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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ichai Kiliyendru

From Velum Mayilum Thunai · 1979

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
Latha
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Movie name
Velum Mayilum Thunai
Movie release year
1979
Lyrics added on
10 May 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Ichai kiliyendru somanukku
Idamirukkum meenatchi
Pachai kiliyendru maari vandhu
Bhakthaikku kaatchi thandhaal
Dhakshan pettredutha thalir kodiyae
Thirumadhurai meenatchi
Nambhum adiyavarkkum nallavarkkum
Naalellaam nee saatchi
To Lord Shiva, she is his beloved parrot,
Meenakshi, who holds a place by his side.
Taking the form of a green parrot,
She appeared before her devotee.
O tender creeper born of Daksha,
O Meenakshi of holy Madurai!
For the trusting devotees and the good-hearted,
You stand as witness every single day...
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This devotional hymn composed by Kannadasan glorifies Goddess Meenakshi of Madurai. It describes her divine nature as the beloved consort sitting alongside Lord Shiva (Soma) and her loving grace in appearing before her devoted followers in the form of her iconographic green parrot. The song invokes her ancient lineage as Dakshayani (the tender vine born to Daksha) and highlights her role as an omnipresent, day-long witness and protector for all righteous and faithful devotees.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Pachai kiliyendru maari vandhu

The second consonant sound 'cha' (ch) rhymes between 'Ichai' (line 1) and 'Pachai' (line 3).

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Dhakshan pettredutha thalir kodiyae

Goddess Meenakshi is metaphorically called a 'thalir kodi' (tender vine) and an 'ichai kili' (parrot of desire).

Mounai (First-letter Alliteration)

Nambhum adiyavarkkum nallavarkkum

The 'Na' sound is repeated at the beginning of 'Nambhum', 'nallavarkkum', and 'Naalellaam'.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Velum Mayilum Thunai' (1979) is a classic devotional film directed by Ra. Sankaran with music by the Shankar-Ganesh duo. Kannadasan's lyrics seamlessly integrate classical iconography—specifically Goddess Meenakshi's association with a green parrot and her mythological origins as Dakshayani—into accessible devotional poetry.

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