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Thiru Neelakandar album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Kadalil Vizhundha

From Thiru Neelakandar · 1972

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. R. Mahalingam
Music director
C. N. Pandurangan
Movie name
Thiru Neelakandar
Movie release year
1972
Lyrics added on
24 May 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kadalil vizhuntha orr kaakkaiyai paarththathum
Karai solla vanthavan neelakandam
Kadalil vizhuntha orr kaakkaiyai paarththathum
Karai solla vanthavan neelakandam
Kanal padum paambukkum karaiyinil meenukkum
Thunai kondu vanthavan neelakandam
Thunai kondu vanthavan neelakandam
Kadalil vizhuntha orr kaakkaiyai paarththathum
Karai solla vanthavan neelakandam
Acham bayam endru anji nindroridam
Acham bayam endru anji nindroridam
Achamayam varuvan neelakandam
Tharsamayam enakku sirsabai naayagan
Tharsamayam enakku sirsabai naayagan
Thannabayam tharuvaan neelakandam
Thannabayam tharuvaan neelakandam
Kadalil vizhuntha orr kaakkaiyai paarththathum
Karai solla vanthavan neelakandam
Neerinilae piranthu neruppinilae mudikkum
Neela perungkathaiyae neelakandam
Neruppai anaikkum munnae
Iruppathu ennavendru
Poruppai koduththu vittaen neelakandam
Kadalil vizhuntha orr kaakkaiyai paarththathum
Karai solla vanthavan neelakandam
Mogaththiruntha ennai
Monaththil moozhaga vaiththu
Mogaththiruntha ennai
Monaththil moozhaga vaiththu
Yogaththai thantharulvaan neelakandam
Thegaththil ulla pasi theernthathu theernthathendru
Thegaththil ulla pasi theernthathu theernthathendru
Nyaana pasiyai vaippaan neelakandam
Nyaana pasiyai vaippaan neelakandam
Kadalil vizhuntha orr kaakkaiyai paarththathum
Karai solla vanthavan neelakandam
Neelakandam neelakandam neelakandam
Neelakandam neelakandam neelakandam
Seeing a crow that fell into the ocean,
He who came to guide it to the shore is Neelakandan.
Seeing a crow that fell into the ocean,
He who came to guide it to the shore is Neelakandan.
For the snake caught in fire and the fish stranded on the shore,
He came bringing refuge, He is Neelakandan.
He came bringing refuge, He is Neelakandan.
Seeing a crow that fell into the ocean,
He who came to guide it to the shore is Neelakandan.
To those who stand trembling in dread and fear,
To those who stand trembling in dread and fear,
At that very moment, Neelakandan will arrive.
Right now, to me, the Lord of the sacred court,
Right now, to me, the Lord of the sacred court,
Neelakandan will grant His protective shelter.
Neelakandan will grant His protective shelter.
Seeing a crow that fell into the ocean,
He who came to guide it to the shore is Neelakandan.
Born in water and ending in fire,
This long, great journey of life is Neelakandan.
Before that fire is put out,
To know what truly remains,
I have handed over all responsibility to Neelakandan.
Seeing a crow that fell into the ocean,
He who came to guide it to the shore is Neelakandan.
Me, who was trapped in desire,
Immersing me in deep, sacred silence,
Me, who was trapped in desire,
Immersing me in deep, sacred silence,
Neelakandan will bless me with divine union.
Saying that bodily hunger has finally ended,
Saying that bodily hunger has finally ended,
Neelakandan will awaken a hunger for wisdom.
Neelakandan will awaken a hunger for wisdom.
Seeing a crow that fell into the ocean,
He who came to guide it to the shore is Neelakandan.
Neelakandan, Neelakandan, Neelakandan,
Neelakandan, Neelakandan, Neelakandan.
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This devotional song from the 1972 movie 'Thiru Neelakandar' is a profound hymn of surrender to Lord Shiva (Neelakandan). The lyricist Kannadasan uses vivid imagery to illustrate divine compassion: just as Lord Shiva guides a helpless drowning crow to shore or protects creatures in distress, He rescues souls lost in the ocean of worldly delusion (Samsara). The song highlights the transformation of a human soul from worldly attachments (Moga) to silent meditation (Mona) and spiritual union (Yoga). The singer reflects on the transient nature of mortal life—born in water and consumed by fire—and expresses total surrender of personal ego and duty to the divine. Ultimately, Lord Shiva fulfills physical needs only to replace them with a higher, spiritual hunger for divine wisdom (Jnana Pasi), leading the devotee to complete liberation and fearlessness.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

“Kadalil vizhuntha orr kaakkaiyai paarththathum”

The 'crow falling into the ocean' represents a human soul helpless and drowning in the vast ocean of worldly existence (Samsara).

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

“Mogaththiruntha ennai / Monaththil moozhaga vaiththu”

Repetition of initial consonant sounds like 'Mo' in 'Mogaththiruntha' and 'Monaththil'.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme / Refrain)

“Karai solla vanthavan neelakandam”

The line ending and refrain 'Neelakandam' recurs throughout the poem to emphasize the deity's sacred name.

Contrast (Antithesis)

“Nyaana pasiyai vaippaan neelakandam”

Contrasts bodily hunger ('Thegaththil ulla pasi') with spiritual hunger for enlightenment ('Nyaana pasi').

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Thiru Neelakandar' (1972) chronicles the life of Tirunilakanta Nayanar, one of the 63 prominent Nayanmars of Shaivism. The legendary actor-singer T. R. Mahalingam played the main character and sang his own classical tracks. Kannadasan's lyrics seamlessly integrate core Saiva Siddhanta philosophy into accessible poetic metaphors.

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