kalyaana vaibogamaeOh, the grandeur of Gowri's auspicious wedding!
Male
Nidhi chaala sukhamaaDoes vast material wealth bring true happiness?
Raamuni sannidhi saeva sukhamaaOr does serving in the presence of Lord Rama bring happiness?
Nijamukha balku manasaaSpeak the truth honestly from your heart, oh my mind!
Nidhi chaala sukhamaa aa…Does vast material wealth bring true happiness?
Male
Kallaa nee aanaalumEven if you are uneducated or foolish,
Kai porul ondru undaayinIf you happen to possess wealth and riches in your hand,
Ellaarum sendrangu edhir kolvarEveryone will gather around and welcome you with respect.
Illaanai illaalum vaendaalA man without wealth is not wanted even by his own wife,
Matru eendredutha thaai vaendaalNor is he wanted by the mother who gave birth to him.
Sellaadhu avan vaayil solThe words spoken from his mouth carry no weight or value.
Sellaadhu avan vaayil solThe words spoken from his mouth carry no weight or value.
Male
Pugazh serkkum pudhu vaazhvuA new life that brings fame and honor,
Pulargindra naeram idhuThis is the very moment it dawns.
Nigazh kaala karuvaraiyilIn the womb of the present era,
Nam edhir kaalam thuyilgiradhuOur future lies sleeping.
Karuvazhikkum kaliyurulaiThe destructive wheel of the Kali age,
Sengadhir vandhu kizhikkiradhu aa… aa…The bright red sun ray arrives and tears through it...
Karuvizhiyae kan malaraeOh dark pupil of the eye, oh flower-like eye,
Karuvizhiyae kan malaraeOh dark pupil of the eye, oh flower-like eye,
Kan thirandhu kaanaayoWon't you open your eyes and see?
Kan thirandhu kaanaayoWon't you open your eyes and see?
Kan thirandhu kaanaayoWon't you open your eyes and see?
Kan thirandhu kaanaayoWon't you open your eyes and see?
Male
Nimirndha nan nadai naer konda paarvaiAn upright, confident posture and a direct, fearless gaze,
Nilathil yaarkkum anjaadha nerigalHigh moral principles that fear no one on this earth,
Thimirndha njaana cherukkum iruppadhaalPossessing deep, ultimate wisdom and righteous pride,
Aa… aa… aa…aa…Aa… aa… aa…aa…
Semmai maadhar thirambuvadhillaiExemplary women will never stray from their path of virtue.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a multi-layered musical compilation that transitions through spiritual devotion, social commentary, and feminine empowerment. It begins with classical Carnatic compositions praising divine weddings and questioning the true value of material wealth versus spiritual devotion to Lord Rama. It then shifts into a realistic critique of human society, illustrating how society and family treat a person based on their material wealth rather than their character. In the final movement, the song evolves into a hopeful call for enlightenment and empowerment. Incorporating Mahakavi Subramania Bharati's famous verses on the 'Modern Woman' (Pudhumaiphen), it celebrates the awakening of a new era. It envisions courageous, educated, and self-respecting women who walk upright with fearless gazes and unyielding moral integrity, breaking away from societal oppression.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Rhetorical Question

Nidhi chaala sukhamaa

Saint Tyagaraja poses a rhetorical question asking whether material wealth truly brings happiness, contrasting it with spiritual peace.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Nimirndha nan nadai naer konda paarvai

The repetition of the initial consonant 'N' (Nimirndha, nan, nadai, naer) creates a strong rhythmic cadence standard in Tamil poetry.

Metaphor

Nigazh kaala karuvaraiyil / Nam edhir kaalam thuyilgiradhu

The 'present time' is metaphorically described as a womb ('karuvarai') inside which the future sleeps.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Karuvizhiyae kan malarae

Repetition of the vowel sound '-ae' at the end of the phrases establishes poetic harmony.

Did you know?

Trivia

This track is a unique medley featured in the 1982 film 'Ethanai Konam Ethanai Parvai', directed by the acclaimed writer B. Jayakanthan. It uniquely blends classical Telugu/Sanskrit Kritis composed by Saint Tyagaraja (such as 'Gowri Kalyana' and 'Nidhi Chala Sukhama') with classical Tamil ethical poetry and Mahakavi Subramania Bharati's landmark revolutionary poem 'Pudhumaiphen' ('Nimirndha nan nadai...').

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