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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Munthum Thamizh

From Kandhan Karunai · 1967

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
A. L. Raghavan, K. P. Sundarambal, A. P. Komala, Jamuna Rani
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Kandhan Karunai1967

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Mundhum thamizh maalai…The foremost Tamil garland...
Muzhanghum vadivelai…And the resounding sharp spear...
Sindhai thanil vaithu…Keeping them in mind...
Sirandhaarkku pughazh maalai…For those who excel, a garland of fame...
Thandhaan karunai thani karunaiHe gave mercy, a unique mercy,
Andha karunai kandhan karunai ammaa…That mercy is Lord Kandhan's mercy, oh mother...
Chorus
Kandhanukku njaanavelFor Kandhan, the Spear of Wisdom
Muruganukku veeravelFor Murugan, the Spear of Valor
Kumaranukku sakthivelFor Kumaran, the Spear of Power
Velanukku vettrivelFor Velan, the Spear of Victory
Chorus
Kandhanukku njaanavelFor Kandhan, the Spear of Wisdom
Muruganukku veeravelFor Murugan, the Spear of Valor
Kumaranukku sakthivelFor Kumaran, the Spear of Power
Velanukku vettrivelFor Velan, the Spear of Victory
Chorus
Kandhanukku njaanavelFor Kandhan, the Spear of Wisdom
Muruganukku veeravelFor Murugan, the Spear of Valor
Kumaranukku sakthivelFor Kumaran, the Spear of Power
Velanukku vettrivelFor Velan, the Spear of Victory
Njaanaval veeravel sakthivel vettrivelSpear of Wisdom, Spear of Valor, Spear of Power, Spear of Victory
Female
Murugaa… Murugaa… Murugaa…Murugaa… Murugaa… Murugaa…
Female
Muruganin arulendraMurugan's divine grace
Mudhalaana porul kanduSeeing it as the ultimate truth
Uruginen anbu murugaaI melted with love, beloved Murugaa
Muruganin arulendraMurugan's divine grace
Mudhalaana porul kanduSeeing it as the ultimate truth
Uruginen anbu murugaaI melted with love, beloved Murugaa
Muthamizh cheppidum thathuva shakthiyaiThe philosophical energy declared by three-fold Tamil
Paruginen vanna murugaaI drank and imbibed, colorful Murugaa
Muthamizh cheppidum thathuva shakthiyaiThe philosophical energy declared by three-fold Tamil
Paruginen vanna murugaaI drank and imbibed, colorful Murugaa
Kallaadha paedhaiyarum kattravarum ondraagiThe unlettered simpletons and learned scholars become one
Kai thozhudhu paadum murugaaWorshiping with folded hands, singing to Murugaa
Kallaadha paedhaiyarum kattravarum ondraagiThe unlettered simpletons and learned scholars become one
Kai thozhudhu paadum murugaaWorshiping with folded hands, singing to Murugaa
Kallaagha nindraalum kaniyaaga kanigindraEven if one stands hardened like a stone, softening them into sweet fruit
Karunai vadivaana murugaaOh Murugaa, personification of mercy
Kallaagha nindraalum kaniyaaga kanigindraEven if one stands hardened like a stone, softening them into sweet fruit
Karunai vadivaana murugaaOh Murugaa, personification of mercy
Karunai vadivaana murugaaOh Murugaa, personification of mercy
Karunai vadivaana murugaaOh Murugaa, personification of mercy
Female
Yerumayil yeri vilaiyaadum mugam ondruOne face mounts the peacock and plays
Eesarudan njaana mozhi pesum mugam ondruOne face speaks words of wisdom to Lord Shiva
Koorum adiyaargal vinai theertha mugam ondruOne face removes the karmic burdens of praising devotees
Kundruruva vel vaangi nindra mugam ondruOne face holds the Vel that split the mountain form
Aaru pada sooranai vadhaitha mugam ondruOne face vanquished Surapadman with six armies
Valliyai manam puriya vandha mugam ondruOne face came to wed Goddess Valli
Aarumugamaana porul neeyarula vendumYou who manifest as six faces must shower grace
Anbargalukkinba nilai kodi thara vendumMust grant millions of joyful states to devotees
Un anbargalukkinba nilai kodi thara vendumMust grant millions of joyful states to your devotees
Atthanae… mutthanae…Oh Lord… Oh precious pearl…
Atthanae mutthanae thathuva chitthanaeOh Father, precious pearl, absolute philosopher-siddha
Baktharukkarul puriyum pazhani malai kandhanaeOh Kandha of Palani Hills who showers grace on devotees
Baktharukkarul puriyum pazhani malai kandhanae…Oh Kandha of Palani Hills who showers grace on devotees…

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a grand devotional invocation celebrating Lord Murugan (Kandhan), detailing his divine attributes, weapons, and six distinct faces (Shanmuga). The lyrics highlight how Murugan's supreme grace brings together people of all backgrounds—the uneducated and the wise alike—uniting them in devotion and melting even the hardest of hearts into compassion.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Anaphora / Repetition (Adukku Thodar)

Kandhanukku njaanavel / Muruganukku veeravel...

Repeated invocation of Lord Murugan's names associated with his sacred spear (Njaanavel, Veeravel, Sakthivel, Vettrivel) to build rhythmic and spiritual intensity.

Contrast / Anthesis (Maranu)

Kallaadha paedhaiyarum kattravarum ondraagi

Contrasting 'Kallaadha paedhaiyarum' (uneducated simpletons) with 'kattravarum' (learned scholars) to signify universal equality before the divine.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Kallaagha nindraalum kaniyaaga kanigindra

Comparing a hardened human heart to a stone ('Kallaagha') that is transformed into ripe fruit ('kaniyaaga') by Lord Murugan's grace.

Enumeration / Detailed Imagery (Aarumugam description)

Yerumayil yeri vilaiyaadum mugam ondru...

Listing each of the six faces (Aarumugam) and describing their respective divine activities (teaching Shiva, defeating Surapadman, marrying Valli, etc.).

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Trivia

This composition is part of the iconic 1967 Tamil devotional film 'Kandhan Karunai', featuring music composed by K. V. Mahadevan and legendary performances by singers including K. B. Sundarambal, P. Susheela, and Sirkazhi Govindarajan.

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