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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Mahaganapathim

From Sindhu Bhairavi · 1985

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
K. J. Yesudas
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Sindhu Bhairavi1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Aaaa…mmm…aaa…naaaVocal improvisations and melodic vocalizations (Alapana)
Thatharinna…nanna…naaa naaaRhythmic solkattu syllables
Aaa…aaa…nnnaa….aaa…Vocal improvisations and melodic extensions
Aaaa….aaa….maa…aaa…..Vocal improvisations and melodic extensions
Thatharinaa ..aaa…..aaaRhythmic solkattu syllables and vocalizations
Male
MahaaganapathimLord Mahaganapati (the supreme Ganesha)
Sree mahaaganapathimGlorious Lord Mahaganapati
Sree mahaaganapathimGlorious Lord Mahaganapati
ManasaasmaraamiI meditate upon Him in my mind
Mahaaganapathim manasaasmaraamiI meditate upon the supreme Lord Ganesha in my mind
Mahaaganapathim manasaasmaraamiI meditate upon the supreme Lord Ganesha in my mind
Mahaaganapathim manasaasmaraamiI meditate upon the supreme Lord Ganesha in my mind
Vasishta vaama thevathi vanthithaRevered and worshiped by great sages like Vasishta and Vamadeva
Mahaaganapathim manasaasmaraamiI meditate upon the supreme Lord Ganesha in my mind
Vasishta vaama thevathi vanthithaRevered and worshiped by great sages like Vasishta and Vamadeva
MahaaganapathimLord Mahaganapati
Male
Aaaa….aaaa…..Vocal vocalizations and alapana
Male
Mahaa thevasuthaamThe son of the supreme God, Lord Shiva
Aaa…aaa..aaa…aaa….aaa…..aaa…Vocal vocalizations and alapana
Mahaa thevasutham guru guhanuthamSon of Mahadeva, praised by Guru Guha (Lord Murugan)
Mahaa thevasutham guru guhanuthamSon of Mahadeva, praised by Guru Guha (Lord Murugan)
Maarakkotti prakaasam santhamRadiant like ten million Cupids (Kamadevas), peaceful and serene
Maarakkotti prakaasam santhamRadiant like ten million Cupids (Kamadevas), peaceful and serene
Male
Mahakaavya nattakkavipriyam…mmm…Fand of epic poetry, drama, and great poets...
Mmm..mahakaavya nattakkavipriyamMmm... Fond of epic poetry, drama, and great poets
Mooshika vaahana mothaka priyaThe one who rides the mouse and loves modakas (sweet delicacies)
Mahakaavya nattakkavipriyamFond of epic poetry, drama, and great poets
Mooshika vaahana mothaka priyaThe one who rides the mouse and loves modakas (sweet delicacies)
Mahaaganapathim manasaasmaraamiI meditate upon the supreme Lord Ganesha in my mind
Vasishta vaama thevathi vanthithaRevered and worshiped by great sages like Vasishta and Vamadeva
MahaaganapathimLord Mahaganapati
Male
Aaaa….aaaaVocal vocalizations and alapana
Male
Sa ri ga mahaaganapathimMusical notes (Sa Ri Ga) - Lord Mahaganapati
Pa ni dha sa ri ga maMusical notes (Pa Ni Dha Sa Ri Ga Ma)
MahaaganapathimLord Mahaganapati
Pa ma ga ma ri sa mahaaganapathimMusical notes (Pa Ma Ga Ma Ri Sa) - Lord Mahaganapati
Pa ni sa ri sa ni ni pa maMusical notes (Pa Ni Sa Ri Sa Ni Ni Pa Ma)
Sa ri ga mahaaganapathimMusical notes (Sa Ri Ga) - Lord Mahaganapati
Ri sa ni pa ni pa ma riMusical notes (Ri Sa Ni Pa Ni Pa Ma Ri)
Sa ri sa ma sa pa sa ni mahaaganapathimMusical notes (Sa Ri Sa Ma Sa Pa Sa Ni) - Lord Mahaganapati
Male
Ni sa ri sa sa saMusical notes (Ni Sa Ri Sa Sa Sa)
Ni sa ri sa saMusical notes (Ni Sa Ri Sa Sa)
Ni sa ni sa ri sa sa saMusical notes (Ni Sa Ni Sa Ri Sa Sa Sa)
Ni sa ri sa saMusical notes (Ni Sa Ri Sa Sa)
Pa ma pa ma ga ma ri sa niMusical notes (Pa Ma Pa Ma Ga Ma Ri Sa Ni)
Sa ri ga ma ga ma ri sa ri sa ri saMusical notes (Sa Ri Ga Ma Ga Ma Ri Sa Ri Sa Ri Sa)
Ni pa ma ni pa ni pa ni pa ni paFast-paced rhythmic swara passages (Ni Pa Ma Ni Pa Ni Pa...)
Ma pa ni pa ni pa ni paFast-paced rhythmic swara passages (Ma Pa Ni Pa Ni Pa...)
Ri sa ri sa ri sa ri saFast-paced rhythmic swara passages (Ri Sa Ri Sa Ri Sa...)
Ni sa ri sa ri sa ri saFast-paced rhythmic swara passages (Ni Sa Ri Sa Ri Sa...)
Male
Ni pa ni pa ni pa ni paFast-paced rhythmic swara passages (Ni Pa Ni Pa Ni Pa...)
Ma pa ni pa ni pa ni paFast-paced rhythmic swara passages (Ma Pa Ni Pa Ni Pa...)
Ri sa ri sa ri sa ri saFast-paced rhythmic swara passages (Ri Sa Ri Sa Ri Sa...)
Ni sa ri sa ri sa ri saFast-paced rhythmic swara passages (Ni Sa Ri Sa Ri Sa...)
Sa ri ri ga ga ma ma paEscalating swara patterns (Sa Ri Ri Ga Ga Ma Ma Pa)
Ga ma pa pa pa pa pa niEscalating swara patterns (Ga Ma Pa Pa Pa Pa Pa Ni)
Pa ni sa ri sa ni pa maDescending swara patterns (Pa Ni Sa Ri Sa Ni Pa Ma)
Sa ri ga mahaaganapathimMusical notes (Sa Ri Ga) - Lord Mahaganapati
ManasaasmaraamiI meditate upon Him in my mind
Vasishta vaama thevathi vanthithaRevered and worshiped by sages like Vasishta and Vamadeva
MahaaganapathimLord Mahaganapati
Aaa….aaaa…Concluding vocal extensions

