Naan Aayiram
From Durgadevi · 1977
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- P. Susheela
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Durgadevi1977
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Kettaa theriyaathu keduketta maanidane | You will not know by asking, O wretched human man! |
| Paarththaa theriyaathu paavapatta jenmangalae | You will not know by looking, O sinful souls! |
| Unarnthaal theriyumadaa uththami yaar yaar endru | Only when you realize will you know who the virtuous woman is! |
| Female | |
| Naan aayiram kann kaali unai aatti vaikkum neeli | I am Kaali with a thousand eyes, the powerful goddess who sways you! |
| En peru solli yaarum vanthaa kaaththu nirkkum thozhi | If anyone comes invoking my name, I am a protective friend standing guard! |
| Magamaayi endraal en manjal kidaikkum | If you call me Magamaayi, my sacred yellow turmeric will be granted! |
| Aniyaayam senjaa en vanam pirakkum | If you commit injustice, my fierce wilderness rage will be born! |
| Female | |
| Naan aayiram kann kaali unai aatti vaikkum neeli | I am Kaali with a thousand eyes, the powerful goddess who sways you! |
| Female | |
| Eeraththil selai katti veppillai maalai katti | Wearing a wet saree and wearing a neem-leaf garland, |
| Maavilakkeththi vachchu paarungadaa paarungadaa | Lighting the flour lamps, behold, O people, behold! |
| Tharaiyilae thalaippada urulungadaa puralungadaa | Prostrating on the ground, roll and tumble in worship! |
| Ooraiyum kootti vachchu pillaikku perum vachchu | Gathering the entire village and naming the child, |
| Kannigai thottil katti aadungadaa aadungadaa | Tying a virgin cradle, dance, O people, dance! |
| Maalayila poranthava madiyila valarungadaa | The divine girl born in the evening garland shall grow in your lap! |
| Female | |
| Naan aayiram kann kaali unai aatti vaikkum neeli | I am Kaali with a thousand eyes, the powerful goddess who sways you! |
| En peru solli yaarum vanthaa kaaththu nirkkum thozhi | If anyone comes invoking my name, I am a protective friend standing guard! |
| Magamaayi endraal en manjal kidaikkum | If you call me Magamaayi, my sacred yellow turmeric will be granted! |
| Aniyaayam senjaa en vanam pirakkum | If you commit injustice, my fierce wilderness rage will be born! |
| Female | |
| Naan aayiram kann kaali unai aatti vaikkum neeli | I am Kaali with a thousand eyes, the powerful goddess who sways you! |
| Female | |
| Vanjakaththai nenjakaththil vaikkaathae endrum | Never harbor deceit in your heart at any time! |
| Vanjakaththil vanthathellaam nikkaathae | Whatever is obtained through deceit will never last! |
| Edhaiyum maathikkuvae aana engitta maattikkuvae | You can change anything, but you will definitely get caught by me! |
| Ada neethi nilaikkavum ooru thazhaikkavum | Look, for justice to prevail and the village to flourish, |
| Kaali vadivaththil ponnu poranthathu | A girl was born in the formidable form of Kaali! |
| Female | |
| Vanjakaththai nenjakaththil vaikkaathae endrum | Never harbor deceit in your heart at any time! |
| Vanjakaththil vanthathellaam nikkaathae | Whatever is obtained through deceit will never last! |
| Ada andam kulungda bhoomi adhirnthida | Ah, making the cosmos shake and the earth tremble, |
| Aadhi sakthiyin thaandavam | It is the cosmic dance of the primordial power Aadhi Sakthi! |
| Aval aada thodangidum neram piranthathu | The moment has arrived when she begins to dance, |
| Aayiram makkalin thaandavam | It is the cosmic dance of a thousand people! |
| Female | |
| Nee naddanthaa iva nadappaa | If you walk righteously, she will walk along with you; |
| Illai paranthaa iva parappaa | If you fly in arrogance, she will fly higher than you! |
| Nee ozhungaa konjam iruppaa | Be well-behaved and stay in line, |
| Illa unnaiththaan iva pidippaa | Otherwise, she will catch hold of you! |
| Female | |
| Kunguma kaaliyadaa iva santhanamaariyadaa | She is the Vermilion Kaali, she is the Sandalwood Mariamman! |
| Aayimagamaayi ival neeli thirisooli | She is Mother Magamaayi, Neeli, the trident-wielding goddess! |
| Kunguma kaali santhana maari | Vermilion Kaali, Sandalwood Mariamman! |
| Aayi magamaayi neeli thirisooli | Mother Magamaayi, Neeli, trident-bearer! |
| Female | |
| Kunguma kaali santhana maari | Vermilion Kaali, Sandalwood Mariamman! |
| Aayi magamaayi neeli thirisooli | Mother Magamaayi, Neeli, trident-bearer! |
கேட்டாத் தெரியாது கேடு கெட்ட மானிடனே
பார்த்தா தெரியாது பாவப்பட்ட ஜென்மங்களே
உணர்ந்தால் தெரியுமாடா உத்தமி யார் யார் என்று
You will not know by asking, O wretched human man!
