Madhurai Arasaalum
From Thirumalai Thenkumari · 1970
- Lyricist
- Ulunthur Pettai Shanmugam
- Music director
- Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan
- Details
- Thirumalai Thenkumari1970
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Madurai arasaalum meenakshi | Goddess Meenakshi who rules over Madurai, |
| Maanagar kaanchiyilae kaamaakshi | Goddess Kamakshi in the great city of Kanchipuram, |
| Madurai arasaalum meenakshi | Goddess Meenakshi who rules over Madurai, |
| Maanagar kaanchiyilae kaamaakshi | Goddess Kamakshi in the great city of Kanchipuram, |
| Madurai arasaalum meenakshi | Goddess Meenakshi who rules over Madurai, |
| Female | |
| Thillayil aval peyar sivagaami | In Thillai, her name is Sivagami, |
| Thirukadavoorinilae abiraami | In Thirukaddavoor, she is Abirami, |
| Thillayil aval peyar sivagaami | In Thillai, her name is Sivagami, |
| Thirukadavoorinilae abiraami | In Thirukaddavoor, she is Abirami, |
| Nellayil arul tharuvaal gaandhimadhi | In Tirunelveli, Gandhimathi grants her divine grace, |
| Nellayil arul tharuvaal gaandhimadhi | In Tirunelveli, Gandhimathi grants her divine grace, |
| Annai aval allaal yaedhu gathi ….. | Other than that Mother, what refuge is there for us? |
| Male | |
| Madurai arasaalum meenakshi | Goddess Meenakshi who rules over Madurai, |
| Maanagar kaanchiyilae kaamaakshi | Goddess Kamakshi in the great city of Kanchipuram, |
| Madurai arasaalum meenakshi | Goddess Meenakshi who rules over Madurai, |
| Female | |
| Thiripura sundhari seerkaazhiyilae | She is Tripura Sundari in Sirkazhi, |
| Male :Seerkaazhiyilae…..ae…aaa…aa…aa…aa… | In Sirkazhi... (vocalizing) |
| Female :Thiripura sundhari seerkaazhiyilae | She is Tripura Sundari in Sirkazhi, |
| Sivasakthi paarvathi kailaiyilae | She is Sivasakthi Parvathi in Kailash, |
| Thiripura sundhari seerkaazhiyilae | She is Tripura Sundari in Sirkazhi, |
| Sivasakthi paarvathi kailaiyilae | She is Sivasakthi Parvathi in Kailash, |
| Varam tharum karpagamaai mayilaiyilae | She is Karpagambal granting boons in Mylapore, |
| Varam tharum karpagamaai mayilaiyilae | She is Karpagambal granting boons in Mylapore, |
| Manjamena nenjil vaazhbavalae | She who resides in our hearts like a divine throne, |
| Male | |
| Madurai arasaalum meenakshi | Goddess Meenakshi who rules over Madurai, |
| Maanagar kaanchiyilae kaamaakshi | Goddess Kamakshi in the great city of Kanchipuram, |
| Madurai arasaalum meenakshi | Goddess Meenakshi who rules over Madurai, |
| Female | |
| Thiruvaerkaatinilae karumaari | She is Karumari in Thiruverkadu, |
| Then pudhuvai nagarinile muthu maari | She is Muthu Maari in the southern city of Puducherry, |
| Thiruvaerkaatinilae karumaari | She is Karumari in Thiruverkadu, |
| Then pudhuvai nagarinile muthu maari | She is Muthu Maari in the southern city of Puducherry, |
| Samayapuram thannil magamaayee | She is Magamayee in Samayapuram, |
| Samayapuram thannil magamaayee | She is Magamayee in Samayapuram, |
| Sowbaghyam thandhiduvaal maakaali | Mahakali will bestow prosperity, |
| Sagala sowbaghyam thandhiduvaal maakaali | Mahakali will bestow all forms of prosperity, |
| Male | |
| Madurai arasaalum meenakshi | Goddess Meenakshi who rules over Madurai, |
| Sa ga ga gaa ga gaa ga ga ga | [Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization] |
| Ri ma pa gaa ri | [Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization] |
| Ga ma ga ma ga ma | [Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization] |
| Ri ga sa ri ni ri sa | [Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization] |
| Ga ri sa nee da pa | [Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization] |
| Ni sa ga ri sa | [Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization] |
| Male | |
| Sa ri ma ga sa ni da sa | [Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization] |
