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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kadhalaagi

From Thiruvarutchelvar · 1967

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, Master Maharajan
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Thiruvarutchelvar1967

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kaadhalaagi kasindhu…Melted with deep love and devotion...
Kanneer malgiWith tears brimming in their eyes...
Odhuvaar thammai…Those who chant and meditate upon...
Nanneri puippadhuGuiding them onto the righteous path...
Vaedham naangilum…In all the four sacred Vedas...
Mei porulaavadhuThat which stands as the true ultimate reality...
Naadhan naamam namachivaayavae…Is the Lord's holy name, Namachivaya...
Ae… ae… ae… ae…ae…ae…ae…ae…ae…ae…ae..(Melodic vocalizations)
Ae…ae..ae..ae…a.e..ae…ae…ae…ae…ae…ae…(Melodic vocalizations)
Male
Maasil veenaiyum…Like the flawless music of a Veena...
Maalai madhiyamum…Like the soothing evening moon...
Veesu thendralum…Like the cool blowing breeze...
Veengila vaenilumLike the fresh warmth of early spring...
Male
Maasil veenaiyum…Like the flawless music of a Veena...
Maalai madhiyamum…Like the soothing evening moon...
Veesu thendralum…Like the cool blowing breeze...
Veengila vaenilumLike the fresh warmth of early spring...
Male
Moosu vandaraiLike a lotus pond swarmed by humming bees...
Pogaiyai pondradhaeSuch profound peace is found...
Eesan endhai inaiyadi nizhalae… ae…Under the shade of the twin feet of my Lord and Father Shiva...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This iconic devotional medley from the movie Thiruvarutchelvar brings together sacred Thirumurai hymns written by ancient Tamil Saivite saints. The first part, 'Kaadhalaagi Kasindhu', highlights that for devotees who chant the five-letter mantra 'Namachivaya' with tears of love and devotion, the mantra serves as the core truth of the four Vedas and guides them toward spiritual liberation. The second part, 'Maasil Veenaiyum', uses poetic imagery—comparing the shelter of Lord Shiva's feet to pleasant sensory delights like pure Veena music, the evening moon, a cool breeze, early spring, and a bee-filled pond—to describe the ultimate peace and comfort found in divine refuge.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uwamai (Simile)

Maasil veenaiyum... Pogaiyai pondradhae

The poet compares the soothing shade of Lord Shiva's feet to pleasant experiences such as flawless veena music, the evening moon, a soft breeze, spring season, and a cool pond using the comparative suffix 'pondradhae'.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Naadhan naamam namachivaayavae…

Repetition of the 'Na' sound across words in the line creates a pleasing rhythmic and sacred cadence.

Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyming)

Maasil veenaiyum... / Veesu thendralum... / Moosu vandarai

Rhyming of the second letter 's' in 'Maasil', 'Veesu', and 'Moosu' across consecutive verses creates musical harmony.

Did you know?

Trivia

These lines are ancient 7th-century Thirumurai hymns composed by Saivite saints Thirugnanasambandar ('Kaadhalaagi kasindhu') and Appar / Thirunavukkarasar ('Maasil veenaiyum'). In the film Thiruvarutchelvar (1967), starring Sivaji Ganesan, these classic verses were set to music by legendary composer K. V. Mahadevan.

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