- Lyricist
- Kambadasan
- Singer
- Jikki
- Music director
- P. Aadhinarayana Rao
- Movie name
- Mayakkari
- Movie release year
- 1951
- Lyrics added on
- 7 Mar 2021
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
The song 'Janani Oo Janani' from the 1951 film Mayakkari is a soul-stirring devotional prayer addressed to the Divine Mother Goddess (Parvati/Bhavani). The singer praises the goddess using sacred epithets such as Kalyani (auspicious one), Mangala Tharani (bearer of good fortune), and Rajeeva Vadhani (lotus-faced one), offering complete faith and devotion as her servant. She expresses immense gratitude to the Divine Mother for granting her beloved partner and celebrates the goddess's boundless grace, noting that she showers prosperity and protective maternal affection on all devotees who seek her with pure hearts.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Anaphora / Repetition
“Janani oo janani janani oo janani”
The word 'Janani' (Mother) is repeated rhythmically throughout the song to emphasize deep emotional devotion and surrender.
Epithet (Divine Titles)
“Janani oo janani mangala thaarani”
The lyricist uses traditional Sanskritized Tamil epithets like 'Mangala Thaarani' (bearer of auspiciousness) and 'Magaesan Raani' (Queen of Lord Shiva) to glorify the deity.
Ethukai (Second-letter Assonance / Harmony)
“Kori bhakthiyaai thozhudhiduvorkku / Kodi pon arulum thaayae”
The Tamil poetic harmony of matching second consonants ('ri' in Kori and 'di' in Kodi) creates a pleasant rhythmic beat.
Metaphor / Visual Imagery
“Kunguma thaarani raajeeva vadhani oo oo oo”
'Rajeeva Vadhani' (lotus-faced) uses poetic imagery comparing the serene divine face of the goddess to a blooming lotus.
Did you know?
Trivia
Mayakkari (1951) was a popular fantasy film produced under Anjali Pictures by veteran composer P. Adinarayana Rao, starring his wife, the celebrated actress Anjali Devi. The song highlights playback singer Jikki's early classical versatility and mastery over devotional melodies.
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