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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Madharin Kungumam

From Aayiram Kannudayaal · 1986

Lyricist
Muthulingam
Singer
Vani Jairam
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Aayiram Kannudayaal1986

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Maadharin kungumam kaaththidumI am Nageshwari, the goddess who protects the sacred vermilion (marital bliss) of women
Devi naan naageshwariI am the goddess, Nageshwari
Naadhanaam eesanin maeniyilOn the body of Lord Shiva, the supreme Master
Aadidum naanae eshwari….I am the Goddess who dances on His body...
Female
Maadharin kungumam kaaththidumI am Nageshwari, the goddess who protects the sacred vermilion of women
Devi naan naageshwariI am the goddess, Nageshwari
Naadhanaam eesanin maeniyilOn the body of Lord Shiva, the supreme Master
Aadidum naanae eshwari….I am the Goddess who dances on His body...
Female
Kobam konda naagamThe angry serpent
Indru kaalam kandu kaaththirunthuHaving awaited its rightful time today
Seeri varum vanjam theerkkumaeWill come hissing to settle its vengeance
Female
Theeya nanju konda pothumEven though possessing deadly venom
Thooimaiyaaga vaazhpavarkkuTo those who live in purity
Vanthu serum maanikkamaeIt becomes a precious gem that reaches them
Female
Aasaigalai sattaiyendraeJust like shed skin, your desires
En polavae nee neekkidalaamYou can shed, just like I do
Parameshwari thirisoolamaeThe trident of the Supreme Goddess Parameshwari
En maeniyil nee paarththidalaamYou can witness upon my form
Female
Maadharin kungumam kaaththidumI am Nageshwari, the goddess who protects the sacred vermilion of women
Devi naan naageshwariI am the goddess, Nageshwari
Naadhanaam eesanin maeniyilOn the body of Lord Shiva, the supreme Master
Aadidum naanae eshwari….I am the Goddess who dances on His body...
Female
Manitha vadivil naagam palavumMany serpents in human form
Veliyil ulavuthaeAre roaming around in the open outside
Kodiya naagam endru emmaiYet calling us cruel serpents
Ulagam igazhuthae….The world insults us...
Female
Manitha vadivil naagam palavumMany serpents in human form
Veliyil ulavuthaeAre roaming around in the open outside
Kodiya naagam endru emmaiYet calling us cruel serpents
Ulagam igazhuthae….The world insults us...
Female
Puttrukkul maranthathaalBecause she hid inside the anthill
Samainthaval ena sollumShe who is said to have attained maturity
Samayapura maariyum naanaeI am also that Samayapuram Mariamman
Kumabaththil naagamaai kurumunivan yaenthidumTaking the form of a serpent in a pot held by the revered sage
Karumaari annaiyum naanaeI am also the mother Karumariamman
Female
Paramanin aabaranam paranthaamanin manamI am the ornament of Shiva, the heart of Lord Vishnu
Paarvathiyin ganganamum naanaeAnd I am the sacred bangle/wristlet of Goddess Parvati
Urumaariyae devi avadharamaai vanthaHaving transformed her form, the Goddess who arrived as an incarnation
Naageshwari endrum naanaeI am forever Nageshwari
Naageshwari endrum naanaeI am forever Nageshwari
Naageshwari endrum naanae……I am forever Nageshwari...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song is a devotional and dramatic praise of Goddess Nageshwari (the Serpent Goddess), highlighting her role as the protector of married women's sacred vermilion (kungumam) and marital sanctity. She asserts her divine identity as the serpent ornamenting Lord Shiva, as well as being synonymous with divine mother forms like Samayapuram Mariamman and Karumariamman.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monaai (Alliteration)

Maadharin kungumam kaaththidum / Naadhanaam eesanin maeniyil

Repetition of initial consonant sound 'm' in 'Maadharin' and 'maeniyil'.

Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)

Aasaigalai sattaiyendrae En polavae nee neekkidalaam

Comparing human desires to shed snake skin ('Aasaigalai sattaiyendrae').

Irony / Contrast

Manitha vadivil naagam palavum Veliyil ulavuthae

Contrasting literal serpents with deceptive humans ('serpents in human form').

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Trivia

The song comes from the 1986 Tamil devotional film 'Aayiram Kannudayaal', featuring lyrics written by popular Tamil poet and lyricist Muthulingam, who was renowned for writing devotional and classical-oriented film songs.

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