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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Mangalam Kaappai

From Thaai · 1974

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
S. Varalakshmi
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Thaai1974

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Mangalam kaappaai sivasakthiProtect my auspiciousness, O Sivasakthi
En maangalyam kaappaai sivasakthiProtect my sacred marital thread, O Sivasakthi
Female
Kungumam kaappaai sivasakthiProtect my vermilion, O Sivasakthi
En kula nalam kaappaai sivasakthiProtect the well-being of my family, O Sivasakthi
Kungumam kaappaai sivasakthiProtect my vermilion, O Sivasakthi
En kula nalam kaappaai sivasakthiProtect the well-being of my family, O Sivasakthi
Female
Kangal iruppathum avarkkagaMy eyes exist only for him
Aa…aa….kangal iruppathum avarkkagaAa... aa... my eyes exist only for him
Pillai kaaval iruppathum avarkkagaProtecting our child is also for his sake
Pennena piranthaval enanakkagaWas I born a woman just for myself?
Nee perarul purivaai sivasakthiGrant me your supreme grace, O Sivasakthi
Pennena piranthaval enakkagaWas a woman born for herself?
Nee perarul purivaai sivasakthiGrant me your supreme grace, O Sivasakthi
Female
Mangalam kaappaai sivasakthiProtect my auspiciousness, O Sivasakthi
En maangalyam kaappaai sivasakthiProtect my sacred marital thread, O Sivasakthi
Female
Entha karaithanil irunthaalumNo matter which shore he is on
Avar entha nilaiyil irunthaalumNo matter what state he is in
Chanthirar sooriyar ullavaraiAs long as the moon and the sun exist
En thalaivanai kaappaai sivasakthiProtect my husband, O Sivasakthi
Thalaivanai kaappaai sivasakthiProtect my husband, O Sivasakthi
Female
Agaligai nambikkai paliththathammaaAhalya's faith came true, O Mother
Andru arunthathi ninaiththathu nadanthathammaaWhat Arundhati envisioned came to pass, O Mother
Kannagi kanneer jeyiththathammaa…aa…aa….Kannagi's tears triumphed in the end, O Mother...
Kannagi kanneer jeyiththathammaa…Kannagi's tears triumphed in the end, O Mother...
Intha kaarigai aasaiyum palikaathaaWill not this woman's desire also come true?
Kaarigai aasaiyum palikaathaaWill not this woman's desire also come true?
Female
Mangalam kaappaai sivasakthiProtect my auspiciousness, O Sivasakthi
En maangalyam kaappaai sivasakthiProtect my sacred marital thread, O Sivasakthi

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This emotional prayer song from the film 'Thaai' (1974) features a devoted wife pleading with Goddess Sivasakthi to protect her husband, her marital bond (maangalyam), and her family line. She reflects on the selflessness of womanhood, declaring that her sight, her life, and her duty to her child are all dedicated to her husband's well-being. To reinforce her plea, she invokes iconic epic figures—Ahalya, Arundhati, and Kannagi—whose patience, chastity, and truth prevailed over supreme suffering. She asks the Goddess if her humble desire for her husband's protection will similarly be granted.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Allusion (Purana and Epic References)

Agaligai nambikkai paliththathammaa / Andru arunthathi ninaiththathu nadanthathammaa / Kannagi kanneer jeyiththathammaa

The lyrics invoke figures like Ahalya, Arundhati, and Kannagi to compare the protagonist's devotion and plight to these legendary chaste women.

Anaphora / Repetition (Emoni/Refrain)

Mangalam kaappaai sivasakthi / En maangalyam kaappaai sivasakthi

The persistent refrain 'sivasakthi' and 'kaappaai' reinforces the prayerful and rhythmic appeal to the deity.

Rhetorical Question

Intha kaarigai aasaiyum palikaathaa

The line asks whether a woman's pure desire will not be fulfilled, emphasizing hope and devout faith.

Consonance / Alliteration (Moni)

Kannagi kanneer jeyiththathammaa

Repetition of consonant sounds like 'k' creates musical cadence in Tamil poetry.

Did you know?

Trivia

Sung by the legendary classical singer and actress S. Varalakshmi, this track stands out for her powerful carnatic-style vocal delivery, which was a trademark of her performance in devotional and dramatic maternal roles during the Golden Era of Tamil cinema.

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