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Lyrics & meaning

Iraiva Iraiva

From Karuppu Panam · 1964

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Details
Karuppu Panam1964

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Iraiva iraiva iraivaOh Lord, Oh Lord, Oh Lord!
Undhan raajasabai ingu vaaradhoWill not your royal court arrive here?
Undhan karunai mozhi ingu kelaadhooWill not your merciful words be heard here?
Undhan raajasabai ingu vaaradhoWill not your royal court arrive here?
Undhan karunai mozhi ingu kelaadhooWill not your merciful words be heard here?
Engal naayaganae ingu vaaraaiyooOh our Lord, won't you come here?
Adimai kuralai konjam kelaaiyooWon't you listen a little to this servant's voice?
Adimai kuralai konjam kelaaiyooWon't you listen a little to this servant's voice?
Female
Engal arivena solvadhu neeyallavoAre you not the one called our wisdom?
Ingu asaivana yaavaiyum neeyallavoAre you not everything that moves here?
Arivena solvadhu neeyallavoAre you not the one called wisdom?
Ingu asaivana yaavaiyum neeyallavoAre you not everything that moves here?
Female
Engal thiruchabai maanikkam neeyallavoAre you not the ruby of our holy assembly?
Anbu dhevan thoothuvan neeyalavoAre you not the messenger of the God of Love?
Adimai kuralai konjam kelaaiyooWon't you listen a little to this servant's voice?
Adimai kuralai konjam kelaaiyooWon't you listen a little to this servant's voice?
Female
Undhan raajasabai ingu vaarathoWill not your royal court arrive here?
Undhan karunai mozhi ingu kelaadhooWill not your merciful words be heard here?
Engal naayaganae ingu vaaraaiyooOh our Lord, won't you come here?
Adimai kuralai konjam kelaaiyooWon't you listen a little to this servant's voice?
Adimai kuralai konjam kelaaiyooWon't you listen a little to this servant's voice?
Female
Ingu emakkena yedhondrumHere, for us, anything...
Illai illaiThere is nothing, nothing!
Engal idhayathil salanangal illai illaiIn our hearts, there are no waverings, none!
Emakkena yedhondrumFor us, anything...
Illai illaiThere is nothing, nothing!
Female
Engal idhayathil salanangal illai illaiIn our hearts, there are no waverings, none!
Undhan solaiyil naangal malargal aiyaaWe are flowers in your garden, Oh Sire.
Un thoodhu kondaadum alaigal aiyaaWe are waves celebrating your divine message, Oh Sire.
Adimai kuralai konjam kelaaiyooWon't you listen a little to this servant's voice?
Adimai kuralai konjam kelaaiyooWon't you listen a little to this servant's voice?
Female
Undhan raajasabai ingu vaarathoWill not your royal court arrive here?
Undhan karunai mozhi ingu kelaadhooWill not your merciful words be heard here?
Engal naayaganae ingu vaaraaiyooOh our Lord, won't you come here?
Adimai kuralai konjam kelaaiyooWon't you listen a little to this servant's voice?
Adimai kuralai konjam kelaaiyooWon't you listen a little to this servant's voice?
Female
Iraiva iraiva iraivaOh Lord, Oh Lord, Oh Lord!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Iraiva Iraiva' from the 1964 film Karuppu Panam is a soulful devotional prayer addressed to the Almighty. The devotee expresses complete surrender, viewing God as the ultimate source of wisdom, motion, and divine love. The lyrics plead for divine grace, asking the Lord to listen to the humble voice of His servant and manifest His merciful presence on earth. The song highlights total detachment from worldly desires and absolute inner peace, declaring that the devotees hold no personal ambitions and possess steadfast hearts. Metaphorically describing humans as flowers in God's garden and waves bearing His divine message, Kannadasan crafts a profoundly spiritual text that conveys deep humility, devotion, and faith.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Anaphora / Epanalepsis

Iraiva iraiva iraiva

Repetition of 'Iraiva' at the beginning and end of the song to emphasize earnest devotion and intense prayer.

Rhetorical Question (Vinaa)

Undhan raajasabai ingu vaaradho

Framing statements as lingering questions to emphasize the longing of the devotee for God's grace and presence.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Engal thiruchabai maanikkam neeyallavo

Comparing God/Divine Presence to a precious ruby in the midst of a holy congregation or sanctuary.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Undhan solaiyil naangal malargal aiyaa

Metaphorically portraying human devotees as blooming flowers within the Almighty's garden.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Karuppu Panam' (1964) was directed by lyricist Kannadasan himself, who also acted in the movie alongside K. R. Vijaya. The soundtrack was composed by the legendary duo Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy, and this track is notable for its distinct Christian choral arrangement and universal devotional themes.

Keep listening

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