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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kunguma Nayagi

From Manaivi Oru Manickam · 1990

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
K. S. Chithra, Chorus
Music director
Sankar Ganesh
Details
Manaivi Oru Manickam1990

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kunguma naayagi mangala sundhariOh leader adorned with vermilion, auspicious beautiful goddess
Madhurai meenatchiGoddess Meenakshi of Madurai
Pallava naatinil nallarul kaatidumThe one who bestows good grace in the Pallava land
Kaanji kaamatchiGoddess Kamakshi of Kanchipuram
Paadugindrom undhan soundharya lahariWe are singing your Soundarya Lahari
Paadugindrom undhan soundharya lahariWe are singing your Soundarya Lahari
Chorus
…………………….....
Female
Eppavum sokkar konjidum paandiyanDaughter of the Pandya soil, forever cherished by Lord Sundareswarar
Mann magalaeDaughter of the soil
Engal veetinil endrum veesidum thendral neeyaeYou are the gentle breeze that eternally blows in our household
Pachai paingili pattu kaigalil yendhiya poonthaliraeO tender flower shoot held in the silky hands of the green parrot
Endhan vaazhkaiyum undhan kaigalil thanjam thaayaeMother, my life takes refuge in your hands
Female
Vaa vaa varalakshmi arul selvam neeyaeCome, come, Varalakshmi, you are the treasure of divine grace
Chorus :Vaa vaa varalakshmi arul selvam neeyaeChorus: Come, come, Varalakshmi, you are the treasure of divine grace
Female :Ingu paadugindrom undhan soundharya lahariFemale: Here we sing your Soundarya Lahari
Female
Kunguma naayagi mangala sundhariOh leader adorned with vermilion, auspicious beautiful goddess
Madhurai meenatchiGoddess Meenakshi of Madurai
Pallava naatinil nallarul kaatidumThe one who bestows good grace in the Pallava land
Kaanji kaamatchiGoddess Kamakshi of Kanchipuram
Female
Undhan mandhiram ingae thangidumYour sacred mantra resides here
Anniyar oodhugiaarEven strangers chant it
Endha kaalamum endha dhesamum unnai pottrumEvery age and every land praises you
Thangal mariyum annai maariyumMother Mary and Mother Mariamman
Ondrena vazhugiraarAre revered as one
Ellar baashaiyum ellar poojaiyum unnai saerumEveryone's language and everyone's worship reaches you
Female
Vendum varam yaavum tharum deivam neeyaeYou are the deity who grants all desired boons
Chorus :Vendum varam yaavum tharum deivam neeyaeChorus: You are the deity who grants all desired boons
Female :Ingu paadugindrom undhan soundharya lahariFemale: Here we sing your Soundarya Lahari
Female
Kunguma naayagi mangala sundhariOh leader adorned with vermilion, auspicious beautiful goddess
Madhurai meenatchiGoddess Meenakshi of Madurai
Pallava naatinil nallarul kaatidumThe one who bestows good grace in the Pallava land
Kaanji kaamatchiGoddess Kamakshi of Kanchipuram
Paadugindrom undhan soundharya lahariWe are singing your Soundarya Lahari
Paadugindrom undhan soundharya lahariWe are singing your Soundarya Lahari

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This devotional track from the movie 'Manaivi Oru Manickam' (1990) is a sacred hymn extolling the supreme divine mother in her various manifestations, particularly Madurai Meenakshi, Kanchi Kamakshi, and Varalakshmi. The lyrics invoke her presence into the household as a source of peace, fortune, and grace, comparing her presence to a refreshing breeze bringing prosperity.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Alliterative Rhyme (Monai)

Kunguma naayagi mangala sundhari / Madhurai meenatchi

Repetition of initial consonants or vowels across lines, such as 'Kunguma' and 'Kaanji' or 'Madhurai' and 'Mann'.

Second Letter Rhyme (Edhugai)

Paadugindrom undhan soundharya lahari

Matching second consonants across consecutive lines, seen in 'Paadugindrom' and 'Paadugindrom'.

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Engal veetinil endrum veesidum thendral neeyae

Describing the divine mother as 'thendral' (breeze) that eternally blows in the household.

Secular Synergism / Syncretism

Thangal mariyum annai maariyum Ondrena vazhugiraar

Bridging regional and religious identities by equating Thangal Mari (Mother Mary) and Annai Mari (Mariamman).

Did you know?

Trivia

Although credited to lyricist Vaali, this song seamlessly integrates traditional Sanskrit devotional terminology like 'Soundarya Lahari' (referencing Adi Shankara's hymn) with local Tamil deity folklore like Meenakshi of Madurai and Kamakshi of Kanchipuram.

Keep listening

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