Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Madha Vedhanayagi Un

From Villiyanur Matha · 1983

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
G. Devarajan
Details
Villiyanur Matha1983

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Madha vedhanaayagiMother, Our Lady of Sorrows,
Un magalin kuraiyai kel ammaListen to the grievances of your daughter, O Mother.
Female
Madha vedhanaayagiMother, Our Lady of Sorrows,
Un magalin kuraiyai kel ammaListen to the grievances of your daughter, O Mother.
Ezhai ennai aadhariSupport poor me,
Nee indrael vaazhvum yaedhammaWithout you, what life is there for me, O Mother?
Maadha ……………Mother...
Female
Siluvai konda nizhalai thaediSeeking the shadow of the cross,
Paravai ondru vandhathuA bird came flying.
En thiruvae thaayin uruvae endruCalling you my holy divine presence and mother's form,
Kavidhai paadi nindrathuIt stood singing a poem.
Female
Melugaai unadhu koyililLike wax inside your temple,
Naan urugum indha velaiyilAt this moment when I am melting,
Karunai kaattu annaiyaeShow mercy, O Mother!
Unai panindhen endhan annaiyaeI bow to you, my Mother.
Annaiyae…ae…. annaiyae…ae…O Mother... O Mother...
Female
Un paadham engal raaja sabaiYour feet are our royal court,
Adhu paavam illaa gyaana sabaiIt is a sinless court of divine wisdom.
Vaedham pottrum thaththuvam neeYou are the eternal truth praised by the scriptures,
En vizhigal theettum siththiram neeYou are the exquisite portrait painted by my eyes.
Female
Vaanam boomi aanaval neeYou became both the sky and the earth,
En devan thannai eendraval neeYou are the one who gave birth to my Lord.
Noiyai theerkum marunthaanaaiYou became the cure that heals sickness,
Pasi naerum bodhu virunthaanaaiYou became a feast when hunger struck.
Annaiyae…ae…. annaiyae…ae…O Mother... O Mother...
Female
Madha vedhanaayagiMother, Our Lady of Sorrows,
Un magalin kuraiyai kel ammaListen to the grievances of your daughter, O Mother.
Ezhai ennai aadhariSupport poor me,
Nee indrael vaazhvum yaedhammaWithout you, what life is there for me, O Mother?
Maaadhaaa….Mother...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a deeply emotional Christian devotional hymn addressed to Mother Mary (invoked as Vedhanayagi / Lady of Sorrows). The singer pours out her sorrow and heartache, comparing herself to a weary bird seeking refuge under the shadow of the Holy Cross and a candle melting away in prayer before the altar. She pleads for divine mercy and maternal solace in her time of despair. The verse elevates Mother Mary as the supreme symbol of compassion, wisdom, and grace. Her holy feet are described as a sinless assembly of wisdom, and she is praised as the one who birthed the Divine Lord. She serves as a healing balm for suffering and spiritual nourishment for the soul, emphasizing complete surrender to her divine protection.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Melugaai unadhu koyilil / Naan urugum indha velaiyil

The devotee compares her emotional and spiritual surrender to a candle melting inside the temple.

Metaphor (Uruvam)

Noiyai theerkum marunthaanaai / Pasi naerum bodhu virunthaanaai

Mother Mary is directly metaphorized as the medicine that cures illness and a feast that cures spiritual hunger.

Second-letter Rhyme (Edhukai)

Vaanam boomi aanaval nee / En devan thannai eendraval nee

The second consonant sound 'na' matches across consecutive lines ('Vaanam' and 'En devan'), creating traditional Tamil poetic rhythm.

Symbolism

Siluvai konda nizhalai thaedi / Paravai ondru vandhathu

The 'bird seeking the shadow of the cross' symbolizes the human soul seeking divine protection and peace under Christ's cross.

Did you know?

Trivia

Villiyanur Matha (1983) is a devotional film centered around the famous Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine situated in Villianur near Puducherry. Legendary lyricist Vaali, despite belonging to a traditional Hindu background, was celebrated for his versatility in writing deeply moving Christian devotional lyrics that became timeless hymns across Tamil Nadu.

Keep listening

More from Villiyanur Matha