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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Idhaya Koyil Irukka

From Srivalli · 1961

Lyricist
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Details
Srivalli1961

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
Om saravanabava om saravanabavaOm Saravanabhava, Om Saravanabhava
Female :Shanmugha sakthi vadivelaOh Shanmugha, the embodiment of power, holding the sacred spear (Vel)!
Chorus :Om saravanabava om saravanabavaOm Saravanabhava, Om Saravanabhava
Female :Kanneerai kaanikkai seidhaalum un manamEven if I offer my tears as an offering, will your heart
Karaiyaadho kanidhidaadhoo…ooNot melt? Will it not soften?
Karunaanidhae un karunai pirandhidaathoOh ocean of mercy, will your grace not be born for me?
Female
Idhaya koyilirukka inghu nee amarndhaeWhen a temple in my heart exists, sitting here (as a idol)...
Iruppadhu thaan muraiyaa…mooIs it proper to remain like this?
Idhaya koyilirukka inghu nee amarndhaeWhen a temple in my heart exists, sitting here...
Iruppadhu thaan muraiyaa… moo shanmughaIs it proper to remain like this, Oh Shanmugha?
Idhaya koyilirukka inghu nee amarndhaeWhen a temple in my heart exists, sitting here...
Iruppadhu thaan muraiyaamooIs it proper to remain like this?
Female
Ezhaiyum unnodu vaazhavae pirandhenEven as a poor girl, I was born to live with you
Ennamellaam kanavamooAre all my thoughts merely a dream?
Muruga..aa..aa..Oh Muruga...
Ezhaiyum unnodu vaazhavae pirandhenEven as a poor girl, I was born to live with you
Ennamellaam kanavamooAre all my thoughts merely a dream?
Iniyum un ninaivaale thanimaiyinaal nenjamHenceforth, because of your memories and this loneliness, my heart...
Yengidum nilai varalaamoShould it reach a state of yearning like this?
Female
Maramagi nindra asuranai andruThe demon who stood transformed into a tree back then,
Irukooru seidha murugaOh Muruga who split him into two halves,
Female
Mayilaaga sevar kodiyaaga yendhiAnd bore them as a peacock and a rooster flag,
Magizhndhodi vandha murugaOh Muruga who came running joyfully!
Female
Kuravar engal kulathai naadiSeeking our clan of Kuravas,
Kulava vandha murugaOh Muruga who came to mingle and dwell with us!
Female
Kurubaraa edhiril orumurai vandhuOh supreme master (Gurupara), appear before me once,
Kuraiyai theerum muruga…aa..aa..aa..And resolve my grievances, Oh Muruga!
Female
Uruvam kallaaga maaridinumEven if your physical form has turned to stone,
Ullam kallaaga maaruvadhoCan your heart also turn into stone?
Uruvam kallaaga maaridinumEven if your physical form has turned to stone,
Ullam kallaaga maaruvadhoCan your heart also turn into stone?
Urugaadha manam urugaadhaWill this unmelting heart not melt?
Urugaadha manam urugaadhaWill this unmelting heart not melt?
Urugaadha manam urugaadhaWill this unmelting heart not melt?
Urugaadha manam urugaadhaWill this unmelting heart not melt?
Urugaadha manam urugaadhaWill this unmelting heart not melt?
Muruga ..muruga…muruga…Muruga... Muruga... Muruga...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This emotional devotional song from the 1961 movie 'Srivalli' depicts Valli pleading with Lord Murugan. She expresses her deep love and longing, questioning why He remains an unmoving stone idol in the temple when her heart is dedicated to Him as His true temple. She reminds Him of His past compassionate deeds—how He vanquished Surapadman and split him into a peacock and rooster, and how He sought out the Kurava tribe out of love. She implores Him to appear before her, heal her pain, and let His stone heart melt with divine grace.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhai (Second letter rhyming / Alliteration)

Maramagi nindra asuranai andru / Irukooru seidha muruga

The second consonant 'ra' matches across lines: 'Maramagi' and 'Irukooru'.

Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

Idhaya koyilirukka inghu nee amarndhae

Comparing the heart to a temple where Lord Murugan resides ('Idhaya koyilirukka').

Rhetorical Question & Contrast

Uruvam kallaaga maaridinum ullam kallaaga maaruvadho

Contrasting the idol's stone form with the expectation of an empathetic heart ('Uruvam kallaaga maaridinum ullam kallaaga maaruvadho').

Anaphora / Repetition (Adukku Thodar)

Urugaadha manam urugaadha

Repetition of 'Urugaadha manam urugaadha' to emphasize deep distress and persistent pleading.

Did you know?

Trivia

The 1961 film 'Srivalli', produced by AVM Productions and directed by T. R. Ramanna, stars Sivaji Ganesan as Lord Murugan and P. Bhanumathi as Valli. Music director G. Ramanathan composed classic mythological melodies for the film, and P. Susheela's rendition of this soulful plea remains one of the most celebrated classical Tamil devotional film songs.

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