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This piece is a classical Carnatic composition ('Mahaganapathim') in the ragam Natai, set to Adi Talam, composed originally by Muthuswami Dikshitar and adapted in the film 'Sindhu Bhairavi' (1985). The composition is an invocation to Lord Ganesha, expressing deep mental contemplation and devotion towards Him. He is described as the son of Mahadeva (Shiva), lauded by Guru Guha (Murugan), shining with the radiance of millions of Manmathas, and embodying serene tranquility. He is fond of epic poetry, music, drama, and poets, rides a mouse, and delights in sweet modakas.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Anaphora (Repetition)

Mahaaganapathim manasaasmaraami

The phrase 'Mahaaganapathim' and 'Manasaasmaraami' is repeatedly recited to reinforce devotion and focus during mental meditation.

Imagery / Hyperbole

Maarakkotti prakaasam santham

'Maarakkotti prakaasam' visually depicts Lord Ganesha as radiant as ten million Kamadevas (Cupids).

Swarakshara / Kalpanaswaram (Musical Device)

Sa ri ga mahaaganapathim

The extensive use of solfa syllables (Sa, Ri, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha, Ni) combined with fast-paced rhythmic improvisations (Korvai/Kalpanaswaram) creates a dynamic musical crescendo.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although attributed to Vairamuthu in the film soundtrack listings due to movie credits, 'Mahaganapathim' is a classical Sanskrit Krithi composed by Muthuswami Dikshitar (one of the Musical Trinity of Carnatic Music) set in Natai raga. In K. Balachander's 1985 masterpiece 'Sindhu Bhairavi', this song was arranged by Ilaiyaraaja and rendered by K. J. Yesudas, serving as a powerful demonstration of classical Carnatic mastery by the protagonist J. K. Balaganapathi.

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