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Lyrics & meaning

Jothi Sorupa

From Bhakta Prahlada · 1967

Lyricist
Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniam
Singers
P. Susheela, S. Janaki
Music director
S. Rajeswara Rao
Details
Bhakta Prahlada1967

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Ye jothi swaroopa naarayanaOh Narayana, the embodiment of divine light,
Female
Irulilum oli tharum iraivaa nee vaaOh God who bestows light even in darkness, please come!
Irulilum oli tharum iraivaa nee vaaOh God who bestows light even in darkness, please come!
Edhirpadum kaatchigal maayai thaaneThe sights that appear before us are mere illusion,
Edhirpadum kaatchigal maayai thaaneThe sights that appear before us are mere illusion,
Iraivanai ennaa maandhar manadhilIn the hearts of humans who do not contemplate God,
Inbathin aatchi thondraathallavaaThe reign of true happiness will never arise, will it?
Irulilum oli tharum iraivaa nee vaaOh God who bestows light even in darkness, please come!
Female
Perukku naan oru thaayaeyandriOther than being a mother merely in name,
Yarukkennaal aarudhalooTo whom can I ever offer true solace?
Perukku naan oru thaayaeyandriOther than being a mother merely in name,
Yarukkennaal aarudhalooTo whom can I ever offer true solace?
Baalanai anbaai kaathidum perumaiThe honor of lovingly protecting her young child,
Baalanai anbaai kaathidum perumaiThe honor of lovingly protecting her young child,
Bakkiyamillaa en vayittrinilaeIn my unfortunate womb,
Yenada kannae pirandhaaiWhy were you born, my beloved child?
Nee yenada kannae pirandhaaiWhy were you born, my beloved child?
Nee yenada kannae pirandhaaiWhy were you born, my beloved child?
Female
Annaiyumaagi uyirgal yaavumBecoming a mother as well to all living beings,
Annaiyumaagi uyirgal yaavumBecoming a mother as well to all living beings,
Aadharitharulbavan avanaeyandroIs He not the Supreme One who supports and blesses everyone?
Hari ennum devaamudha ninaivaeThe divine nectar-like remembrance of the name 'Hari',
Hari ennum devaamudha ninaivaeThe divine nectar-like remembrance of the name 'Hari',
Annamum paalum allavaa devaa…Is it not nourishment and milk itself, Oh Lord?
Female
Irulilum oli tharum iraivaa nee vaaOh God who bestows light even in darkness, please come!
Edhirpadum kaatchigal maayai thaaneThe sights that appear before us are mere illusion,
Iraivanai ennaa maandhar manadhilIn the hearts of humans who do not contemplate God,
Inbathin aatchi thondraathallavaaThe reign of true happiness will never arise, will it?
Irulilum oli tharum iraivaa nee vaaOh God who bestows light even in darkness, please come!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This soulful song from the 1967 film 'Bhakta Prahlada' expresses deep devotion and maternal sorrow. Prahlada's mother, Kayadhu, laments her inability to protect her pious child from the wrath of his demonic father, Hiranyakashipu, feeling that she is a mother only in name. She seeks solace in Lord Narayana, reflecting on the impermanence of worldly illusions ('Maayai') and recognizing that God alone is the ultimate divine mother who protects all living beings. The song emphasizes that devotion to Lord Hari acts as spiritual nourishment, bringing light into the deepest darkness.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Antithesis (Contrast)

Irulilum oli tharum iraivaa nee vaa

Contrasting 'Irul' (darkness) with 'Oli' (light) to signify divine illumination dispelling spiritual ignorance.

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Hari ennum devaamudha ninaivae / Annamum paalum allavaa devaa…

Comparing the remembrance of Lord Hari to 'Devaamudham' (divine nectar) and basic life nourishment ('Annamum paalum').

Monaai (Initial Rhyme/Alliteration)

Iraivanai ennaa maandhar manadhil / Inbathin aatchi thondraathallavaa

Repetition of the vowel sound 'I' at the beginning of words across consecutive lines (Irulilum, Iraivanai, Inbathin).

Did you know?

Trivia

The 1967 multilingual mythological epic 'Bhakta Prahlada' produced by AVM Productions was filmed simultaneously in Telugu, Tamil, and Hindi. The music composed by S. Rajeswara Rao was acclaimed across all languages for its classical depth and devotional devotion, with P. Susheela and S. Janaki delivering a memorable duet performance in Tamil.

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