| Sa ri ni pa ma pa | [Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization] |
| Sa ri ni sa ma ri pa | [Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization] |
| Pa da ni sa ma pa | [Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization] |
| Ni sa ga ri sa | [Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization] |
| Male | |
| Ri ga ri ga sa ri ni sa | [Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization] |
| Ni sa ri pa ga | [Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization] |
| Ri pa ma ga ri ga sa ri | [Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization] |
| Ni pa ga ri sa | [Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization] |
| Male | |
| Ga ma ga ma ri sa ri sa | [Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization] |
| Sa ri ri sa ri | [Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization] |
| Male | |
| Ni sa ri ma ga | [Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization] |
| Male | |
| Sa ni ri sa ni | [Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization] |
| Male | |
| Ma pa sa | [Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization] |
| Male | |
| Ma pa ri | [Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization] |
| Male | |
| Ga ri ri ga ri ri ga ri ri sa ni sa | [Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization] |
| Ga ri sa ni pa | [Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization] |
| Pa ma pa ni ni sa | [Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization] |
| Ni sa ga sa ga | [Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization] |
| Sa ga ma ga ma | [Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization] |
| Da ma ga ri sa | [Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization] |
| Ni sa ni da ma | [Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization] |
| Ga ma pa ni sa | [Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization] |
| Male | |
| Madurai arasaalum meenakshi | Goddess Meenakshi who rules over Madurai, |
| Maanagar kaanchiyilae kaamaakshi | Goddess Kamakshi in the great city of Kanchipuram, |
| Madurai arasaalum meenakshi | Goddess Meenakshi who rules over Madurai |
மற்றும் எம். ஆர். விஜயா
Goddess Meenakshi who rules over Madurai,
Goddess Kamakshi in the great city of Kanchipuram,
Goddess Meenakshi who rules over Madurai,
Goddess Kamakshi in the great city of Kanchipuram,
Goddess Meenakshi who rules over Madurai,
ஸ்லோகம் :
................................
In Thillai, her name is Sivagami,
In Thirukaddavoor, she is Abirami,
In Thillai, her name is Sivagami,
In Thirukaddavoor, she is Abirami,
In Tirunelveli, Gandhimathi grants her divine grace,
In Tirunelveli, Gandhimathi grants her divine grace,
Other than that Mother, what refuge is there for us?
மதுரை அரசாளும் மீனாட்சி
மாநகர் காஞ்சியிலே காமாட்சி
மதுரை அரசாளும் மீனாட்சி
மாநகர் காஞ்சியிலே காமாட்சி
மதுரை அரசாளும் மீனாட்சி
Goddess Meenakshi who rules over Madurai,
Goddess Kamakshi in the great city of Kanchipuram,
Goddess Meenakshi who rules over Madurai,
தில்லையில் அவள் பெயர் சிவகாமி
திருக்கடவூரினிலே அபிராமி
தில்லையில் அவள் பெயர் சிவகாமி
திருக்கடவூரினிலே அபிராமி
நெல்லையில் அருள் தருவாள் காந்திமதி
நெல்லையில் அருள் தருவாள் காந்திமதி
அன்னை அவள் அல்லால் ஏது கதி
She is Tripura Sundari in Sirkazhi,
In Sirkazhi... (vocalizing)
She is Tripura Sundari in Sirkazhi,
She is Sivasakthi Parvathi in Kailash,
She is Tripura Sundari in Sirkazhi,
She is Sivasakthi Parvathi in Kailash,
She is Karpagambal granting boons in Mylapore,
She is Karpagambal granting boons in Mylapore,
She who resides in our hearts like a divine throne,
மதுரை அரசாளும் மீனாட்சி
மாநகர் காஞ்சியிலே காமாட்சி
மதுரை அரசாளும் மீனாட்சி
Goddess Meenakshi who rules over Madurai,
Goddess Kamakshi in the great city of Kanchipuram,
Goddess Meenakshi who rules over Madurai,
திரிபுரசுந்தரி சீர்காழியிலே
சீர்காழியிலே......ஏ.....ஆஅ.....ஆ.....ஆ....ஆ...
