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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Janani O Janani

From Mayakkari · 1951

Lyricist
Kambadasan
Singer
Jikki
Music director
P. Aadhinarayana Rao
Details
Mayakkari1951

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Janani oo janani janani oo jananiO Mother, oh Mother, Mother, oh Mother!
Oo oo oo oo janani kalyaniOh Mother Kalyani, the auspicious one!
Janani oo janani mangala thaaraniO Mother, oh Mother, bearer of good fortune!
Magaesan raani magaesan raaniQueen of Lord Maheswara, Queen of Maheswara!
Oo oo oo janani oo jananiOh Mother, oh Mother!
Female
Nambhinen unnaiyae naanaeI have placed all my trust in you alone,
Un thaasi naanaeI am your humble servant.
Nambhinen unnaiyae naanae bavaniI trusted you alone, O Bhavani!
En manoharanai koduthanaiyaeYou gave me my beloved husband.
Female
Kori bhakthiyaai thozhudhiduvorkkuTo those who pray with earnest devotion,
Kodi pon arulum thaayaeO Mother, you bestow millions in gold!
Kori bhakthiyaai thozhudhiduvorkkuTo those who pray with earnest devotion,
Kodi pon arulum thaayae oo oo ooO Mother, you bestow millions in gold, oh!
Janani oo jananiO Mother, oh Mother!
Female
Kaappattru ennai eendra annaiyaaiProtect me like the mother who gave birth to me,
Karunai maeviya saroj annaiyaeO merciful Mother, who sits upon the lotus!
Punniyamudanae prathi proshanai seiyavaeTo bless me virtuously with your divine grace,
Kunguma thaarani raajeeva vadhani oo oo ooBearer of vermillion, lotus-faced goddess, oh!
Female
Janani oo janani janani janani jananiO Mother, oh Mother, Mother, Mother, Mother!
Oo oo janani janani janani jananiOh, O Mother, Mother, Mother, Mother!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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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