You will not know by looking, O sinful souls!
Only when you realize will you know who the virtuous woman is!
நான் ஆயிரம் கண் காளி உனை ஆட்டி வைக்கும் நீலி
என் பேரு சொல்லி யாரும் வந்தா காத்து நிற்கும் தோழி
மகமாயி என்றால் என் மஞ்சள் கிடைக்கும்
அநியாயம் செஞ்சா என் வஞ்சம் பிறக்கும்
I am Kaali with a thousand eyes, the powerful goddess who sways you!
If anyone comes invoking my name, I am a protective friend standing guard!
If you call me Magamaayi, my sacred yellow turmeric will be granted!
If you commit injustice, my fierce wilderness rage will be born!
நான் ஆயிரம் கண் காளி உனை ஆட்டி வைக்கும் நீலி
I am Kaali with a thousand eyes, the powerful goddess who sways you!
ஈரத்தில் சேலை கட்டி வேப்பில்லை மாலை கட்டி
மாவிளக்கேத்தி வச்சுப் பாருங்கடா பாருங்கடா
தரையிலே தலைப்பட உருளுங்கடா புரளுங்கடா
ஊரையும் கூட்டி வச்சு பிள்ளைக்குப் பேரும் வச்சு
கன்னிகை தொட்டில் கட்டி ஆடுங்கடா ஆடுங்கடா
மலையில பொறந்தவ மடியில வளருங்கடா
Wearing a wet saree and wearing a neem-leaf garland,
Lighting the flour lamps, behold, O people, behold!
Prostrating on the ground, roll and tumble in worship!
Gathering the entire village and naming the child,
Tying a virgin cradle, dance, O people, dance!
The divine girl born in the evening garland shall grow in your lap!
நான் ஆயிரம் கண் காளி உனை ஆட்டி வைக்கும் நீலி
என் பேரு சொல்லி யாரும் வந்தா காத்து நிற்கும் தோழி
மகமாயி என்றால் என் மஞ்சள் கிடைக்கும்
அநியாயம் செஞ்சா என் வஞ்சம் பிறக்கும்
I am Kaali with a thousand eyes, the powerful goddess who sways you!
If anyone comes invoking my name, I am a protective friend standing guard!
If you call me Magamaayi, my sacred yellow turmeric will be granted!
If you commit injustice, my fierce wilderness rage will be born!
நான் ஆயிரம் கண் காளி உனை ஆட்டி வைக்கும் நீலி
I am Kaali with a thousand eyes, the powerful goddess who sways you!
வஞ்சகத்தை நெஞ்சகத்தில் வைக்காதே என்றும்
வஞ்சகத்தில் வந்ததெல்லாம் நிக்காதே
எதையும் மாத்திக்குவே ஆனா எங்கிட்ட மாட்டிக்குவே
அட நீதி நிலைக்கவும் ஊரு தழைக்கவும்
காளி வடிவத்தில் பொண்ணு பொறந்தது
Never harbor deceit in your heart at any time!
Whatever is obtained through deceit will never last!
You can change anything, but you will definitely get caught by me!
Look, for justice to prevail and the village to flourish,
A girl was born in the formidable form of Kaali!
