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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kaasiyil Vaazhum Karunai Kadale

From Harichandra – 1968 Film · 1968

Lyricist
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Harichandra – 1968 Film1968

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kasiyil vaazhum karunai kadalaeO ocean of mercy dwelling in Kasi!
Kasiyil vaazhum karunai kadalaeO ocean of mercy dwelling in Kasi!
Kadai kann paaraai adaikalam neeyaeGlance at me with the corner of your eye; you are my sole refuge.
Kasiyil vaazhum karunai kadalaeO ocean of mercy dwelling in Kasi!
Chorus :Karunai kadalaeChorus: O ocean of mercy!
Male :Kadai kann paaraai adaikalam neeyaeMale: Glance at me with the corner of your eye; you are my sole refuge.
All :Kasiyil vaazhum karunai kadalaeAll: O ocean of mercy dwelling in Kasi!
Male
Pesidil unnai polae deivam undooIf truth be told, is there any god equal to you?
Pesidil unnai polae deivam undooIf truth be told, is there any god equal to you?
Per arul purinthae en thuyar theeraaiBestow your supreme grace and end my sorrow!
Per arul purinthae en thuyar theeraaiBestow your supreme grace and end my sorrow!
Kasiyil vaazhum karunai kadalaeO ocean of mercy dwelling in Kasi!
Chorus :Karunai kadalaeChorus: O ocean of mercy!
Male
Thanjam endrae unnai nambi vandhenI came trusting you as my only sanctuary,
Nenjam punnaagi miga nondhenMy heart is wounded and deeply distressed.
Thanjam endrae unnai nambi vandhenI came trusting you as my only sanctuary,
Nenjam punnaagi miga nondhenMy heart is wounded and deeply distressed.
Sanjalam theera vishvanaathaa…aaa….aa…To relieve my agony, O Vishwanatha...
Sanjalam theera sathiyam nilai peraTo relieve my distress and establish truth,
Anjael en abayam arulvaai devaGrant me protection, saying 'Fear not', O Lord!
Anjael en abayam arulvaai devaGrant me protection, saying 'Fear not', O Lord!
Male
Kasiyil vaazhum karunai kadalaeO ocean of mercy dwelling in Kasi!
Kadai kann paaraai adaikalam neeyaeGlance at me with the corner of your eye; you are my sole refuge.
All :Kasiyil vaazhum karunai kadalaeAll: O ocean of mercy dwelling in Kasi!
Male :Karunai kadalaeMale: O ocean of mercy!
Chorus :Karunai kadalaeChorus: O ocean of mercy!
Male :Karunai kadalaeMale: O ocean of mercy!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This soulful devotional song is a passionate plea to Lord Vishwanatha (Shiva), the presiding deity of the holy city of Kasi (Varanasi). The singer, enduring immense suffering, surrenders completely to the Almighty, describing Him as a vast 'ocean of mercy' (Karunai Kadal). He begs for a single compassionate glance to heal his wounded heart, eradicate his sorrows, and uphold the power of truth (Sathiyam). By repeatedly seeking sanctuary ('Adaikalam' and 'Thanjam'), the protagonist pleads for divine protection ('Abayam') and reassurance against despair.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uruvagamy (Metaphor / உருவகம்)

Kasiyil vaazhum karunai kadalae

Lord Shiva's infinite compassion is metaphorically addressed as 'Karunai Kadalae' (Ocean of Mercy).

Monaai (Initial Alliteration / மோனை)

Kasiyil vaazhum karunai kadalae

Repetition of the initial 'Ka' sound across words in the line ('Kasiyil', 'karunai', 'kadalae').

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme / எதுகை)

Thanjam endrae unnai nambi vandhen / Nenjam punnaagi miga nondhen

Consonance of the second letter 'njam' in consecutive lines ('Thanjam' / 'Nenjam').

Vinaa Porul (Rhetorical Question)

Pesidil unnai polae deivam undoo

A rhetorical query emphasizing the supreme and unparalleled nature of the deity.

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Trivia

This track belongs to the 1968 Tamil mythological film 'Harichandra', depicting the life of King Harishchandra who underwent extreme trials to uphold truth (Sathiyam). Written by renowned lyricist Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass, the song captures the pivotal moment of divine surrender where the protagonist prays at Kasi to Lord Vishwanatha to maintain his vow of truthfulness amidst unbearable hardships.

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