Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Mazhaikala Megam

From Kasthuri Vijayam · 1975

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
Vani Jairam
Music director
V. Kumar
Details
Kasthuri Vijayam1975

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Mazhaikkaala megam maharajan vaazhgaLong live the great king, who is like a monsoon-bearing cloud!
Mazhaikkaala megam maharajan vaazhgaLong live the great king, who is like a monsoon-bearing cloud!
Vattradha deepam sindhum oli pola vaazhgaMay you live on like the light emitted by an eternal, unceasing lamp!
Mazhaikkaala megam maharajan vaazhgaLong live the great king, who is like a monsoon-bearing cloud!
Female
Sariyana neram sollum bagavanin geethaiThe Bhagavad Gita of the Lord speaks of the right opportune time,
Than koondhal soodi kondal panchali kodhaiWhen Panchali, the garlanded woman, tied up her hair in flower,
Sariyana neram sollum bagavanin geethaiThe Bhagavad Gita of the Lord speaks of the right opportune time,
Than koondhal soodi kondal panchali kodhaiWhen Panchali, the garlanded woman, tied up her hair in flower,
Kannana dharmam ingae pagaivorum engaeWhen precious righteousness is right here, where can enemies stand?
Pangali unnai kandal pagaiyaali engaeWhen a true kinsman sees you, where can a foe remain?
Female
Mazhaikkaala megam maharajan vaazhgaLong live the great king, who is like a monsoon-bearing cloud!
Female
Aadum pagadai kaayai uruttum sakuni mamanaeO Uncle Shakuni, who rolls the deceitful playing dice,
Allum pagalum unnai edhirkkum naanae paarthanaeI am Arjuna (Partha) who opposes you day and night!
Aadum pagadai kaayai uruttum sakuni mamanaeO Uncle Shakuni, who rolls the deceitful playing dice,
Allum pagalum unnai edhirkkum naanae paarthanaeI am Arjuna (Partha) who opposes you day and night!
Kaandeepam ingae undu kalam onru ingae unduThe bow Gaandeevam is here, and a battlefield is here,
Kanna un villai engae vaithay indruO Krishna, where have you placed your bow today?
Female
Mazhaikkaala megam maharajan vaazhgaLong live the great king, who is like a monsoon-bearing cloud!
Female
Ippodhu ezhupathaindhu innum nooranduNow at seventy-five years, may you live a hundred more,
Ilami nee kana vendum en veetai aanduMay you experience youth while presiding over my home,
Ippodhu ezhupathaindhu innum nooranduNow at seventy-five years, may you live a hundred more,
Ilami nee kana vendum en veetai aanduMay you experience youth while presiding over my home,
Female
Raja un ullamthanae poyyai solladhuO King, your truthful heart will never speak a lie,
Raja un ullamthanae poyyai solladhuO King, your truthful heart will never speak a lie,
Thalaimai nee yaetru kondaal panjam varadhuIf you assume leadership, famine will never approach,
Thalaimai nee yaetru kondaal panjam varadhuIf you assume leadership, famine will never approach,
Female
Mazhaikkaala megam maharajan vaazhgaLong live the great king, who is like a monsoon-bearing cloud!
Vattradha deepam sindhum oli pola vaazhgaMay you live on like the light emitted by an eternal, unceasing lamp!
Female
Mazhaikkaala megam maharajan vaazhgaLong live the great king, who is like a monsoon-bearing cloud!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a celebratory panegyric honoring an elder leader or patriarch on his 75th birthday (Pavalavizha). The lyrics compare the noble protagonist to a monsoon cloud that selflessly brings prosperity and life to the land, and to a lamp that continuously spreads light and warmth.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Upamai (Simile)

Vattradha deepam sindhum oli pola vaazhga

Compares the continuous, benevolent life of the king to the endless light shed by an unceasing lamp using the explicit comparative word 'pola'.

Uruvagaim (Metaphor)

Mazhaikkaala megam maharajan vaazhga

Directly compares the king to a monsoon cloud ('Mazhaikkaala megam') that brings life-giving rain without expecting anything in return.

Mahabharata Allusions (Puranic Imagery)

Aadum pagadai kaayai uruttum sakuni mamanae

Kannadasan masterfully weaves characters and concepts from the epic Mahabharata (Panchali, Shakuni, Partha/Arjuna, Gaandeevam bow, Gita) to symbolize justice triumphing over deceit.

Edhurai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Ippodhu ezhupathaindhu innum noorandu

The second consonant sound matches across adjacent lines ('Ippodhu' and 'Ilami'), creating rhythm.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by the legendary lyricist Kannadasan, this song draws heavily on Mahabharata allegories to honor a righteous patriarch celebrating his 75th milestone year. Kannadasan frequently used epic analogies in film songs to signify moral fortitude and leadership.

Keep listening

More from Kasthuri Vijayam