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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Mayiladum Paraiyil

From Shanmuga Priya · 1973

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
Jaya Vijaya
Movie name
Shanmuga Priya
Movie release year
1973
Lyrics added on
1 Apr 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Mayilaadum paaraiyil un mayil nadakka
Valar seval mannulagil vazhi nadakka
Kayalaadum punalodu nadhi nadakka
Kandha nee padiththathuthaan kaal nadakka
Peruyirgal ellaamum nadakkavittu
Pinju magan asaiyaathu saainthirukka
Thedugiraen angangal ezhunthu nirkka
Thirumuruga asaiyaatho unathu ullam
Asaiyaatho unathu ullam
Asaiyaatho pillai angam muruga
While your peacock walks upon the rocks where peacocks dance,
While the rooster walks along its path upon the earth,
While the river flows with waters where fish play,
O Kanda, you mastered the power to make feet walk;
You let all living beings walk freely,
While my tender child lies limp and motionless.
I yearn to see his limbs rise and stand;
O Lord Muruga, will your heart not be moved?
Will your heart not be moved?
Will my child's limbs not move, O Muruga...?
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This poignant song is a mother's despairing prayer to Lord Muruga seeking healing for her paralyzed or motionless child. She points out the cruel irony that while the entire universe—peacocks, roosters, rivers, and all living beings—moves seamlessly according to divine will, her own innocent child lies immobile. She pleads directly with Lord Muruga, questioning if His heart is so unyielding that it will not melt with compassion to restore movement to the child's helpless limbs.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhukai (Second Letter Rhyme) & Anaphora

Mayilaadum paaraiyil un mayil nadakka

The lines feature consistent rhythmic repetition ending with 'nadakka' (walk/move), establishing a contrast between universal movement and the child's immobility.

Rhetorical Question

Thirumuruga asaiyaatho unathu ullam

The lyricist uses poignant rhetorical questioning ('Asaiyaatho' - Will it not move?) to invoke emotional depth and plead for divine grace.

Contrast / Antithesis

Peruyirgal ellaamum nadakkavittu / Pinju magan asaiyaathu saainthirukka

Juxtaposes the active movement of nature ('peruyirgal ellaamum nadakkavittu') with the agonizing stillness of the child ('pinju magan asaiyaathu saainthirukka').

Did you know?

Trivia

The film score was composed by the devotional musician duo Jaya Vijaya (brothers J.V. Vijayan and J.V. Raghavulu), known for bringing rich Carnatic classical and devotional nuances to Tamil cinema.

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