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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Maari Muthumaari

From Durga · 1990

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
S. P. Shailaja
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Movie name
Durga
Movie release year
1990
Lyrics added on
3 Apr 2026

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Maari muthumaari thaayi mahamaayi
Puttru mannai nethiyilae poosipom
Pambaigalai thatti thatti vaasippom
Un paadhathila vendiyatha yaasippom
Maari muthumaari thaayi mahamaayi
Puttru mannai nethiyilae poosipom
Pambaigalai thatti thatti vaasippom
Un paadhathila vendiyatha yaasippom
Maari muthumaari thaayi mahamaayi
Thillai kaaliyadi nee durga deviyadi
Devarum devi un kaavaladi
Sandi saamundiye sivasakthi saambaviye
Sreedharan maadhavan sodhariyae
Thai maasam poosathil koodum
Thee meedhu kaal vaithu oodum
Thaayae un per sollum neram
Thee vannam poo vannam aagum
Ponnaaththaa poovaathathaa
Mundakkanni muppaaththaa
Sendaadum vandattam
Aayiram kodi kannaaththaaa
Maari muthumaari thaayi mahamaayi
Puttru mannai nethiyilae poosipom
Pambaigalai thatti thatti vaasippom
Un paadhathila vendiyatha yaasippom
Maari muthumaari thaayi mahamaayi
Pachai veppilai thaan un
Pattu selaigalaam
Ainthalai naagam un kaikudaiyaam
Ichai aabaranam
Elumichai maalaigalaam
Vaasanai kungumam archanaiyaam
Poovittu maavittu unnai
Koopitta perukku annai
Pullukkum poondukkum pachai
Ammaadi neeyitta pichai
Ullae thaan un paasam
Vandhadhu paaru aavesam
Un perai sonnaalae
Anjidum andha aagasam
Maari muthumaari thaayi mahamaayi
Puttru mannai nethiyilae poosipom
Pambaigalai thatti thatti vaasippom
Un paadhathila vendiyatha yaasippom
Maari muthumaari thaayi mahamaayi
Maari muthumaari thaayi mahamaayi
O Maari, Mother Muthumaari, supreme Mother Mahamayi!
We smear the clay from your sacred anthill upon our foreheads.
We beat and play the rhythmic pambai drums.
At your holy feet, we pray and ask for what we need.
O Maari, Mother Muthumaari, supreme Mother Mahamayi!
We smear the clay from your sacred anthill upon our foreheads.
We beat and play the rhythmic pambai drums.
At your holy feet, we pray and ask for what we need.
O Maari, Mother Muthumaari, supreme Mother Mahamayi!
You are the Kali of Thillai, you are Goddess Durga!
Even the gods stand guard to protect you, O Goddess!
O fierce Chandi, Chamundi, the power of Shiva, Shambhavi!
O sister of Lord Vishnu!
When devotees gather in the month of Thai for the Poosam festival,
And walk barefoot across blazing embers,
O Mother, the moment they call out your name,
The burning fire turns as soft as flowers.
O golden Mother, O flower-like Mother!
O wide-eyed Mundakanni, O ancient Mother of all!
Flocking together like bees around blossoms,
We worship you, O Kannatha with countless millions of eyes!
O Maari, Mother Muthumaari, supreme Mother Mahamayi!
We smear the clay from your sacred anthill upon our foreheads.
We beat and play the rhythmic pambai drums.
At your holy feet, we pray and ask for what we need.
O Maari, Mother Muthumaari, supreme Mother Mahamayi!
Fresh green neem leaves are
the silk sarees you wear!
The five-headed cobra serves as the umbrella in your hand!
The ornament closest to your heart is
the garland of fresh lemons!
Fragrant kumkum powder is your sacred offering!
To those who offer flowers and sweet flour lamps,
Calling out to you, you become their loving Mother!
Even for every blade of grass and tiny sprout,
O Mother, their very life is a gift of your mercy!
Deep within you lies immense motherly love,
Yet look, divine fierce power takes hold!
The moment your holy name is spoken,
Even the mighty skies tremble in awe!
O Maari, Mother Muthumaari, supreme Mother Mahamayi!
We smear the clay from your sacred anthill upon our foreheads.
We beat and play the rhythmic pambai drums.
At your holy feet, we pray and ask for what we need.
O Maari, Mother Muthumaari, supreme Mother Mahamayi!
O Maari, Mother Muthumaari, supreme Mother Mahamayi!
Female
Female
Female
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Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
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Chorus

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This devotional song from the 1990 movie 'Durga' is a powerful ode to Goddess Mariamman (an avatar of Goddess Durga/Shakti). The lyrics express deep reverence, ritualistic traditions, and the omnipotent nature of the divine mother. Devotees honor her by applying sacred anthill clay, playing traditional folk percussion instruments like the pambai, and walking over embers during auspicious Tamil months like Thai. The song details her iconic iconography, including green neem leaves acting as silk robes and a five-headed cobra as her umbrella. Beyond her fierce outward presence (trance/aavesam) that terrifies evil, the lyricist emphasizes her innate maternal love. She is depicted as the ultimate provider who sustains all living beings, from tiny blades of grass to humanity. Chanting her name brings divine protection, transforming intense heat and hardship into sweet blessings.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

“Pambaigalai thatti thatti vaasippom”

Matching second consonant 'm' in 'Pambaigalai' and 'yaasippom' / 'poosipom' across verses.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

“Un paadhathila vendiyatha yaasippom”

Consistent rhyming endings using verbs ending in '-om' (poosipom, vaasippom, yaasippom).

Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)

“Pachai veppilai thaan un Pattu selaigalaam”

Comparing simple neem leaves to luxurious silk sarees (Pachai veppilai thaan un Pattu selaigalaam).

Repetition / Rhythm (Anaphora)

“Pambaigalai thatti thatti vaasippom”

Rhythmic repetition of 'thatti thatti' creating a percussion-like beat reflecting the drum playing.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Durga' was a major commercial hit in 1990 featuring Master Shamlee as a child artist protected by a loyal dog and a monkey. The devotional soundtrack composed by Shankar-Ganesh, featuring vocal renditions by S. P. Shailaja, became immensely popular across Tamil Nadu during temple festivals and amman worship seasons.

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