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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Malai Meedhu Maniyosai

From Saranam Ayyappa · 1980

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
K. Veeramani, Chorus
Music director
Chandrabose
Movie name
Saranam Ayyappa
Movie release year
1980
Lyrics added on
29 Jun 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Saamiyae ayyappa
Saamiyae ayyappa
Saamiyae ayyappa
Saami saranam ayyappa
Malai meedhu maniyosai ayyappa
Mazhai pola jana vellam ayyappa
Malai meedhu maniyosai ayyappa
Mazhai pola jana vellam ayyappa
Alai thaano thalai thaano ayyappa
Alai thaano thalai thaano ayyappa
Adiyaarku arul kodi seiyappa
Malai meedhu maniyosai ayyappa
Mazhai pola jana vellam ayyappa
Thodangidum paettaiyil pudhu ennamae
Thodargindra manamengum un vannamae
Thirupaerur thodennum aattrilae
Thirupaerur thodennum aattrilae
Kaal nadai pottu pori podum koottamae
Aludhaiyil neeradi selgindravar
Aludhaettram malaimeedhu kal kondavar
Kallidum kundrathil idukindravar
Kallidum kundrathil idukindravar
Karimalai arul thannai kaankindravar
Malai meedhu maniyosai ayyappa
Mazhai pola jana vellam ayyappa
Pambaiyil aadiyum deepam nagarthiyum
Bhakthi kondaadiduvaar
Thirupparam porul ganapathy thannai vanangi
Bhakthiyil pongiduvaar
Neeli malai thanil yaeri nadanthu
Sabariyai nerungiduvaar
Angae nilai perum peedam sabariyai kandu
Saranguthi vanangiduvaar
Pathinettu padiyinil poojai nadanthum
Bhakthargal oru kodi
Avar paravasam aanaar thammai maranthaar
Aiyaa unai naadi
Arutperunjodhi migaperun karunai
Aanandha oli veesum
Dhinam angae eriyum sothiyai kandaal
Aadhavan thirukolam
Saamiyae saranam saranam pon ayyappa
Saranam ayyappa
Saamiyae saranam saranam pon ayyappa
Saranam ayyappa
O Lord Ayyappa!
O Lord Ayyappa!
O Lord Ayyappa!
O Lord, I take refuge in you, Ayyappa!
The sound of bells echoes on the mountain, Ayyappa!
A flood of devotees gathers like rain, Ayyappa!
The sound of bells echoes on the mountain, Ayyappa!
A flood of devotees gathers like rain, Ayyappa!
Is that a wave of the ocean, or a sea of heads, Ayyappa?
Is that a wave of the ocean, or a sea of heads, Ayyappa?
Shower countless blessings upon your devotees, Ayyappa!
The sound of bells echoes on the mountain, Ayyappa!
A flood of devotees gathers like rain, Ayyappa!
Pure, fresh thoughts begin at Pettai,
And all along the way, the mind is filled with thoughts of you.
In the sacred stream called Perur Thodu,
In the sacred stream called Perur Thodu,
The crowd walks on foot, tossing puffed rice into the water.
Those who bathe in the Azhutha river and journey on,
Those who carry a pebble while climbing the steep Azhutha hill,
Those who place it at the hill of stones,
Those who place it at the hill of stones,
Those who experience the divine grace of Karimala,
The sound of bells echoes on the mountain, Ayyappa!
A flood of devotees gathers like rain, Ayyappa!
Bathing in the Pamba river and floating lit lamps,
They celebrate their deep devotion.
Worshipping the supreme Lord Ganesha,
Their hearts overflow with devotion.
Climbing on foot up the steep Neeli Hill,
They draw closer to Sabarimala.
Seeing the sacred altar of Sabari there,
They bow in worship at Saramkuthi.
As holy rituals are performed at the eighteen sacred steps,
Countless devotees stand together.
Overcome with pure joy, they forget themselves,
Seeking your holy presence, O Lord!
A supreme flame of grace and boundless compassion,
Radiates with the glowing light of bliss.
Beholding that sacred flame that burns there every day,
It shines with the glorious beauty of the sun!
O Lord, I take refuge in you, my golden Ayyappa!
I surrender to you, Ayyappa!
O Lord, I take refuge in you, my golden Ayyappa!
I surrender to you, Ayyappa!
Chorus
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This devotional hymn written by Kannadasan vividly captures the holy pilgrimage to Sabarimala and the intense fervor of Lord Ayyappa's devotees. It systematically traces the journey undertaken by pilgrims, starting from Pettaithullal at Erumely, bathing in the Thirupaerur river, climbing Aludha hill, dropping stones at Kallidumkunru, conquering Karimalai and Neelimulai, bathing at Pamba, praying at Saranguthi, and finally ascending the sacred Pathinettu Padi (18 steps). The song highlights the grand sight of millions gathered like a sea of ocean waves, united in chanting and devotion, culminating in the sublime vision of the divine Makara Jyothi flame radiating grace like the sun.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uwamai (Simile)

“Mazhai pola jana vellam ayyappa”

Comparing the massive gathering of devotees to rain and floods ('Mazhai pola jana vellam').

Rhetorical Question & Visual Imagery

“Alai thaano thalai thaano ayyappa”

Asking whether the vast sea of heads moving up the mountain is an ocean wave ('Alai thaano thalai thaano').

Emonai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

“Malai meedhu maniyosai ayyappa”

Matching initial letters ('M' sound) across adjacent lines: 'Malai' and 'Mazhai'.

Metaphor (Rupaka Alankara)

“Aadhavan thirukolam”

Comparing the holy eternal flame (Jyothi) directly to the radiant form of the Sun God ('Aadhavan thirukolam').

Did you know?

Trivia

This song serves as a detailed lyrical map of the traditional Sabarimala trek ('Periya Pathai' or long route). Lyrical legend Kannadasan beautifully embedded every key ritual stop—Pettai, Thirupaerur Thodu, Aludha river, Kallidumkunru, Karimalai, Pamba, Neelimulai, Saranguthi, and the 18 steps—making it one of the most spiritually authentic and popular Ayyappa devotional songs in Tamil literature.

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