திரிபுரசுந்தரி சீர்காழியிலே
சிவசக்தி பார்வதி கயிலையிலே
திரிபுரசுந்தரி சீர்காழியிலே
சிவசக்தி பார்வதி கயிலையிலே
வரம் தரும் கற்பகமாய் மயிலையிலே
வரம் தரும் கற்பகமாய் மயிலையிலே
வஞ்சமில்லா நெஞ்சில் வாழ்பவளே
She is Karumari in Thiruverkadu,
She is Muthu Maari in the southern city of Puducherry,
She is Karumari in Thiruverkadu,
She is Muthu Maari in the southern city of Puducherry,
She is Magamayee in Samayapuram,
She is Magamayee in Samayapuram,
Mahakali will bestow prosperity,
Mahakali will bestow all forms of prosperity,
மதுரை அரசாளும் மீனாட்சி
மாநகர் காஞ்சியிலே காமாட்சி
மதுரை அரசாளும் மீனாட்சி
Goddess Meenakshi who rules over Madurai,
[Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization]
[Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization]
[Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization]
[Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization]
[Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization]
[Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization]
திருவேற்காட்டினிலே கருமாரி
தென்பொதிகை நகரினிலே முத்துமாரி
திருவேற்காட்டினிலே கருமாரி
தென்பொதிகை நகரினிலே முத்துமாரி
சமயபுரம் தன்னில் மகமாயி
சமயபுரம் தன்னில் மகமாயி
சௌபாக்கியம் தந்திடுவாள் மாகாளி
சகல சௌபாக்கியம் தந்திடுவாள் மாகாளி
[Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization]
[Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization]
[Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization]
[Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization]
[Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization]
மதுரை அரசாளும் மீனாட்சி
ஸகக காக கா க க க
ரி ம ப கா.....ரி
க ம க ம க ம
ரி க ஸ ரி நி ரி ஸ
க ரி ஸ நி த ப
நி ரி க ரி ஸ
[Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization]
[Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization]
[Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization]
[Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization]
ஸ ரி ம க ஸ நி த ஸ
ஸ ரி நி ப ம ப
ஸ ரி நி ஸ ம ரி ப
ப த நி ஸ ம ப
நி ஸ க ரி ஸ
[Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization]
[Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization]
ரி க ரி க ஸ ரி நி ஸ
நி ஸ ரி ப க
ரி ப ம க ரி க ஸ ரி
நி ப க ரி ஸ
[Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization]
க ம க ம ரி ஸ ரி ஸ
ஸ ரி ரி ஸ ரி
[Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization]
நி ஸ ரி ம க
[Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization]
ஸ நி ரி ஸ நி
[Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization]
ம ப ஸ
[Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization]
[Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization]
[Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization]
[Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization]
[Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization]
[Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization]
[Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization]
[Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization]
ம ப ரி
Goddess Meenakshi who rules over Madurai,
Goddess Kamakshi in the great city of Kanchipuram,
Goddess Meenakshi who rules over Madurai
க ரி ரி க ரி ரி க ரி ரி ஸ நி ஸ
க ரி ஸ நி ப
ப ம ப நி நி ஸ
நி ச க ச க
ச க ம க ம
த ம க ரி ச
நி ஸ நி த ம
க ம ப நி ச
மதுரை அரசாளும் மீனாட்சி
மாநகர் காஞ்சியிலே காமாட்சி
மதுரை அரசாளும் மீனாட்சி
Madurai arasaalum meenakshi
Goddess Meenakshi who rules over Madurai,
Maanagar kaanchiyilae kaamaakshi
Goddess Kamakshi in the great city of Kanchipuram,
Madurai arasaalum meenakshi
Goddess Meenakshi who rules over Madurai,
Maanagar kaanchiyilae kaamaakshi
Goddess Kamakshi in the great city of Kanchipuram,
Madurai arasaalum meenakshi
Goddess Meenakshi who rules over Madurai,
Thillayil aval peyar sivagaami
In Thillai, her name is Sivagami,
Thirukadavoorinilae abiraami
In Thirukaddavoor, she is Abirami,
Thillayil aval peyar sivagaami
In Thillai, her name is Sivagami,
Thirukadavoorinilae abiraami
In Thirukaddavoor, she is Abirami,
Nellayil arul tharuvaal gaandhimadhi
In Tirunelveli, Gandhimathi grants her divine grace,
Nellayil arul tharuvaal gaandhimadhi
In Tirunelveli, Gandhimathi grants her divine grace,
Annai aval allaal yaedhu gathi …..
