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Swami Ayyappan album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Kannil Theriyum Kaatchiyil Ellaam

From Swami Ayyappan · 1975

Lyricist
Sreekumaran Thampi
Singers
K. J. Yesudas, Chorus
Music director
G. Devarajan
Movie name
Swami Ayyappan
Movie release year
1975
Lyrics added on
27 Jun 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Guroor brahmmaa
Guroor brahmmaa
Guroor vishnu
Guroor vishnu
Guroor dhaevo maheshwaraa
Guroor dhaevo maheshwaraa
Guroor saakshaath para brahmmaa
Guroor saakshaath para brahmmaa
Thasmayisree guravae namahaa
Thasmayisree guravae namahaa
Kannil theriyum kaatchiyil ellaam
Kadavul irukkindraar
Avar karunai ullavar irakkam ullavar
Manadhil irukkindraar
Kannil theriyum kaatchiyil ellaam
Kadavul irukkindraar
Avar karunai ullavar irakkam ullavar
Manadhil irukkindraar
Ennum ezhuthum katravar vaazhvil
Munnae nirkindraar
Avar ezhuthariyaadha manidharukkellaam
Ezhuthaai nirkindraar
Ezhuthaai nirkindraar
Kannil theriyum kaatchiyil ellaam
Kadavul irukkindraar
Avar karunai ullavar irakkam ullavar
Manadhil irukkindraar
Kaalgal illaatha mudavarukkellaam
Kaalaai varugindraar
Avar kaigal illaatha oonarukkellaam
Kaigal tharugindraar
Kaigal tharugindraar
Kannil theriyum kaatchiyil ellaam
Kadavul irukkindraar
Avar karunai ullavar irakkam ullavar
Manadhil irukkindraar
Vaazha theriyaa manidharukkellaam
Vaazhvai alikkindraar
Avar vaai paesaadha oomaigatkellaam
Vaarthaigal tharugindraar
Vaarthaigal tharugindraar
Chinnanchiruvan vadivil irukkum deivam ayyappa
Un peyaral oomaiyai pesa vaithaaiyae anbae ayyappa
Innum palarai vaazha vaippaayae engal ayyappa
Nee iraivan kodutha varamo engal ayyappa
Ayyappa swami ayyappa
Ayyappa saranam ayyappa
The Guru is Brahma, the creator
The Guru is Brahma, the creator
The Guru is Vishnu, the protector
The Guru is Vishnu, the protector
The Guru is Lord Shiva, the destroyer
The Guru is Lord Shiva, the destroyer
The Guru is the supreme truth itself
The Guru is the supreme truth itself
Salutations to that noble Guru
Salutations to that noble Guru
In every sight that meets the eye
God is present
He is kind and full of mercy
He lives within the heart
In every sight that meets the eye
God is present
He is kind and full of mercy
He lives within the heart
In the lives of those blessed with learning
He stands in front as their guide
And for all those who cannot read or write
He stands as knowledge itself
He stands as knowledge itself
In every sight that meets the eye
God is present
He is kind and full of mercy
He lives within the heart
For the lame who have no legs
He comes to be their legs
For those who have lost their hands
He provides their hands
He provides their hands
In every sight that meets the eye
God is present
He is kind and full of mercy
He lives within the heart
For all people who do not know how to live
He gives a meaningful life
For all the mute who cannot speak
He gives the gift of words
He gives the gift of words
Lord Ayyappa, the god in the form of a little boy
In your holy name, you made the mute speak, beloved Ayyappa
You will bless many more with life, our Ayyappa
Are you a boon granted by God, our Ayyappa?
Ayyappa, Lord Ayyappa
Ayyappa, I surrender to you, Ayyappa
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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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