வஞ்சகத்தை நெஞ்சகத்தில் வைக்காதே என்றும்
வஞ்சகத்தில் வந்ததெல்லாம் நிக்காதே
அட அண்டம் குலுங்கிட பூமி அதிர்ந்திட
ஆதி சக்தியின் தாண்டவம்
அவள் ஆடத் தொடங்கிடும் நேரம் பிறந்தது
ஆயிரம் மக்களின் தாண்டவம்
Never harbor deceit in your heart at any time!
Whatever is obtained through deceit will never last!
Ah, making the cosmos shake and the earth tremble,
It is the cosmic dance of the primordial power Aadhi Sakthi!
The moment has arrived when she begins to dance,
It is the cosmic dance of a thousand people!
நீ நடந்தா இவ நடப்பா
இல்லை பறந்தா இவ பறப்பா
நீ ஒழுங்கா கொஞ்சம் இருப்பா
இல்ல உன்னைத்தான் இவ பிடிப்பா
If you walk righteously, she will walk along with you;
If you fly in arrogance, she will fly higher than you!
Be well-behaved and stay in line,
Otherwise, she will catch hold of you!
குங்கும காளியடா இவ சந்தனமாரியடா
ஆயி மகமாயி இவள் நீலி திரிசூலி.........
குங்கும காளி சந்தன மாறி
ஆயி மகமாயி நீலி திரிசூலி
She is the Vermilion Kaali, she is the Sandalwood Mariamman!
She is Mother Magamaayi, Neeli, the trident-wielding goddess!
Vermilion Kaali, Sandalwood Mariamman!
Mother Magamaayi, Neeli, trident-bearer!
குங்கும காளி சந்தன மாறி
ஆயி மகமாயி நீலி திரிசூலி......
Vermilion Kaali, Sandalwood Mariamman!
Mother Magamaayi, Neeli, trident-bearer!
Kettaa theriyaathu keduketta maanidane
You will not know by asking, O wretched human man!
Paarththaa theriyaathu paavapatta jenmangalae
You will not know by looking, O sinful souls!
Unarnthaal theriyumadaa uththami yaar yaar endru
Only when you realize will you know who the virtuous woman is!
Naan aayiram kann kaali unai aatti vaikkum neeli
I am Kaali with a thousand eyes, the powerful goddess who sways you!
En peru solli yaarum vanthaa kaaththu nirkkum thozhi
If anyone comes invoking my name, I am a protective friend standing guard!
Magamaayi endraal en manjal kidaikkum
If you call me Magamaayi, my sacred yellow turmeric will be granted!
Aniyaayam senjaa en vanam pirakkum
If you commit injustice, my fierce wilderness rage will be born!
Naan aayiram kann kaali unai aatti vaikkum neeli
I am Kaali with a thousand eyes, the powerful goddess who sways you!
Eeraththil selai katti veppillai maalai katti
Wearing a wet saree and wearing a neem-leaf garland,
Maavilakkeththi vachchu paarungadaa paarungadaa
Lighting the flour lamps, behold, O people, behold!
Tharaiyilae thalaippada urulungadaa puralungadaa
Prostrating on the ground, roll and tumble in worship!
Ooraiyum kootti vachchu pillaikku perum vachchu
Gathering the entire village and naming the child,
Kannigai thottil katti aadungadaa aadungadaa
Tying a virgin cradle, dance, O people, dance!
Maalayila poranthava madiyila valarungadaa
The divine girl born in the evening garland shall grow in your lap!
Naan aayiram kann kaali unai aatti vaikkum neeli
I am Kaali with a thousand eyes, the powerful goddess who sways you!
En peru solli yaarum vanthaa kaaththu nirkkum thozhi
If anyone comes invoking my name, I am a protective friend standing guard!
Magamaayi endraal en manjal kidaikkum
If you call me Magamaayi, my sacred yellow turmeric will be granted!
Aniyaayam senjaa en vanam pirakkum
If you commit injustice, my fierce wilderness rage will be born!
Naan aayiram kann kaali unai aatti vaikkum neeli
I am Kaali with a thousand eyes, the powerful goddess who sways you!
