Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kalaimagale Unnai Azhaigindren

From Vadivangal · 1982

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
Vani Jairam
Music director
Chandrabose
Details
Vadivangal1982

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
…………..
Female
Kalaimagale unnai azhaigindrenO Goddess of Arts, I call upon you,
Kaaviya suvaiyinai arigindrenI experience the rich essence of epic poetry,
Nilaiyaai isaiyudan inainthavalaiOf her who is permanently united with music,
Naan paadugindrenI sing of her.
Female
Kalaimagale unnai azhaigindrenO Goddess of Arts, I call upon you.
Chorus
…………..
Female
Naattiya kalaiyae abhinayamaagumThe art of dance itself becomes expressive gesture,
Nangaiyin mozhiye kavi nayamaagumThe maiden's words turn into poetic beauty,
Naattiya kalaiyae abhinayamaagumThe art of dance itself becomes expressive gesture,
Nangaiyin mozhiye kavi nayamaagumThe maiden's words turn into poetic beauty,
Female
Kalaimagale unnai azhaigindrenO Goddess of Arts, I call upon you.
Chorus
…………….
Female
Thaamarai malaril vandugal aadumBees dance upon the lotus flowers,
Thai thai endraey jadhi swaram paadumSinging rhythmic solfa syllables with the beat 'Thai Thai',
Thaamarai malaril vandugal aadumBees dance upon the lotus flowers,
Thai thai endraey jadhi swaram paadumSinging rhythmic solfa syllables with the beat 'Thai Thai',
Female
Malai meedhu thavazhnthaadum ven megangalWhite clouds crawl and dance atop the mountains,
Mayilaada nindraadum poonjolaigalIn flower gardens where peacocks sway in dance,
Malai meedhu thavazhnthaadum ven megangalWhite clouds crawl and dance atop the mountains,
Mayilaada nindraadum poonjolaigalIn flower gardens where peacocks sway in dance,
Female
Kalaimagalae unnai azhaigindrenO Goddess of Arts, I call upon you,
Kaaviya suvaiyinai arigindrenI experience the rich essence of epic poetry,
Nilaiyaai isaiyudan inainthavalaiOf her who is permanently united with music,
Naan paadugindrenI sing of her.
Female
Kalaimagale unnai azhaigindrenO Goddess of Arts, I call upon you.
Chorus
…………….

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Kalaimagale Unnai Azhaigindren is a classical composition dedicated to Goddess Saraswati (Kalaimagal), the deity of knowledge, music, and performance arts. Lyricist Vaali weaves classical dance terminology like Abhinaya and Jadhiswaram alongside vivid imagery of nature to pay tribute to the divine source of artistic inspiration. The song depicts nature as an eternal stage where bees buzzing around lotuses mimic rhythmic solfa dance syllables, clouds gently dance over mountain peaks, and peacocks adorn lush gardens. Through Vani Jairam's soulful vocals, the singer invokes the Goddess, celebrating the deep connection between poetic beauty, music, and divine grace.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Refrain (Pallavi repetition)

Kalaimagale unnai azhaigindren

The line 'Kalaimagale unnai azhaigindren' is repeated at the end of each stanza to anchor the devotional calling and reinforce the song's theme.

Personification (Uruvagam)

Thaamarai malaril vandugal aadum / Thai thai endraey jadhi swaram paadum

Bees dancing on lotus blooms are personified as classical performers reciting rhythmic 'jadhi swaram' dance syllables.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Naattiya kalaiyae abhinayamaagum / Nangaiyin mozhiye kavi nayamaagum

The rhyming end sounds in 'abhinayamaagum' and 'kavi nayamaagum' create a lyrical harmony matching classical dance cadences.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Chandrabose for the 1982 film Vadivangal, this track stands out as a classical gem in Vani Jairam's discography, highlighting her impeccable command over Carnatic nuances and rhythmic jathis within a film soundtrack.

Keep listening

More from Vadivangal