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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Mayangukiral Indha

From Prayachitham · 1974

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Sanjay
Movie name
Prayachitham
Movie release year
1974
Lyrics added on
5 Mar 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Mayangugiraal intha
Madurai meenatchi
Maayavan annanai
Kanavillai endru
: Mayangugiraal intha
Madurai meenatchi
Maayavan annanai
Kaanavillai endru
Vaaraai kannaa
En gogula mannaa en annaa
Mayangugiraal intha
Madurai meenatchi
Maayavan annanai
Kaanavillai endru
Manimaada thendral
Vaigaiyil vizhunthu
Malar polum kannil
Kanneer ezhunthu
Varunthum thunbam arivaayo
Udan piranthaalai maranthaayo
Mayangugiraal intha
Madurai meenatchi
Maayavan annanai
Kaanavillai endru
She is overwhelmed with grief,
This Meenakshi of Madurai,
Because she cannot see
Her wondrous brother.
She is overwhelmed with grief,
This Meenakshi of Madurai,
Because she cannot see
Her wondrous brother.
Come to me, Kanna,
My King of Gokulam, my brother!
She is overwhelmed with grief,
This Meenakshi of Madurai,
Because she cannot see
Her wondrous brother.
The breeze from the grand mansions
Falls over the Vaigai river,
In her flower-like eyes,
Tears well up and overflow...
Do you know the sorrow she suffers?
Have you forgotten your own sister?...
She is overwhelmed with grief,
This Meenakshi of Madurai,
Because she cannot see
Her wondrous brother.
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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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From the same album

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