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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Margazhi Thingal

From Thirumal Perumai · 1968

Lyricist
Andal
Singer
Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Thirumal Perumai1968

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Maargazhi thingalIn the auspicious month of Margazhi,
Madhi niraindha nan naalaaiOn this good day blessed with a full moon,
Female
Neeraada podhuveerThose of you who wish to bathe in holy waters,
Podhumino naerizhaiyeerLet us set forth, O richly adorned maidens!
Female
Maargazhi thingalIn the auspicious month of Margazhi,
Madhi niraindha nan naalaaiOn this good day blessed with a full moon,
Neeraada podhuveerThose of you who wish to bathe in holy waters,
Podhumino naerizhaiyeerLet us set forth, O richly adorned maidens!
Female
Seer mangalaai paadiSinging auspicious songs of praise,
Selva chirumeergaalO prosperous young girls!
Female
Koor vael kodunthozhilanSon of Nandagopan, who wields a sharp spear
Nandha goban kumaranTo protect from cruel forces,
Female
Seer mangalaai paadiSinging auspicious songs of praise,
Selva chirumeergaalO prosperous young girls!
Koor vael kodunthozhilanSon of Nandagopan, who wields a sharp spear
Nandha goban kumaranTo protect from cruel forces,
Yaeraarndha kanniThe beautiful-eyed, young lion cub of Yasodha,
Yasodhai ilam singamWith a dark-complexioned body and red lotus eyes,
Female
Kaar maeni senganHaving a face that glows like the bright sun and soothes like the cool moon,
Kadhir madhiyam pol mugathaanHaving a face that glows like the bright sun and soothes like the cool moon,
Yaeraarndha kanniThe beautiful-eyed, young lion cub of Yasodha,
Yasodhai ilam singamWith a dark-complexioned body and red lotus eyes,
Kaar maeni senganHaving a face that glows like the bright sun and soothes like the cool moon,
Kadhir madhiyam pol mugathaanHaving a face that glows like the bright sun and soothes like the cool moon,
Naaraayananae namakkae parai tharuvaanLord Narayana alone will grant us the grace and drums for our vow,
Paaror pughazh padindhaelo rembaavaai…Praised by the whole world, let us perform this devotion, O maidens!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This hymn is the celebrated opening stanza (Pasuram 1) of 'Tiruppavai', composed by the Vaishnavite saint Andal, as featured in the film 'Thirumal Perumai' (1968). Set during the holy month of Margazhi, Andal calls upon the young cowherd girls of Ayarpadi to awaken early on a full moon day, take a sacred bath, and observe the sacred ritual (Pavai Nombu). The verse describes Krishna as the young lion of Mother Yasodha and the son of Nandagopan, highlighting His dark body, lotus eyes, and a radiant face that shines like the sun while comforting like the full moon. Andal assures her companions that sincere devotion to Lord Narayana will bestow ultimate spiritual grace, blessings, and liberation.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Kadhir madhiyam pol mugathaan

Krishna's face is compared to the radiant sun and cool moon using the explicit comparison word 'pol'.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Yasodhai ilam singam

Krishna is directly addressed as Yasodha's young lion ('ilam singam').

Initial Alliteration (Monaai)

Maargazhi thingal / Madhi niraindha nan naalaai

Repetition of the starting sound 'Ma' in adjacent words creates a rhythmic and melodic flow.

Visual Imagery

Kaar maeni sengan

Vivid color and physical description depicting Krishna's cloud-dark complexion and reddish lotus-like eyes.

Did you know?

Trivia

This stanza is the first of 30 verse hymns in the 'Tiruppavai', part of the sacred Nalayira Divya Prabandham written by Saint Andal in the 8th century. In the film 'Thirumal Perumai' (1968), the music was composed by K. V. Mahadevan, and this song was rendered by playback singer S. Janaki.

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