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Jathagam album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Maadugal Meithidum

From Jathagam · 1953

Lyricist
T. K. Sundara Vadhyar
Singer
M. S. Rajeswari
Music director
R. Govarthanam
Movie name
Jathagam
Movie release year
1953
Lyrics added on
9 Feb 2025

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Maadugal meithidum paiyan
Pasu maadugal meithidum paiyan
Thannai madhipavarkkae meiyan
Ivan vaanavarkkum puvi maanidarkkum
Sugha varamalikkum aiyyan
Maadugal meithidum paiyan
Thannai madhipavarkkae meiyan
Ivan vaanavarkkum puvi maanidarkkum
Sugha varamalikkum aiyyan
Malaiyai kudaiyaai yendhiduven
Visha maduvil thaniyaai neendhiduvaan
Malaiyai kudaiyaai yendhiduven
Visha maduvil thaniyaai neendhiduvaan
Maadhargal alara selaigal thirudi
Maraindhae solvaan polladhavan
Ivan vanavarkkum puvi maanidarukkum
Sugha varamalikkum aiyyan
Mannai thindru than vaayinil ulagam
Valarvadhellam kaati
Mannai thindru than vaayinil ulagam
Valarvadhellam kaati
Maaikaiyinaal yaaraiyum vendru
Mayakkiduvan malaiyadhavan
Maaikaiyinaal yaaraiyum vendru
Mayakkiduvan malaiyadhavan
Valiya meen periya aamai varagha
Vadivamellaam edupaan
Valiya meen periya aamai varagha
Vadivamellaam edupaan
Maanidar kaana jaala migundha
Maaya vinodhanae
Ivan vanavarkkum puvi maanidarukkum
Sugha varamalikkum aiyyan
Paal thayir vennai paanaiyil moozhgi
Paiya nadanthae aaduvaan
Paal thayir vennai paanaiyil moozhgi
Paiya nadanthae aaduvaan
Adhai paarthidil thanadhu pandhai thedi
Paarthen endre ooduven
Paarthidil thanadhu pandhai thedi
Paarthen endre ooduven
Ivan vanavarkkum puvi maanidarukkum
Sugha varamalikkum aiyyan
Maadugal meithidum paiyan
Pasu maadugal meithidum paiyan
Thannai madhipavarkkae meiyan
Ivan vaanavarkkum puvi maanidarkkum
Sugha varamalikkum aiyyan
A boy who grazes cattle,
A boy who grazes the cows,
He is true to those who truly honor him.
To the gods above and the people of this earth,
He is the Lord who grants the boon of happiness.
A boy who grazes cattle,
He is true to those who truly honor him.
To the gods above and the people of this earth,
He is the Lord who grants the boon of happiness.
He holds up a mountain like an umbrella,
He swims all alone in the pool of poison.
He holds up a mountain like an umbrella,
He swims all alone in the pool of poison.
Stealing sarees as the women cry out,
This naughty boy teases them while in hiding!
To the gods above and the people of this earth,
He is the Lord who grants the boon of happiness.
Eating mud, inside his little mouth,
He showed the entire universe expanding.
Eating mud, inside his little mouth,
He showed the entire universe expanding.
Winning over anyone through his illusions,
He charms everyone, staying utterly fearless.
Winning over anyone through his illusions,
He charms everyone, staying utterly fearless.
As a mighty fish, a giant turtle, and a boar,
He takes on all these forms.
As a mighty fish, a giant turtle, and a boar,
He takes on all these forms.
For mortals to witness his magical ways,
He is the master of wondrous illusions!
To the gods above and the people of this earth,
He is the Lord who grants the boon of happiness.
Dipping deep into pots of milk, curd, and butter,
He tiptoes softly and dances around.
Dipping deep into pots of milk, curd, and butter,
He tiptoes softly and dances around.
If caught in the act, he pretends he was searching for his ball,
And saying 'I was only looking!' he runs away!
If caught in the act, he pretends he was searching for his ball,
And saying 'I was only looking!' he runs away!
To the gods above and the people of this earth,
He is the Lord who grants the boon of happiness.
A boy who grazes cattle,
A boy who grazes the cows,
He is true to those who truly honor him.
To the gods above and the people of this earth,
He is the Lord who grants the boon of happiness.
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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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