Vanjakaththai nenjakaththil vaikkaathae endrum
Never harbor deceit in your heart at any time!
Vanjakaththil vanthathellaam nikkaathae
Whatever is obtained through deceit will never last!
Edhaiyum maathikkuvae aana engitta maattikkuvae
You can change anything, but you will definitely get caught by me!
Ada neethi nilaikkavum ooru thazhaikkavum
Look, for justice to prevail and the village to flourish,
Kaali vadivaththil ponnu poranthathu
A girl was born in the formidable form of Kaali!
Vanjakaththai nenjakaththil vaikkaathae endrum
Never harbor deceit in your heart at any time!
Vanjakaththil vanthathellaam nikkaathae
Whatever is obtained through deceit will never last!
Ada andam kulungda bhoomi adhirnthida
Ah, making the cosmos shake and the earth tremble,
Aadhi sakthiyin thaandavam
It is the cosmic dance of the primordial power Aadhi Sakthi!
Aval aada thodangidum neram piranthathu
The moment has arrived when she begins to dance,
Aayiram makkalin thaandavam
It is the cosmic dance of a thousand people!
Nee naddanthaa iva nadappaa
If you walk righteously, she will walk along with you;
Illai paranthaa iva parappaa
If you fly in arrogance, she will fly higher than you!
Nee ozhungaa konjam iruppaa
Be well-behaved and stay in line,
Illa unnaiththaan iva pidippaa
Otherwise, she will catch hold of you!
Kunguma kaaliyadaa iva santhanamaariyadaa
She is the Vermilion Kaali, she is the Sandalwood Mariamman!
Aayimagamaayi ival neeli thirisooli
She is Mother Magamaayi, Neeli, the trident-wielding goddess!
Kunguma kaali santhana maari
Vermilion Kaali, Sandalwood Mariamman!
Aayi magamaayi neeli thirisooli
Mother Magamaayi, Neeli, trident-bearer!
Kunguma kaali santhana maari
Vermilion Kaali, Sandalwood Mariamman!
Aayi magamaayi neeli thirisooli
Mother Magamaayi, Neeli, trident-bearer!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This powerful devotional-themed song from the movie Durgadevi (1977) glorifies the fierce avatar of Goddess Kaali and the unstoppable force of divine justice. The lyrics act as a stern warning to evil-doers while assuring protection, prosperity, and blessings to the innocent and righteous. It vividly depicts traditional village rituals such as lighting flour lamps (Maavilakku), rolling on the ground in prayer, and wearing neem garlands, illustrating the deep devotional culture of Tamil Nadu. Through Kannadasan's evocative pen and Ilaiyaraaja's energetic score, the song highlights the omniscience of the divine mother who sees all secrets and rights every wrong. The goddess warns that deceit will never endure and that arrogant actions will invite ultimate divine retribution, establishing the triumph of righteousness over injustice.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Moonaai (Initial Alliteration)
“Vanjakaththai nenjakaththil vaikkaathae endrum”
Repetition of initial consonant sounds across adjacent words, such as 'Vanjakaththai' and 'nenjakaththil'.
Edhukai (Second Letter Rhyme)
“Kettaa theriyaathu keduketta maanidane / Paarththaa theriyaathu paavapatta jenmangalae”
Rhyming of the second letter across lines, such as 'Kettaa' and 'Paarththaa'.
Metaphor (Uruvam)
“Naan aayiram kann kaali unai aatti vaikkum neeli”
Describing the divine protection and omniscience through the metaphor 'aayiram kann kaali' (thousand-eyed Kaali).
Anaphora / Repetition
“Kunguma kaali santhana maari / Aayi magamaayi neeli thirisooli”
Rhythmic repeating of divine epithets and commands to build emotional and devotional intensity.
Did you know?
Trivia
From the 1977 Tamil movie 'Durgadevi', this iconic song features lyrics by Kannadasan and music composed by Ilaiyaraaja. Sung with intense vigor by P. Susheela, the track represents a classic example of the 'Amman' devotional action sub-genre popular in Tamil cinema during the late 1970s.
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