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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Isaiyai Thamizhai

From Agathiyar · 1972

Lyricist
K. D. Santhanam
Singers
T. R. Mahalingam, Sirkazhi Govindarajan
Music director
Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan
Details
Agathiyar1972

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
IsaiyaaiAs music
Male :ThamizhaaiAs Tamil
Both :Iruppavanae….. aaaaa….Oh one who exists as both... aaah...
Innisaiyaai senthamizhaai iruppavanaeOh Lord who exists as sweet music and pure Tamil!
Engum sivamayamaai nilaippavanae…Oh Lord who eternally resides everywhere as Lord Shiva!
Nilaippavanae…Oh Lord who eternally abides...
Iga para sugam arul parama karunai vadivaeOh embodiment of supreme compassion who bestows earthly and heavenly pleasures!
Innisaiyaai senthamizhaai iruppavanaeOh Lord who exists as sweet music and pure Tamil!
Engum sivamayamaai nilaippavanae nilaippavanaeOh Lord who eternally resides everywhere as Lord Shiva, who eternally abides!
Miga pala sugam arul parama karunai vadivaeOh embodiment of supreme compassion who grants immense blessings and happiness!
Innisaiyaai senthamizhaai iruppavanae…..Oh Lord who exists as sweet music and pure Tamil...
Male
VaanavarThe heavenly gods
Male
GnyaaniyarThe enlightened sages
Male
VaazhthidumWho praise and worship
Male
Vadivinai udaiyaaiYou possess such a divine form
Male
Arutperum chudaraaiOh supreme radiant flame of grace!
Male
Nandhi daevanodu indhiraadhiyarumAlong with Lord Nandi, Indra and the celestial deities
Vandhu thaalinai vanangidavaeCome to bow down at your sacred feet
Male
Aaa aaa……aaa…aa…..aa….aa….aa…[Vocalizing melody]
Male
Nandhi daevanodu indhiraadhiyarumAlong with Lord Nandi, Indra and the celestial deities
Vandhu thaalinai vanangidavaeCome to bow down at your sacred feet
Male
Thandhai maamuganum vindhai vaelguganumFather of the elephant-faced Ganesha and the wondrous spear-holding Murugan
Sandhamaar thamizh muzhangidavaeAs rhythmical Tamil resounds in praise
Male
Aaa aaa……aaa…aa…..aa….aa….aa…[Vocalizing melody]
Male
Thandhai maamuganum vindhai vaelguganumFather of the elephant-faced Ganesha and the wondrous spear-holding Murugan
Sandhamaar thamizh muzhangidavaeAs rhythmical Tamil resounds in praise
Male
Endha vaelaiyum marandhidaadhu maraiWithout forgetting at any given moment, the Vedic scripture-singing
Sindhu naanmugan panindhidavaeFour-faced Brahma bows down in reverence
Male
Sandhavaar kuzhalai indhu naer vadhaniWith fragrant dark tresses and a moon-like face
Mangalaambigai magizhndhidavaeGoddess Mangalambigai rejoices in delight
Male
Kavinuru mugam adhu ilanagaiyaeA beautiful face adorned with a gentle smile
Male
Kanivuru vizhigalil arul mazhaiyaeEyes filled with tenderness raining grace upon all
Male
Suvai pada varuvadhum edhir suramaeMusical notes flowing naturally with sublime sweetness
Male
Sulai ena mozhivadhu uyar thamizhaiSpeaking exalted Tamil sweet as delicious fruit pulp
Male
MandhiramaaiAs a sacred mantra
Male
Maa thavamaaiAs great penance
Male
ThandhiramaaiAs spiritual technique
Male
ThaaragamaaiAs the ultimate guiding force
Male
VaanavarThe heavenly gods
Male
GnyaaniyarThe enlightened sages
Male
VaazhthidumWho praise and worship
Male
Vadivinai udaiyaaiYou possess such a divine form
Male
Arutperum chudaraaiOh supreme radiant flame of grace!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This devotional hymn from the movie Agathiyar praises Lord Shiva as the personification of sweet music and refined Tamil language. It glorifies Him as the omnipresent divinity, the ultimate embodiment of mercy, who bestows joy in both the physical world and the afterlife. The lyrics describe how celestial beings, sages, Lord Indra, Lord Nandi, Brahma, and His family including Lord Ganesha, Lord Murugan, and Goddess Mangalambigai revere His radiant form while rhythmic Tamil chants echo His glory.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)

Mandhiramaai / Maa thavamaai / Thandhiramaai

Matching second consonants across lines, such as 'Innisaiyaai' and 'Engum' (n-sound sequence/harmony) or 'Mandhiramaai', 'Thandhiramaai'.

Metaphor (Uruvagamdhu)

Innisaiyaai senthamizhaai iruppavanae

Equating Lord Shiva directly with the essence of music (Isai) and the divine language of Tamil (Thamizh).

Alliteration (Monaai)

Kavinuru mugam adhu ilanagaiyae / Kanivuru vizhigalil arul mazhaiyae

Repetition of initial consonants like 'K' in 'Kavinuru' and 'Kanivuru'.

Did you know?

Trivia

This song from the mythological movie 'Agathiyar' (1972) was composed by Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan and sung brilliantly by T. R. Mahalingam and Sirkazhi Govindarajan. It highlights the classical belief that Lord Shiva created and embodies the Tamil language alongside Carnatic music.

Keep listening

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