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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Iraivaa Un Maaligaiyil

From Oli Vilakku · 1968

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Oli Vilakku1968

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Iraivaa un maaligaiyil…Oh God, in your divine palace...
Yeththanaiyo mani vilakku…There are so many jewel-bright lamps...
Thalaivaa un kaaladiyil…Oh Master, at your sacred feet...
En nambikkaiyin oli vilakku…Stands the light lamp of my faith...
Nambikkaiyin oli vilakku…The light lamp of my faith...
Female
Aandavanae un paadhangalaiOh Almighty, your feet...
Naan kanneeril neeraattinenI bathed with my tears...
Indha orruyirai nee vaazha vaikkaTo grant life to this single soul...
Indru unnidam kaiyendhinenToday I extend my hands in prayer before you...
Murugaiyaa…Oh Lord Muruga...
Female
Aandavanae un paadhangalaiOh Almighty, your feet...
Naan kanneeril neeraattinenI bathed with my tears...
Indha orruyirai nee vaazha vaikkaTo grant life to this single soul...
Indru unnidam kaiyendhinenToday I extend my hands in prayer before you...
Female
Pannirandu kangalilaeAmong your twelve eyes...
Ondrirandu malarndhaalumEven if just one or two bloom with grace...
Pannirandu kangalilaeAmong your twelve eyes...
Ondrirandu malarndhaalumEven if just one or two bloom with grace...
Ennirandu kangalilumIn both of my two eyes...
Inba oli undaagumThe light of joy will shine...
Female
Ullamadhil ullavaraiThe noble one who lives in everyone's hearts...
Alli tharum nallavaraiThe good man who gives generously to all...
Ullamadhil ullavaraiThe noble one who lives in everyone's hearts...
Alli tharum nallavaraiThe good man who gives generously to all...
Vinnulagam vaavendraalIf the heavenly world summons him...
Mannulagam ennaagumWhat will become of this earthly world?
Female
Aandavanae un paadhangalaiOh Almighty, your feet...
Naan kanneeril neeraattinenI bathed with my tears...
Indha orruyirai nee vaazha vaikkaTo grant life to this single soul...
Indru unnidam kaiyendhinenToday I extend my hands in prayer before you...
Murugaiyaa…Oh Lord Muruga...
Female
Megangal kan kalangumEven the clouds shed tears...
Minnal vandhu thudi thudikkumThe lightning writhes in pain...
Vaanagamae urugaadhoWill not the heavens melt in sorrow...
Vallal mugam paaraamalWithout beholding the benefactor's face?
Female
Unnudanae varugindrenI shall come along with you...
En uyirai tharugindrenI surrender my own life...
Mannan uyir pogaamalSo that the king's life may be spared...
Iraivaa nee aanaiyiduOh Lord, give the command...
Iraivaa nee aanaiyidu… aanaiyidu…Oh Lord, give the command... give the command...
Iraivaa… iraivaa… iraivaa…Oh Lord... Oh Lord... Oh Lord...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant song from Oli Vilakku (1968) is a heart-wrenching devotional plea addressed to Lord Murugan. The protagonist tearfully prays for the life of a benevolent and selfless leader who is gravely ill. She bathes the deity's feet in her tears, arguing that if the righteous leader dies and goes to heaven, the earthly realm will lose its patron and savior.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvam)

En nambikkaiyin oli vilakku…

Faith is metaphorically compared to a lamp emitting light ('Nambikkaiyin oli vilakku').

Edhukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Ullamadhil ullavarai / Alli tharum nallavarai

Rhyming of the second letter 'lla' in 'Ullamadhil' and 'Alli'.

Personification (Tharkurippetrazchi)

Megangal kan kalangum / Minnal vandhu thudi thudikkum

Natural phenomena like clouds crying and lightning writhing in anguish are personified to show nature mourning the benefactor.

Contrast / Antithesis

Pannirandu kangalilae ... Ennirandu kangalilum

Contrasting Lord Murugan's twelve divine eyes with the devotee's two human eyes.

Did you know?

Trivia

Oli Vilakku (1968) was M. G. Ramachandran's milestone 100th film. Composed by M. S. Viswanathan, penned by Vaali, and sung soulfully by P. Susheela, this song is renowned for its intense emotional appeal and devotional depth.

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