Other than that Mother, what refuge is there for us?
Madurai arasaalum meenakshi
Goddess Meenakshi who rules over Madurai,
Maanagar kaanchiyilae kaamaakshi
Goddess Kamakshi in the great city of Kanchipuram,
Madurai arasaalum meenakshi
Goddess Meenakshi who rules over Madurai,
Thiripura sundhari seerkaazhiyilae
She is Tripura Sundari in Sirkazhi,
Male :Seerkaazhiyilae…..ae…aaa…aa…aa…aa…
In Sirkazhi... (vocalizing)
Female :Thiripura sundhari seerkaazhiyilae
She is Tripura Sundari in Sirkazhi,
Sivasakthi paarvathi kailaiyilae
She is Sivasakthi Parvathi in Kailash,
Thiripura sundhari seerkaazhiyilae
She is Tripura Sundari in Sirkazhi,
Sivasakthi paarvathi kailaiyilae
She is Sivasakthi Parvathi in Kailash,
Varam tharum karpagamaai mayilaiyilae
She is Karpagambal granting boons in Mylapore,
Varam tharum karpagamaai mayilaiyilae
She is Karpagambal granting boons in Mylapore,
Manjamena nenjil vaazhbavalae
She who resides in our hearts like a divine throne,
Madurai arasaalum meenakshi
Goddess Meenakshi who rules over Madurai,
Maanagar kaanchiyilae kaamaakshi
Goddess Kamakshi in the great city of Kanchipuram,
Madurai arasaalum meenakshi
Goddess Meenakshi who rules over Madurai,
Thiruvaerkaatinilae karumaari
She is Karumari in Thiruverkadu,
Then pudhuvai nagarinile muthu maari
She is Muthu Maari in the southern city of Puducherry,
Thiruvaerkaatinilae karumaari
She is Karumari in Thiruverkadu,
Then pudhuvai nagarinile muthu maari
She is Muthu Maari in the southern city of Puducherry,
Samayapuram thannil magamaayee
She is Magamayee in Samayapuram,
Samayapuram thannil magamaayee
She is Magamayee in Samayapuram,
Sowbaghyam thandhiduvaal maakaali
Mahakali will bestow prosperity,
Sagala sowbaghyam thandhiduvaal maakaali
Mahakali will bestow all forms of prosperity,
Madurai arasaalum meenakshi
Goddess Meenakshi who rules over Madurai,
Sa ga ga gaa ga gaa ga ga ga
[Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization]
Ri ma pa gaa ri
[Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization]
Ga ma ga ma ga ma
[Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization]
Ri ga sa ri ni ri sa
[Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization]
Ga ri sa nee da pa
[Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization]
Ni sa ga ri sa
[Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization]
Sa ri ma ga sa ni da sa
[Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization]
Sa ri ni pa ma pa
[Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization]
Sa ri ni sa ma ri pa
[Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization]
Pa da ni sa ma pa
[Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization]
Ni sa ga ri sa
[Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization]
Ri ga ri ga sa ri ni sa
[Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization]
Ni sa ri pa ga
[Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization]
Ri pa ma ga ri ga sa ri
[Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization]
Ni pa ga ri sa
[Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization]
Ga ma ga ma ri sa ri sa
[Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization]
Sa ri ri sa ri
[Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization]
Ni sa ri ma ga
[Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization]
Sa ni ri sa ni
[Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization]
Ma pa sa
[Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization]
Ma pa ri
[Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization]
Ga ri ri ga ri ri ga ri ri sa ni sa
[Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization]
Ga ri sa ni pa
[Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization]
Pa ma pa ni ni sa
[Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization]
Ni sa ga sa ga
[Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization]
Sa ga ma ga ma
[Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization]
Da ma ga ri sa
[Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization]
Ni sa ni da ma
[Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization]
Ga ma pa ni sa
[Rhythmic Solkattu / Swara vocalization]
Madurai arasaalum meenakshi
Goddess Meenakshi who rules over Madurai,
Maanagar kaanchiyilae kaamaakshi
Goddess Kamakshi in the great city of Kanchipuram,
Madurai arasaalum meenakshi
Goddess Meenakshi who rules over Madurai
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This devotional hymn from Thirumalai Thenkumari celebrates the omnipresence and various manifestations of the Supreme Goddess (Shakthi) across iconic South Indian pilgrimage sites. The song praises how the Mother Goddess resides as Meenakshi in Madurai, Kamakshi in Kanchipuram, Sivagami in Chidambaram, Abirami in Thirukaddavoor, and Gandhimathi in Tirunelveli, asserting that there is no supreme refuge other than Her. As the lyrics progress, they pay tribute to Tripura Sundari of Sirkazhi, Parvathi of Mount Kailash, Karpagambal of Mylapore, Karumari of Thiruverkadu, Muthu Maari of Puducherry, Magamayee of Samayapuram, and Mahakali who bestows all prosperity. The song emphasizes that despite different names and temples, She is the singular divine mother residing in the hearts of devotees, concluding with energetic Carnatic swara passages (solkattu) celebrating Her glory.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Emoni (Anaphora / Initial Rhyme)
“Madurai arasaalum meenakshi / Maanagar kaanchiyilae kaamaakshi”
The repetition of similar consonant/vowel sounds at the beginning of consecutive lines, such as 'Madurai' and 'Maanagar' or 'Thillayil' and 'Thirukadavoorinilae'.
Edhai (Second letter rhyming)
“Thillayil aval peyar sivagaami / Thirukadavoorinilae abiraami”
A key classical Tamil poetic convention where the second letter of adjoining lines shares the same consonant sound ('da' in Madurai, 'na' in Maanagar / 'll' in Thillayil, 'ru' in Thirukadavoorinilae).
Iyaibu (End Rhyme)
“Thillayil aval peyar sivagaami / Thirukadavoorinilae abiraami”
Matching end sounds in successive lines, such as 'Meenakshi' and 'Kaamaakshi', or 'Sivagaami' and 'Abiraami'.
Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)
“Manjamena nenjil vaazhbavalae”
Comparing the heart of the devotee to a divine throne or bed ('manjam') where the mother goddess resides.
Did you know?
Trivia
Composed for the 1970 Tamil devotional travelogue film 'Thirumalai Thenkumari' directed by A. P. Nagarajan, this song features music composed by Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan and lyrics by Ulunthurpettai Shanmugam. The track was sung by P. Susheela and Seerkazhi Govindarajan, serving as a popular devotional anthem celebrating prominent Shakthi temples across Tamil Nadu.
Keep listening
More from Thirumalai Thenkumari
Thirumalai Thenkumari
Thirumalai Thenkumari
Thirumalai Thenkumari
Thirumalai Thenkumari