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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Maraindha Koondilirundhu Vidudhalai

From Meera (1945) Film · 1945

Lyricist
Papanasam Sivan
Singer
M. S. Subbulakshmi
Music director
S. V. Venkatraman
Details
Meera (1945) Film1945

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Maraindha koondilirundhu vidudhalaiGaining freedom from the concealed cage,
Pirandha paravai viraindhodudhaeThe liberated bird rushes forth with joy.
Maraindha koondilirundhu vidudhalaiGaining freedom from the concealed cage,
Pirandha paravai viraindhodudhaeThe liberated bird rushes forth with joy.
Niraindha veli neela vaanilaeIn the vast expanse of the blue sky,
Niraindha veli neela vaanilaeIn the vast expanse of the blue sky,
Niraindha veli neela vaanilaeIn the vast expanse of the blue sky,
Niraindha veli neela vaanilae thannaiIn the vast expanse of the blue sky, forgetting itself,
Marandhu iraivan arul paadudhaeIt sings in praise of the Lord's grace.
Niraindha veli neela vaanilae thannaiIn the vast expanse of the blue sky, forgetting itself,
Marandhu iraivan arul paadudhaeIt sings in praise of the Lord's grace.
Maraindha koondilirundhu vidudhalaiGaining freedom from the concealed cage,
Pirandha paravai viraindhodudhaeThe liberated bird rushes forth with joy.
Female
Thirandha vellampol ennullamLike a flood released, my mind and soul,
KannaninOf Krishna,
Malarndha karunai kazhal naadudhaeSeek His lotus feet overflowing with mercy.
Madai thirandha vellampol ennullamLike a flood bursting through opened floodgates, my heart,
KannaninOf Lord Krishna,
Malarndha karunai kazhal naadudhaeSeeks His divine lotus feet rich with mercy.
Female
Pirandha payan indradaindhaAttaining the true purpose of her life today,
Meeraa…aaa…Meera... ah...
Pirandha payan indradaindhaAttaining the true purpose of her birth today,
MeeraavinMeera's
Uyir uvandhu aanandhakkadal aadudhaeSoul rejoices and bathes in an ocean of supreme bliss.
Pirandha payan indradaindhaAttaining the true purpose of her birth today,
MeeraavinMeera's
Uyir uvandhu aanandhakkadal aadudhaeSoul rejoices and bathes in an ocean of supreme bliss.
Female
Maraindha koondilirundhu vidudhalaiGaining freedom from the concealed cage,
Pirandha paravai viraindhodudhaeThe liberated bird rushes forth with joy.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This iconic devotional song from the classic movie 'Meera' (1945) uses the metaphor of a bird escaping a cage to express the ultimate spiritual liberation of the saint-poetess Meera. Just as a bird set free flies joyfully into the open blue sky singing praises, Meera's soul breaks free from earthly fetters and rushes like an unbridled flood toward the merciful feet of Lord Krishna. Having attained divine union and realized the ultimate goal of human birth, her soul bathes in an endless ocean of supreme joy and divine grace.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamaani (Simile)

Madai thirandha vellampol ennullam

Compares the sudden surge of spiritual longing in the heart to a flood bursting through open sluice gates ('Madai thirandha vellampol').

Uruvagamb (Metaphor)

Maraindha koondilirundhu vidudhalai / Pirandha paravai viraindhodudhae

Compares the human body/material world to a cage ('koondil') and the liberated soul to a bird ('paravai') flying into the open sky.

Moni (Alliteration / Initial Rhyme)

Maraindha koondilirundhu vidudhalai

Repetition of initial consonant sounds like 'Maraindha' and 'Malarndha', or 'Niraindha' across lines, enhancing the rhythmic flow.

Rupaka / Metaphor (Ocean of Bliss)

Uyir uvandhu aanandhakkadal aadudhae

Depicts state of spiritual bliss as an ocean ('aanandhakkadal') in which the soul joyously bathes.

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Trivia

Sung by the legendary Carnatic vocalist M. S. Subbulakshmi, who also starred as Saint Meera in the 1945 film directed by Ellis R. Dungan. The film's grand success established M. S. Subbulakshmi as a national icon across India, particularly after the Hindi version was released in 1947 with an introduction by Sarojini Naidu.

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