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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Madhura Ponnukku

From Meenakshi Thiruvilaiyadal · 1985

Lyricist
Tamizh Nambi
Singer
V. Kanagaraj
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Meenakshi Thiruvilaiyadal1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Madhura ponnukkku maappilla varapporaanA groom is coming for the Madurai girl
Maalaiyum thaaliyum seekiram thara poraanHe will soon give the garland and the sacred thread
Madhura ponnukkku maappilla varapporaanA groom is coming for the Madurai girl
Maalaiyum thaaliyum seekiram thara poraanHe will soon give the garland and the sacred thread
Maapillaiya pathi paada poraen thaayiI am going to sing about the groom, O mother
Avan magimaigalai kaettukkamma neeyiListen to his divine glory, O mother
Maapillaiya pathi paada poraen thaayiI am going to sing about the groom, O mother
Avan magimaigalai kaettukkamma neeyiListen to his divine glory, O mother
Male
Kalyanathu appuramWill there be fights with a co-wife
Sakkalathi sanda varumaAfter the marriage takes place?
Male
Gangai enum mangai thanaiThe maiden named Ganga
Thalaiyilae vachirukaanHe holds her upon his head
Male
Kaadugalai sezhipadharkkagaTo make the forests flourish
Gangai enum mangai thanaiThe maiden named Ganga
Thalaiyilae vachirukaanHe holds her upon his head
Kaadugalai sezhipadharkkagaTo make the forests flourish
Male
Kaiyilae odeduthuHolding a begging bowl in hand
Pichaiyoo pichai enbaanHe asks for alms and charity
Male
Bhakthargalin anbukkaagaAll for the boundless love of his devotees
Kaiyilae odeduthuHolding a begging bowl in hand
Pichaiyoo pichai enbaanHe asks for alms and charity
Bhakthargalin anbukkaagaAll for the boundless love of his devotees
Male
Pittukku mann sumandhuCarrying soil on his head for pita cakes
Pirampadi pattadhellaamAnd bearing strikes from a cane
Uzhaikulam pizhaikkanm enbadharkkaagaSo that the labor class could earn their living
Thandhai illai thaayum illaiHe has no father, nor a mother
Thathedukka aalum illaiThere is no one to adopt him either
Sokkanavan ulagukkellaamSokkanathan (Shiva) to the entire world
Thandhai thaayammaIs himself the mother and father, O mother
Sokkanavan ulagukkellaamSokkanathan (Shiva) to the entire world
Thandhai thaayammaIs himself the mother and father, O mother
Male
Madhura ponnukkku maappilla varapporaanA groom is coming for the Madurai girl
Maalaiyum thaaliyum seekiram thara poraanHe will soon give the garland and the sacred thread
Maapillaiya pathi paada poraen thaayiI am going to sing about the groom, O mother
Avan magimaigalai kaettukkamma neeyiListen to his divine glory, O mother
Male
Aanukkoru needhi yendruHe will not act unfairly or preach
Aattam poda maataanammaOne rule for men and another for women
Male
Avan paadhi udal penn thaanammaHalf of his very body belongs to a woman, O mother
Endrum padhinaaru endruGranting the boon of remaining forever sixteen
Vaazhvalithaan siruvanukkuHe saved the life of a young boy
Male
Anbukku avan adimai thaanammaHe is a slave only to genuine devotion, O mother
Male
Nandhiyudan valam varuvaanHe travels around riding the sacred bull Nandi
Endrum avan varam tharuvaanHe always grants blessings and boons
Aadhiyandham avanukkillaiHe has neither a beginning nor an end
Arindhu kollammaUnderstand this truth well, O mother
Koothandhu koothugalilIn all his divine cosmic dances
Athanaikkum arthamunduEvery single action carries deep meaning
Vaazhndhu paarammaLive and experience it for yourself, O mother
Athanaikkum arthamunduEvery single action carries deep meaning
Vaazhndhu paarammaLive and experience it for yourself, O mother
Male
Madhura ponnukkku maappilla varapporaanA groom is coming for the Madurai girl
Maalaiyum thaaliyum seekiram thara poraanHe will soon give the garland and the sacred thread
Maapillaiya pathi paada poraen thaayiI am going to sing about the groom, O mother
Avan magimaigalai kaettukkamma neeyiListen to his divine glory, O mother

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a celebratory folk narrative extolling Lord Sundareswarar (Shiva) as he prepares to marry Goddess Meenakshi of Madurai. The lyrics playfully address the concerns of the bride's family and people of Madurai, explaining the Lord's divine nature and cosmic plays (Thiruvilaiyadal). It reassures that although Ganga rests in his hair, it is to bestow prosperity upon the Earth, and though he wanders as a beggar, it is to receive the devotion of his followers.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Madhura ponnukkku maappilla varapporaan / Maalaiyum thaaliyum seekiram thara poraan

Matching second consonants across lines, such as 'Gangai' and 'Thalaiyilae' or 'Madhura' and 'Maalaiyum'.

Monaai (Alliteration)

Madhura ponnukkku maappilla varapporaan

Repetition of initial consonant sounds across words in a line, such as 'Madhura' and 'maappilla'.

Mythological Allusions (Thiruvilaiyadal references)

Avan paadhi udal penn thaanamma / Pittukku mann sumandhu

References to Shiva's divine sports like Ardhanarishvara (half-woman form), carrying mud for Pittu (Pittu ku mann sumandhu), and granting immortality to Markandeya (Endrum padhinaaru).

Did you know?

Trivia

The song highlights key episodes from the 64 sacred sports of Lord Shiva recorded in the Tamil text 'Thiruvilaiyadal Puranam', specifically setting the scene for the divine wedding of Meenakshi and Sundareswarar in Madurai.

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