Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Koodalaar Koodum

From Sakthi Leelai · 1972

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
K. B. Sundarambal
Music director
T. K. Ramamoorthy
Details
Sakthi Leelai1972

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kodalaar koodumoru kumarimunai orathilOn the shore of Kanyakumari cape where waters converge,
Kudikonda thangamayilaeO Golden Peacock residing there as the presiding deity,
Kottravan thenpaandi muthukalaal aadum oruThe land of the maiden who sways with pearls of the southern Pandyan king,
Kumarikku undhan peyaraeBears your very name!
Kumarikku undhan peyaraeBears your very name!
Female
Aathvan udhayamum asthamana samayamumAt the time of the sun's rising and setting,
Amaikkindra kadalin arugaeBeside the ocean that accommodates both sights,
Azhagaana thamizh ulagam vazhikaana vandhadhoruTo show the path to the beautiful Tamil world,
Anbaana kumari malaraeYou arrived as a loving virgin flower, O Goddess!
Female
Nadaatha pergalum naaduvaar paaduvaarEven those who cannot walk will seek and sing of you,
Naadunandhan kannilammaYou are the light of the nation's eyes, O Mother!
Nangai nee vadadhisai thirumbhinaal imayathilO Maiden, if you turn your gaze toward the northern direction, in the Himalayas,
Naayagan uruvamammaStands the form of your divine Lord, O Mother!
Female
Kothaiyin mookuthi kulir kadalil varugindraThe shining nose-ring of the maiden, across the cool ocean,
Padagaiyum kaakum ammaProtects even the passing boats, O Mother!
Kodaana kodi uyir koottangal koodi unnaiCrores and crores of living beings gather together,
Kumbittu vaazhthum ammaTo bow down, worship, and praise you, O Mother!
Kumbittu vaazhthum ammaTo bow down, worship, and praise you, O Mother!
Kumbittu vaazhthum ammaTo bow down, worship, and praise you, O Mother!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic devotional song from 'Sakthi Leelai' (1972), sung powerfully by K. B. Sundarambal, honors Goddess Kanya Kumari stationed at the southern tip of the Indian peninsula. Lyricist Kannadasan vividly captures the divine geographical significance of Kanyakumari, where both sunrise and sunset can be viewed over the meeting oceans, linking the Goddess to Tamil heritage, Pandyan pearls, and spiritual guidance. The lyrics highlight the popular temple legend regarding the Goddess's brilliant diamond nose-ring, which shines brightly across the ocean and guides seafaring ships safely. Kannadasan also creates a spiritual bridge spanning the geography of India, connecting Goddess Kumari in the south with her consort Lord Shiva residing in the northern Himalayas.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Aathvan udhayamum asthamana samayamum / Amaikkindra kadalin arugae

Repetition of the initial 'A' sound across consecutive lines ('Aathvan', 'Amaikkindra', 'Azhagaana', 'Anbaana').

Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Nadaatha pergalum naaduvaar paaduvaar

Repetition of 'da' sound as the second letter in consecutive words/lines ('Nadaatha', 'Naaduvaar').

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Kudikonda thangamayilae / Anbaana kumari malarae

Addressing the Goddess as a 'Golden Peacock' (Thangamayil) and 'Virgin Flower' (Kumari Malar) to signify purity, beauty, and grace.

Cultural & Mythological Allusion

Kothaiyin mookuthi kulir kadalil varugindra padagaiyum kaakum amma

Reference to the famous legend where the brilliant ray from Goddess Kanyakumari's nose-ring serves as a beacon light for ships in the ocean.

Did you know?

Trivia

The line 'Kothaiyin mookuthi kulir kadalil varugindra padagaiyum kaakum' references a famous temple legend: the diamond nose-ring of Goddess Kanya Kumari shines so brilliantly that ancient mariners mistook it for a lighthouse beacon. According to myth, after ships repeatedly wrecked by navigating toward the light, the eastern door facing the ocean was permanently closed and is opened only on specific festive days.

Keep listening

More from Sakthi Leelai