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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Maadugal Meithidum

From Jathagam · 1953

Lyricist
T. K. Sundara Vadhyar
Singer
M. S. Rajeswari
Music director
R. Govarthanam
Details
Jathagam1953

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Maadugal meithidum paiyanThe boy who grazes cattle
Pasu maadugal meithidum paiyanThe boy who grazes milk cows
Thannai madhipavarkkae meiyanHe is truly faithful to those who honor him
Ivan vaanavarkkum puvi maanidarkkumHe, to the heavenly gods and mortals of the earth
Sugha varamalikkum aiyyanIs the Lord who grants joyful boons
Maadugal meithidum paiyanThe boy who grazes cattle
Thannai madhipavarkkae meiyanHe is truly faithful to those who honor him
Ivan vaanavarkkum puvi maanidarkkumHe, to the heavenly gods and mortals of the earth
Sugha varamalikkum aiyyanIs the Lord who grants joyful boons
Female
Malaiyai kudaiyaai yendhiduvenHe holds up the mountain like an umbrella
Visha maduvil thaniyaai neendhiduvaanHe swims alone in the toxic pond
Malaiyai kudaiyaai yendhiduvenHe holds up the mountain like an umbrella
Visha maduvil thaniyaai neendhiduvaanHe swims alone in the toxic pond
Maadhargal alara selaigal thirudiStealing clothes while the women shriek
Maraindhae solvaan polladhavanHe speaks from hiding, the mischievous one
Ivan vanavarkkum puvi maanidarukkumHe, to the heavenly gods and mortals of the earth
Sugha varamalikkum aiyyanIs the Lord who grants joyful boons
Female
Mannai thindru than vaayinil ulagamEating mud, showing inside his mouth
Valarvadhellam kaatiAll the expanding universes
Mannai thindru than vaayinil ulagamEating mud, showing inside his mouth
Valarvadhellam kaatiAll the expanding universes
Maaikaiyinaal yaaraiyum vendruConquering anyone through illusion
Mayakkiduvan malaiyadhavanHe entrances everyone, steadfast like a mountain
Maaikaiyinaal yaaraiyum vendruConquering anyone through illusion
Mayakkiduvan malaiyadhavanHe entrances everyone, steadfast like a mountain
Female
Valiya meen periya aamai varaghaTaking forms of huge fish, giant tortoise, and boar
Vadivamellaam edupaanHe assumes all these forms
Valiya meen periya aamai varaghaTaking forms of huge fish, giant tortoise, and boar
Vadivamellaam edupaanHe assumes all these forms
Maanidar kaana jaala migundhaA magical wondrous entertainer
Maaya vinodhanaeFor humans to witness his grand illusions
Ivan vanavarkkum puvi maanidarukkumHe, to the heavenly gods and mortals of the earth
Sugha varamalikkum aiyyanIs the Lord who grants joyful boons
Female
Paal thayir vennai paanaiyil moozhgiDipping into pots of milk, curd, and butter
Paiya nadanthae aaduvaanHe gently walks and dances
Paal thayir vennai paanaiyil moozhgiDipping into pots of milk, curd, and butter
Paiya nadanthae aaduvaanHe gently walks and dances
Adhai paarthidil thanadhu pandhai thediWhen caught, claiming he came seeking his ball
Paarthen endre ooduvenHe flees saying 'I was searching for it'
Paarthidil thanadhu pandhai thediWhen caught, claiming he came seeking his ball
Paarthen endre ooduvenHe flees saying 'I was searching for it'
Ivan vanavarkkum puvi maanidarukkumHe, to the heavenly gods and mortals of the earth
Sugha varamalikkum aiyyanIs the Lord who grants joyful boons
Female
Maadugal meithidum paiyanThe boy who grazes cattle
Pasu maadugal meithidum paiyanThe boy who grazes milk cows
Thannai madhipavarkkae meiyanHe is truly faithful to those who honor him
Ivan vaanavarkkum puvi maanidarkkumHe, to the heavenly gods and mortals of the earth
Sugha varamalikkum aiyyanIs the Lord who grants joyful boons

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic devotional song celebrates Lord Krishna as a young cowherd boy while exalting his supreme divinity. It vividly recounts Krishna's famous childhood pastimes (Lilas) in Vrindavan, such as lifting the Govardhana hill like an umbrella to shield villagers, subduing the venomous serpent Kaliya in the poisoned pool, teasing the Gopis by stealing their clothes, eating mud only to show the entire cosmos in his open mouth, and stealing butter while making playful excuses when caught.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Maadugal meithidum paiyan / Pasu maadugal meithidum paiyan

Repetition of the 'Ma' sound in initial words across lines creates a rhythmic bounce suitable for Krishna's playful nature.

Simile (Uwamai)

Malaiyai kudaiyaai yendhiduven

The act of Krishna lifting Govardhana mountain to protect his devotees from heavy rains is compared to holding an umbrella.

Allusion (Aalumaai)

Valiya meen periya aamai varagha / Vadivamellaam edupaan

Direct reference to Krishna's cosmic avatars (Matsya - fish, Kurma - turtle, Varaha - boar) from the Dashavatara lore.

Did you know?

Trivia

Featured in the 1953 film 'Jathagam', this song was composed by R. Govarthanam and rendered by M. S. Rajeswari, known for her uniquely sweet voice ideal for child roles and playful Krishna devotional tracks in early South Indian cinema.

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