- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- P. Susheela
- Music director
- G. Devarajan
- Movie name
- Villiyanur Matha
- Movie release year
- 1983
- Lyrics added on
- 19 Jun 2020
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
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.
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