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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kovil Muluthum Kanden

From Thai Ullam · 1952

Lyricist
Kavimani Desigavinayagam Pillai
Singer
M. L. Vasanthakumari
Music directors
Chittor V. Nagaiah, A. Rama Rao
Details
Thai Ullam1952

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Aaa….aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…aa…Aaa... (Vocalizing)
Haaa….aaa…aaa…aaa…haa….aaa….Haaa... (Vocalizing)
Female
Kovil muluvathum kandenI searched and saw all across the temple
Kovil muluvathum kandenI searched and saw all across the temple
Uyar goburam yeri kanden…ae…aennnClimbing up the tall temple tower, I looked
Kovil muluvathum kandenI searched and saw all across the temple
Uyar goburam yeri kanden…ae…aennnClimbing up the tall temple tower, I looked
Kovil muluvathum kandenI searched and saw all across the temple
Female
Devathi devanai …ee…eee…ee…The God of gods...
Devathi devanai yaanThe God of gods, I...
Devathi devanai yaanThe God of gods, I...
Engu thediyum kandilenaeNo matter where I searched, I could not find Him
Female
Theppa kulam kanden..aen….I saw the temple tank...
Suttri thaerodum veedhi kanden…aenI saw the surrounding streets where the temple chariot runs...
heppa kulam kanden..aen….I saw the temple tank...
Suttri thaerodum veedhi kandenI saw the surrounding streets where the temple chariot runs
Devadhi devanai yaanThe God of gods, I...
Engu thediyum kandilenaeNo matter where I searched, I could not find Him
Female
Ullathil ullaanadiHe resides within your heart, my dear girl
Adhu nee unara vendumadiThat is what you must realize, my dear
Ullathil kaanbaayenilIf you can see Him within your heart
Ullathil kaanbaayenilIf you can see Him within your heart
Koyil ullaeyum kaanbaayadiYou will also see Him inside the temple, my dear girl

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This introspective philosophical song, written by the eminent Tamil poet Kavimani Desigavinayagam Pillai, explores the core truth of spirituality. The seeker journeys through a grand temple complex, climbing high gopurams (towers), gazing upon the temple tank, and traversing the chariot streets in search of the Supreme Being. Despite exploring every physical nook of the sacred grounds, God remains elusive.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Repetition (Madaakku / Anaphora)

Kovil muluvathum kanden

The line 'Kovil muluvathum kanden' is repeated multiple times to emphasize the exhaustive search through physical places of worship.

Edhukai (Second Letter Consonance)

Ullathil ullaanadi / Adhu nee unara vendumadi

The second consonant sound matches across consecutive lines ('Ullathil' and 'Adhu' carrying internal vocal harmony with 'Ullathil').

Spiritual Metaphor (Tattuvam / Metaphor)

Ullathil ullaanadi

Points to the core Advaita philosophy that the true temple is within the human heart/mind ('Ullam').

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by the venerated Tamil poet Kavimani Desigavinayagam Pillai, this poem is a classic devotional-philosophical piece highlighting internalized devotion over external ritualism. It was adapted for the film 'Thai Ullam' (1952), directed by K. Ramnoth and featuring music composed jointly by Chittor V. Nagaiah and A. Rama Rao.

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