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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Mayiladum Paraiyil

From Shanmuga Priya · 1973

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
Jaya Vijaya
Details
Shanmuga Priya1973

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Mayilaadum paaraiyil un mayil nadakkaAs your peacock walks on the rock where peacocks dance,
Valar seval mannulagil vazhi nadakkaAs the growing rooster walks its path upon this earthly world,
Kayalaadum punalodu nadhi nadakkaAs the river flows carrying waters where fish play,
Kandha nee padiththathuthaan kaal nadakkaOh Kandha, as legs move according to your divine order,
Female
Peruyirgal ellaamum nadakkavittuHaving made all great living beings move and thrive,
Pinju magan asaiyaathu saainthirukkaWhile my tender young child lies still and helpless,
Thedugiraen angangal ezhunthu nirkkaI yearn and search for his limbs to rise and stand.
Thirumuruga asaiyaatho unathu ullamOh Holy Muruga, will your divine heart not melt with compassion?
Female
Asaiyaatho unathu ullamWill your heart not move?
Asaiyaatho pillai angam murugaWill this child's limbs not move, Oh Muruga?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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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