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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
Details
Thirumalai Deivam1973

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Mannai ellaam uyirgal aakkiTurning all the soil into living beings,
Manidhan ennum paandam seidha maadhavanaeOh Madhava, who crafted the vessel called human!
Mannai ellaam uyirgal aakkiTurning all the soil into living beings,
Manidhan ennum paandam seidha maadhavanaeOh Madhava, who crafted the vessel called human!
Female
Un magimai solla vaarthai yaedhu govindhanaeWhat words are there to describe Your glory, Oh Govinda?
Undhan maaya vithai yaar arivaar maadhavanaeWho can comprehend Your magical feats, Oh Madhava?
Un magimai solla vaarthai yaedhu govindhanaeWhat words are there to describe Your glory, Oh Govinda?
Undhan maaya vithai yaar arivaar maadhavanaeWho can comprehend Your magical feats, Oh Madhava?
Female
Pallam varum maedu varum paadhaiyilDips and hills will appear along life's path;
Konjam paarthu ponaal perumai varum vaazhvinilaeIf one treads carefully, honor will come into life.
Pallam varum maedu varum paadhaiyilDips and hills will appear along life's path;
Konjam paarthu ponaal perumai varum vaazhvinilaeIf one treads carefully, honor will come into life.
Vellam vandhu kondu pogum munnalaeBefore the flood comes and carries everything away,
Kaala vellam vandhu kondu pogum munnalaeBefore the flood of time comes and sweeps us away,
Thiruvengadathai paarkka venum kannaalaeOne must behold Thiruvengadam with their own eyes.
Thiruvengadathai paarkka venum kannaalaeOne must behold Thiruvengadam with their own eyes.
Both :Thiruvengadathai paarkka venum kannaalaeBoth: One must behold Thiruvengadam with their own eyes.
Male
{Thulli thulli oodum maadu podhi sumakkumaCan a prancing bull carry a heavy load?
Female :Thinam thulasi maalai anindhu kondaalFemale: If one adorns a garland of sacred Tulsi daily,
Thunbam nerungumaa} (2)Will sorrow ever draw near?
Male :Ullathilae avan irundhaal kurai irukkumaaMale: If He resides within our heart, will there be any deficiency?
Namm ullathilae avan irundhaal kurai irukkumaaIf He resides within our hearts, will there be any deficiency?
Female :Andha ulagalanthavan thunai irundhaal bayamirukkumaaFemale: If the Lord who measured the world is our refuge, will there be fear?
Andha ulagalanthavan thunai irundhaal bayamirukkumaaIf the Lord who measured the world is our refuge, will there be fear?
Both :Namakku bayam irukkumaaBoth: Will we ever have any fear?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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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