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Lyrics & meaning

Mannai Ellam Uyirgalakki

From Thirumalai Deivam · 1973

Lyricist
Nellai Arulmani
Singers
S. V. Ponnusami, Sarala
Music director
Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan
Movie name
Thirumalai Deivam
Movie release year
1973
Lyrics added on
28 May 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Mannai ellaam uyirgal aakki
Manidhan ennum paandam seidha maadhavanae
Mannai ellaam uyirgal aakki
Manidhan ennum paandam seidha maadhavanae
Un magimai solla vaarthai yaedhu govindhanae
Undhan maaya vithai yaar arivaar maadhavanae
Un magimai solla vaarthai yaedhu govindhanae
Undhan maaya vithai yaar arivaar maadhavanae
Pallam varum maedu varum paadhaiyil
Konjam paarthu ponaal perumai varum vaazhvinilae
Pallam varum maedu varum paadhaiyil
Konjam paarthu ponaal perumai varum vaazhvinilae
Vellam vandhu kondu pogum munnalae
Kaala vellam vandhu kondu pogum munnalae
Thiruvengadathai paarkka venum kannaalae
Thiruvengadathai paarkka venum kannaalae
Both :Thiruvengadathai paarkka venum kannaalae
{Thulli thulli oodum maadu podhi sumakkuma
Female :Thinam thulasi maalai anindhu kondaal
Thunbam nerungumaa} (2)
Male :Ullathilae avan irundhaal kurai irukkumaa
Namm ullathilae avan irundhaal kurai irukkumaa
Female :Andha ulagalanthavan thunai irundhaal bayamirukkumaa
Andha ulagalanthavan thunai irundhaal bayamirukkumaa
Both :Namakku bayam irukkumaa
Turning mere earth into living beings,
O Madhava, who crafted the clay vessel called man!
Turning mere earth into living beings,
O Madhava, who crafted the clay vessel called man!
What words could ever describe your glory, Govinda?
Who can truly understand your magical ways, Madhava?
What words could ever describe your glory, Govinda?
Who can truly understand your magical ways, Madhava?
There will be dips and rises along the path;
If we walk with care, greatness will come to our lives.
There will be dips and rises along the path;
If we walk with care, greatness will come to our lives.
Before a flood comes and carries us away,
Before the flood of time sweeps us away,
We must behold holy Thiruvenkadam with our own eyes!
We must behold holy Thiruvenkadam with our own eyes!
Both: We must behold holy Thiruvenkadam with our own eyes!
Will a bull that prances and runs around ever carry a load?
Female: If we wear a garland of holy basil (Tulsi) every day,
Will sorrow ever come near?
Male: If he dwells in our heart, will there be any lack?
If he dwells in our heart, will there be any lack?
Female: With that Lord who measured the universe by our side, can there be fear?
With that Lord who measured the universe by our side, can there be fear?
Both: Will we ever have any fear?
Male
Female
Female
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This devotional track from Thirumalai Deivam praises Lord Vishnu (Govinda/Madhava) as the ultimate creator who fashioned humankind from the earth. The song offers philosophical reflection on navigating the ups and downs of human existence with caution and virtue, reminding mortals to seek pilgrimage to Tirumalai (Thiruvengadam) before time sweeps life away. By harboring devotion, wearing sacred Tulsi, and holding the divine in one's heart, all fears and worldly sorrows disappear.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvam)

Manidhan ennum paandam seidha maadhavanae

Compares human creation to a clay pot ('Manidhan ennum paandam'), emphasizing the divine Potter.

Metaphor (Uruvam)

Kaala vellam vandhu kondu pogum munnalae

Compares the relentless passage of time to a rushing flood ('Kaala vellam').

Rhetorical Question

Andha ulagalanthavan thunai irundhaal bayamirukkumaa

Uses questions ('Thunbam nerungumaa', 'bayamirukkumaa') to emphasize complete divine protection and devotion.

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Pallam varum maedu varum paadhaiyil

Rhyming of the second letter 'lla' in 'Pallam' and 'Vellam' across verses.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Thirumalai Deivam' (1973) is a celebrated Tamil devotional film directed by K. S. Gopalakrishnan, centered on the legends surrounding Lord Venkateshwara of Tirupati. The soundtrack was composed by the legendary carnatic violin maestro Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan.

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