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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Mayangukiral Indha

From Prayachitham · 1974

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Sanjay
Details
Prayachitham1974

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Mayangugiraal inthaShe is swooning, this
Madurai meenatchiMeenakshi of Madurai
Maayavan annanaiThat her brother, the enchanting Lord Vishnu
Kanavillai endruIs nowhere to be seen
Female
: Mayangugiraal inthaShe is swooning, this
Madurai meenatchiMeenakshi of Madurai
Maayavan annanaiThat her brother, the enchanting Lord Vishnu
Kaanavillai endruIs nowhere to be seen
Female
Vaaraai kannaaO Krishna, please come!
En gogula mannaa en annaaO King of Gokulam, my dear brother!
Female
Mayangugiraal inthaShe is swooning, this
Madurai meenatchiMeenakshi of Madurai
Maayavan annanaiThat her brother, the enchanting Lord Vishnu
Kaanavillai endruIs nowhere to be seen
Female
Manimaada thendralThe breeze from the balcony
Vaigaiyil vizhunthuFalls into the river Vaigai
Malar polum kannilIn her flower-like eyes
Kanneer ezhunthuTears well up
Varunthum thunbam arivaayoWill you realize the grief that afflicts her?
Udan piranthaalai maranthaayoHave you forgotten your own sister?
Female
Mayangugiraal inthaShe is swooning, this
Madurai meenatchiMeenakshi of Madurai
Maayavan annanaiThat her brother, the enchanting Lord Vishnu
Kaanavillai endruIs nowhere to be seen

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant song draws upon Hindu mythology, specifically the sacred sibling bond between Goddess Meenakshi of Madurai and her divine brother, Lord Vishnu (referred to as Maayavan or Krishna). The protagonist expresses deep anguish and longing for her brother, metaphorically framing her distress as Goddess Meenakshi swooning in tearful despair when her brother Krishna is absent. Set against the atmospheric backdrop of Madurai, the Vaigai river, and soft evening breezes, lyricist Kannadasan captures emotional desperation. The song implores the brother—the 'King of Gokulam'—to return and acknowledge the suffering of a sister who feels forgotten.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Moonaai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Mayangugiraal intha / Madurai meenatchi / Maayavan annanai

Repetition of the initial 'Ma' sound across words creates a rhythmic and melodic flow.

Edhukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Varunthum thunbam arivaayo / Udan piranthaalai maranthaayo

The second consonant 'ra' matches across adjacent lines ('Varunthum' and 'Udan' / 'maranthaayo'), providing traditional Tamil poetic balance.

Uvamai (Simile)

Malar polum kannil

Compares eyes to delicate flowers ('Malar polum kannil') to emphasize beauty and vulnerability in grief.

Mythological Allusion

Madurai meenatchi / Maayavan annanai

References the cultural belief in Tamil tradition that Goddess Meenakshi of Madurai is the sister of Lord Vishnu (Azhagar).

Did you know?

Trivia

In South Indian temple tradition, Lord Vishnu (Kallazhagar) travels from Alagar Koyil to Madurai to attend the grand celestial wedding of his sister Goddess Meenakshi to Lord Shiva (Sundareswarar). Lyricist Kannadasan deftly leverages this iconic Tamil motif to portray deep sibling affection in a film context.

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