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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kannil Theriyum Kaatchiyil Ellaam

From Swami Ayyappan · 1975

Lyricist
Sreekumaran Thampi
Singers
K. J. Yesudas, Chorus
Music director
G. Devarajan
Details
Swami Ayyappan1975

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Guroor brahmmaaGuru is Brahma
Chorus
Guroor brahmmaaGuru is Brahma
Male
Guroor vishnuGuru is Vishnu
Chorus
Guroor vishnuGuru is Vishnu
Male
Guroor dhaevo maheshwaraaGuru is the Lord Maheshwara (Shiva)
Chorus
Guroor dhaevo maheshwaraaGuru is the Lord Maheshwara (Shiva)
Male
Guroor saakshaath para brahmmaaGuru is the supreme Brahman manifest
Chorus
Guroor saakshaath para brahmmaaGuru is the supreme Brahman manifest
Male
Thasmayisree guravae namahaaSalutations to that revered Guru
Chorus
Thasmayisree guravae namahaaSalutations to that revered Guru
Male
Kannil theriyum kaatchiyil ellaamIn every sight that meets the eyes
Kadavul irukkindraarGod exists
Avar karunai ullavar irakkam ullavarHe is full of grace and merciful
Manadhil irukkindraarHe resides in the heart
Chorus
Kannil theriyum kaatchiyil ellaamIn every sight that meets the eyes
Kadavul irukkindraarGod exists
Avar karunai ullavar irakkam ullavarHe is full of grace and merciful
Manadhil irukkindraarHe resides in the heart
Male
Ennum ezhuthum katravar vaazhvilIn the lives of those who learned numbers and letters
Munnae nirkindraarHe stands at the forefront
Avar ezhuthariyaadha manidharukkellaamAnd for all those illiterate people who do not know letters
Ezhuthaai nirkindraarHe stands as the literacy itself
Ezhuthaai nirkindraarHe stands as the literacy itself
Chorus
Kannil theriyum kaatchiyil ellaamIn every sight that meets the eyes
Kadavul irukkindraarGod exists
Avar karunai ullavar irakkam ullavarHe is full of grace and merciful
Manadhil irukkindraarHe resides in the heart
Male
Kaalgal illaatha mudavarukkellaamFor the crippled who do not have legs
Kaalaai varugindraarHe comes as their legs
Avar kaigal illaatha oonarukkellaamFor the disabled who do not have hands
Kaigal tharugindraarHe grants hands
Kaigal tharugindraarHe grants hands
Chorus
Kannil theriyum kaatchiyil ellaamIn every sight that meets the eyes
Kadavul irukkindraarGod exists
Avar karunai ullavar irakkam ullavarHe is full of grace and merciful
Manadhil irukkindraarHe resides in the heart
Male
Vaazha theriyaa manidharukkellaamFor all those people who do not know how to live
Vaazhvai alikkindraarHe grants a meaningful life
Avar vaai paesaadha oomaigatkellaamFor all the mute who cannot speak
Vaarthaigal tharugindraarHe bestows words
Vaarthaigal tharugindraarHe bestows words
Chorus
Chinnanchiruvan vadivil irukkum deivam ayyappaLord Ayyappa who appears in the form of a young child
Un peyaral oomaiyai pesa vaithaaiyae anbae ayyappaIn your name, you made the mute speak, O beloved Ayyappa
Innum palarai vaazha vaippaayae engal ayyappaYou will make many more people live happily, our Ayyappa
Nee iraivan kodutha varamo engal ayyappaAre you a boon gifted by the Almighty, our Ayyappa?
Chorus
Ayyappa swami ayyappaLord Ayyappa, Swami Ayyappa
Ayyappa saranam ayyappaAyyappa, refuge in Ayyappa

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Kannil Theriyum Kaatchiyil Ellaam is a deeply devotional track from the 1975 classic film Swami Ayyappan. The song opens with the sacred Guru Brahma Sanskrit chant, establishing the high spiritual foundation of seeking divine light through the teacher. The main Tamil verses emphasize the omnipresence, compassion, and divine grace of Lord Ayyappan, highlighting that God resides within every compassionate heart and in every creation of nature. The lyrics narrate how Lord Ayyappa acts as a benevolent savior to the helpless and infirm—giving legs to the lame, hands to the disabled, guidance to the illiterate, and words to the mute. The song concludes with a passionate prayer of devotion to the child deity Lord Ayyappa, praising his miraculous acts and surrender to his lotus feet.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Anaphora / Refrain

Kannil theriyum kaatchiyil ellaam

The line 'Kannil theriyum kaatchiyil ellaam / Kadavul irukkindraar' repeats periodically throughout the song to emphasize God's omnipresence.

Metaphor

Ezhuthaai nirkindraar

The deity is metaphorically described as becoming the literal limb or ability for those who lack them ('Kaalaai varugindraar', 'Ezhuthaai nirkindraar').

Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Ennum ezhuthum katravar vaazhvil

The second consonant 'n' or 'l' creates a rhythmic harmony in Tamil poetry structure (e.g., Kannil / Ennum).

Did you know?

Trivia

Swami Ayyappan (1975) was a landmark socio-religious film directed by P. Subramaniam, produced in both Tamil and Malayalam simultaneously. The soundtrack for the film was composed by the legendary G. Devarajan Master, contributing significantly to the popularization of Ayyappa devotional music in South India.

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