- Lyricist
- Vallalar Ramalinga Adigal
- Singer
- T. R. Mahalingam
- Music director
- R. Sudharsanam
- Movie name
- Naam Iruvar – 1947 Film
- Movie release year
- 1947
- Lyrics added on
- 10 May 2020
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This immortal devotional verse was composed by Saint Vallalar (Ramalinga Adigal) from his spiritual masterpiece, Thiruvarutpa, and featured in the 1947 landmark film Naam Iruvar. Expressed through the traditional Tamil literary tradition of Nayaki-Nayaka Bhava (the soul as the bride longing for the Divine Groom), the poem uses rich, comforting natural imagery to praise the Supreme Lord. God is envisioned as a cool tree providing respite from the scorching summer heat, the ripe fruit beneath its shade, the sweet water flowing in a stream, the fragrant flower blooming within it, and the soothing evening breeze.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Edhugai (Second-letter rhyme)
“Kodaiyilae / Odaiyilae / Maedaiyilae / Aadaiyilae”
The second letter '-dai-' rhymes across the main stanzas: Kodaiyilae (summer), Odaiyilae (stream), Maedaiyilae (terrace), Aadaiyilae (attire).
Metaphor (Uruvam)
“Kodaiyilae ilaipaattri kollum vagai kidaitha kulir tharuvae”
The poet metaphorically compares the comforting, salvific nature of God to physical cooling elements: a tree in summer, running stream water, a fragrant lotus, and a gentle breeze.
Anaphora / Adukku Thodar (Repetition for musicality)
“Tharu nizhalae tharu nizhalae tharu nizhalae”
Repetition of words like 'Tharu nizhalae' and 'Manavaazha' creates emotional intensity and rhythmic musical flow.
Did you know?
Trivia
This song is originally a 19th-century holy hymn written by Vallalar (Ramalinga Swamigal) in his Thiruvarutpa. It was adapted into the 1947 Tamil movie 'Naam Iruvar', directed by A. V. Meiyappan, which played a pivotal role in popularizing devotional and nationalist arts during the Indian independence era.
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