Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Munnam Avanudaya Naamam Kettaal

From Parthiban Kanavu (1960 film) · 1960

Lyricist
Appar Thevaram
Singer
P. Leela
Music director
Vedha
Details
Parthiban Kanavu (1960 film)1960

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Munnam avan udaiya naamam kett…aalFirst, she heard His holy name.
Munn…am avan…udaiya naamam kettaalFirst, she heard His holy name.
Munn…am avanudaiya naamam kett….aalFirst, she heard His holy name.
Moorthi…nee avan irukkum vannam…kettaalThen she asked about His divine form and nature.
Pinnai avanudaiya aaroor kettaalNext, she inquired about His sacred abode, Thiruvarur.
Semmaan avanukkae keerthi aanaaalShe became completely enchanted by Him, the glorious Lord.
Semmaan avanukkae keerthi aanaaalShe became completely enchanted by Him, the glorious Lord.
Female
Annaiyaiyum athanaiyumHer mother and her father,
Annaiyaiyum athanaiyumHer mother and her father,
Anbae neethaalShe abandoned them out of devotion.
Agandraal agilida kalachaarathaiShe transcended all worldly customs and conventions.
Female
Thanai marandhaalShe forgot her own self.
Than naamam kettaalShe lost awareness of her own name.
Thannai marandhaalShe forgot her own self.
Than naamam kettaalShe lost awareness of her own name.
Thalaipattaal nangai thalaivan thaalaeThis maiden reached and surrendered at her Lord's feet.
Thannai marandhaalShe forgot her own self.
Than naamam kettaalShe lost awareness of her own name.
Thalaipattaal nangai thalaivan thaalaeThis maiden reached and surrendered at her Lord's feet.
Thalaivan thaalae…………….At the divine feet of her Lord...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a divine hymn composed by Saint Thirunavukkarasar (Appar) from the sacred Thirumurai (Thevaram collection), adapted into the film Parthiban Kanavu. Written in the tradition of Nayaka-Nayaki Bhava (bridal mysticism), the poem allegorically depicts the journey of the human soul (the maiden) yearning for union with the Supreme Being, Lord Shiva.\n\nThe spiritual progression moves from hearing the divine name to seeking His form and holy abode. Deeply consumed by divine love, the soul surrenders all worldly ties—her family, social expectations, and ultimately her personal ego and identity—culminating in total self-surrender (Saranagathi) at the sacred feet of the Lord.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Nayaka-Nayaki Bhava (Bridal Mysticism Allegory)

Munnam avan udaiya naamam kettaal

The poet uses the persona of a young woman falling madly in love with a beloved to express the soul's profound spiritual longing for Lord Shiva.

Gradation / Climax (Spiritual Evolution)

Moorthi nee avan irukkum vannam kettaal... Pinnai avanudaiya aaroor kettaal

The lyrics build progressively from hearing a name to learning about the form, seeking the abode, abandoning worldly ties, forgetting the self, and finally reaching the Lord's feet.

Repetition (Thiruppam / Emphasis)

Thanai marandhaal / Than naamam kettaal

The repetition of 'Thanai marandhaal' and 'Than naamam kettaal' underscores the total dissolution of personal ego and earthly identity in divine devotion.

Did you know?

Trivia

This famous verse is a Thirukkurunthogai hymn from the 6th Thirumurai composed by Saint Thirunavukkarasar (Appar), one of the prominent 63 Nayanmars. In the 1960 historical film 'Parthiban Kanavu' (directed by D. Yoganand, starring Gemini Ganesan and Vyjayanthimala), this timeless devotional poem was set to classical music composed by S. V. Venkatraman and rendered beautifully to reflect Chola-era cultural grandeur.

Keep listening

More from Parthiban Kanavu (1960 film)