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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Mangaadha Pirai

From Mangayar Ullam Mangatha Selvam · 1962

Lyricist
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
Singers
P. Susheela, Ghantasala
Music director
P. Aadhinarayana Rao
Details
Mangayar Ullam Mangatha Selvam1962

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Mangaatha pirai soodum gangatharaOh Gangadhara, who wears the un-fading crescent moon!
Marai pottrum malairaani mageshwaraOh Maheshwara, the supreme lord of the mountain queen praised by the Vedas!
Senthamarai vilvam thigazh shreeharaOh Lord adorned with red lotus and Vilvam leaves!
Karangkuvithom nadana kalai sekara..haa..aa..haa..aaa..haaWe fold our hands in reverence, oh crest jewel of the art of dance..haa..aa..haa..aaa..haa
Male
Baavamum raagamum thaalamum barathamBharatam is emotion (Bhava), melody (Raga), and rhythm (Tala).
Paran umaiyudan kalai piranthathu sarithamHistory tells how art was born when the Supreme Lord united with Goddess Uma.
Mahavishnu mathala thvaniyin thakathimitha sabthajaalamLord Mahavishnu's percussion beats create rhythmic magic with 'Thakathimitha'.
Sathurmaamugan thaalamThe four-faced Brahma maintains the rhythmic cadence.
Vaani magizhum veena kaanamGoddess Saraswati delights in playing the Veena.
Magathaana ragasiyam nirainthidum paramFilled with the supreme divine secret...
Aadhisiva sakthi thaandavamIs the primordial dance of Shiva and Shakti!
Aadhi sivasakthi thaandavamThe primordial dance of Shiva and Shakti!
Aadhi sivasakthi thaandavamThe primordial dance of Shiva payoffs Shiva and Shakti!
Female
Jaljal jal sathangai jadhi naadhamae naatiyamThe sound of anklets ringing 'jaljal jal' and dance rhythmic syllables is dance itself.
Naatiyamae jeevitham..aa..aa…Dance alone is life..aa..aa...
Naatiyamae jeevitham…haa..aaa..Dance alone is life...haa..aaa..
Jaljal jal sathangai jadhi naadhamae naatiyamThe sound of anklets ringing 'jaljal jal' and dance rhythmic syllables is dance itself.
Naatiyamae jeevitham..aa aa aa aaDance alone is life..aa aa aa aa
Naatiyamae jeevitham…haa..aaa..Dance alone is life...haa..aaa..
Jaljal jal sathangai jadhi naadhamae naatiyamThe sound of anklets ringing 'jaljal jal' and dance rhythmic syllables is dance itself.
Female
Nadai azhagaalae nadana kalaiyaalaeWith grace in gait and beauty in dance...
Nadai azhagaalae nadana kalaiyaalaeWith grace in gait and beauty in dance...
Gyaanasabai munnalae padiyudanIn front of the Hall of Wisdom (Gyaana Sabhai), step by step...
Aadi magizhum deviThe Goddess dances with joy.
Female
Jaljal jal sathangai jadhi naadhamae naatiyamThe sound of anklets ringing 'jaljal jal' and dance rhythmic syllables is dance itself.
Female
Navarasa geetham abinaya samedhamSongs of nine emotions (Navarasa) combined with expressive gestures (Abhinaya)...
Navarasa geetham abinaya samedhamSongs of nine emotions (Navarasa) combined with expressive gestures (Abhinaya)...
Navilum thillai saritham saasvathamThe eternal history of Thillai spoken of forever.
Naatiyamae jeevitham..mmmmDance alone is life..mmmm
Jaljal sathangai jadhi naadhamae naatiyamThe sound of anklets ringing 'jaljal jal' and dance rhythmic syllables is dance itself.
Naatiyamae jeevitham….Dance alone is life....
Naatiyamae jeevithamDance alone is life.
Male :Haa..aaa..Male: Haa..aaa..
Jaljal jal sathangai jadhiThe sound of 'jaljal jal' anklets and rhythmic patterns...
Female :Haa..aaa..Female: Haa..aaa..
Jaljal jal sathangai jadhiThe sound of 'jaljal jal' anklets and rhythmic patterns...
Male :Haa..aaa..Male: Haa..aaa..
Jaljal jal sathangai jadhiThe sound of 'jaljal jal' anklets and rhythmic patterns...
Female :Haa..aaa..Female: Haa..aaa..
Male :Haa..aaa..Male: Haa..aaa..
Both :Jaljal jal sathangai jadhiBoth: The sound of 'jaljal jal' anklets and rhythmic patterns...
Naadhamae naatiyam…haaa..That sound alone is dance...haaa..
Female
Carnatic[Carnatic Vocalization / Solkattu]
Jaljal jal sathangai jadhiThe sound of 'jaljal jal' anklets and rhythmic patterns...
Male :CarnaticMale: [Carnatic Vocalization / Solkattu]
Jaljal jal sathangai jadhiThe sound of 'jaljal jal' anklets and rhythmic patterns...
Female :CarnaticFemale: [Carnatic Vocalization / Solkattu]
Both :Jaljal jal sathangai jadhiBoth: The sound of 'jaljal jal' anklets and rhythmic patterns...
Naadhamae naatiyam…haaa..That sound alone is dance...haaa..

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic devotional dance composition glorifies Lord Shiva and Goddess Shakti, depicting the divine origin and cosmic significance of Bharatanatyam. The song beautifully breaks down the acronym 'Bharatam' into Bhava (expression), Raga (melody), and Tala (rhythm), portraying a divine orchestra where Lord Mahavishnu plays the percussion (mridangam), Brahma provides the rhythm, and Saraswati plays the Veena. Through evocative lyrical imagery, the song celebrates dance as an eternal form of worship and the ultimate expression of human and cosmic life, culminating in energetic rhythmic footwork and classical Carnatic solkattus.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Onomatopoeia (Anukaranam)

Jaljal jal sathangai jadhi naadhamae naatiyam

The phrase 'Jaljal jal' mimics the physical sound of anklet bells (sathangai) ringing during dance movements.

Acronym / Etymological Breakdown

Baavamum raagamum thaalamum baratham

The lyrics break down the word 'Baratham' into its three core elements: Bhava (Baavamum), Raga (raagamum), and Tala (thaalamum).

End Rhyme (Iyaibu)

Nadai azhagaalae nadana kalaiyaalae

The lines end with matching rhyming endings 'azhagaalae' and 'kalaiyaalae' to maintain rhythmic flow.

Alliteration (Moonaai / Edhukai)

Navarasa geetham abinaya samedham

The initial 'Na' sound repeats across 'Navarasa', 'Navilum', and 'Naatiyamae', creating structural harmony.

Did you know?

Trivia

Featured in 'Mangayar Ullam Mangatha Selvam' (1962), this song was composed by P. Aadhinarayana Rao and written by Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass. Sung by P. Susheela and Ghantasala, it remains a celebrated example of classical dance compositions in South Indian cinema, incorporating authentic Carnatic rhythmic patterns (jathis and solkattus).

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