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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Maakelara Vichaaramu

From Sarvam Thaala Mayam · 2018

Lyricist
Thyagaraja
Singer
Bombay Jayashree
Music director
A. R. Rahman
Details
Sarvam Thaala Mayam2018

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Makelara vicharamuWhy should we have any worry or anxiety?
Makelara vicharamuWhy should we have any worry or anxiety?
Makelara vi..charamuWhy should we have any worry?
Makelara viicharamuWhy should we have any worry?
Makelara vicharamuWhy should we have any worry or anxiety?
Makelara vicharamuWhy should we have any worry or anxiety?
Makelaraaa vicharamuWhy should we have any worry or anxiety?
Maruganna sri ramachandraOh Sri Ramachandra, who protects those who seek refuge!
Makelara aaa vicharamuWhy should we have any worry?
Maruganna sri ramachandra aaOh Sri Ramachandra, who protects those who seek refuge!
Makelaraaa vicharamu aaa aaaWhy should we have any worry at all?
Female
Sakethara …jaPrince of Saketa...
Sakethara …jaPrince of Saketa...
Sakethara …jakumaraOh Prince of Saketa (Ayodhya)!
Sakethara …jakumaraOh Prince of Saketa (Ayodhya)!
Sad bhaktha mandhara srikaraYou are the wish-fulfilling tree (Mandara) to true devotees, bestowing auspiciousness!
Sad bhaktha mandhara srikara aaaYou are the wish-fulfilling tree to true devotees, bestowing auspiciousness!
Female
Makelara aaa vicharamuWhy should we have any worry?
Maruganna sri ramachandra aaOh Sri Ramachandra, who protects those who seek refuge!
Makelaraaa aaa aaaWhy should we have any worry?
Female
Jathakoorchi eeeHaving orchestrated...
Jathakoorchi nataka suthramunuHaving assembled the strings of this cosmic play,
Jathakoorchi nataka suthramunuHaving assembled the strings of this cosmic play,
Jagamella mechaga karamuna nidiHolding them in Your hand to the admiration of the whole world,
Jathakoorchi nataka suthramunuHaving assembled the strings of this cosmic play,
Jagamella mechaga karamuna nidiHolding them in Your hand to the admiration of the whole world,
Gathi thappaka ….Without missing the rhythm or path...
Gathi thappaka …. aaa aaaWithout missing the rhythm or path...
Gathi thappaka ….dinchevu summeYou direct and guide every movement without fail!
Natha Thyagraja gireesa vinuthaOh Lord praised by Shiva (Gireesa) and by Thyagaraja who bows to You!
Natha Thyagraja gireesa vinuthaOh Lord praised by Shiva and Thyagaraja!
Natha Thyagraja gireesa vinuthaOh Lord praised by Shiva and Thyagaraja!
Female
Makelara aaa vicharamuWhy should we have any worry?
Maruganna sri ramachandra aaOh Sri Ramachandra, who protects those who seek refuge!
Makelaraaa vicharamu aaa aaa aaaWhy should we have any worry at all?
Aaaa….aaa…..aaa….aaa….aaa….Vocal improvisations and vocalizations.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Makelara Vicharamu is a revered Carnatic classical composition by Saint Thyagaraja set in Ravichandrika ragam. In this kriti, Thyagaraja reassures himself and humanity that there is no cause for worry or despair. Lord Rama is depicted as the supreme puppet master of the universe who holds the strings of life's grand drama and moves every soul with flawless divine order and precision.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Extended Metaphor

Jathakoorchi nataka suthramunu

Compares the universe to a puppet play (nataka suthramunu) where Lord Rama is the master puppeteer holding the strings.

Refrain / Anaphora

Makelara vicharamu

The phrase 'Makelara vicharamu' ('Why worry?') repeats throughout the composition as an anchor of faith.

Epithet / Devotional Metaphor

Sad bhaktha mandhara srikara

Refers to Rama as 'Sad bhaktha mandhara', comparing his grace to the divine wish-fulfilling Mandara tree.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although written in classical Telugu by Saint Thyagaraja in the 18th/19th century, this kriti was prominently featured in the 2018 Tamil musical drama film 'Sarvam Thaala Mayam' starring G. V. Prakash Kumar, directed by Rajiv Menon with music adapted by A. R. Rahman.

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