Naanatchi Seithuvarum
From Aathi Parasakthi · 1971
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- P. Susheela
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Details
- Aathi Parasakthi1971
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| {Naanaatchi seidhu varum | In the realm where I rule, |
| Naanmaada koodalilae | In the four-towered city of Madurai, |
| Meenaakshi endra peyar enakku} (2) | My name is Meenakshi. |
| Female | |
| {Gangai neeraatchi seidhu varum | Where the sacred waters of Ganges flow, |
| Vadakaasi thannil | In the northern holy city of Kashi, |
| Visaalaakshi endra peyar vazhakku} (2) | I am famously known as Visalakshi. |
| Female | |
| {Konaatchi pallavartham | In the kingdom ruled by the Pallava kings, |
| Kulirsolai kaanjithannil | In Kanchipuram filled with cool groves, |
| Kaamaakshi endra peyar enakku} (2) | My name is Kamakshi. |
| Female | |
| {Kodum kolaatchi thanai ethirkkum | Opposing tyrannical and cruel rule, |
| Maariyamman endra peyar | Under the name of Mariamman, |
| Kondapadi kaatchi thandhen unakku} (2) | I have appeared in vision before you. |
| Female | |
| {Aarendrum nadhiendrum | Whether called a river or a stream, |
| Odai endraalum | Or termed a small brook, |
| Adhu neerodum paadhaithannai kurikkum} (2) | It all denotes the path along which water flows. |
| Female | |
| {Nirkkum oor maari per maari | Though the town changes and the name changes, |
| Karu maari uru maari | Though the source changes and the form changes, |
| Ondrae om sakthiyena uraikkum} (2) | It all proclaims the ultimate reality: Om Shakti is One. |
{ நானாட்சி
செய்து வரும் நான்மாட
கூடலிலே மீனாக்ஷி
என்ற பெயர் எனக்கு } (2)
In the realm where I rule,
In the four-towered city of Madurai,
My name is Meenakshi.
{ கங்கை நீராட்சி
செய்து வரும் வடகாசி
தன்னில் விசாலாக்ஷி
என்ற பெயர் வழக்கு } (2)
Where the sacred waters of Ganges flow,
In the northern holy city of Kashi,
I am famously known as Visalakshi.
{ கோனாட்சி
பல்லவர்தம் குளிர்சோலை
காஞ்சி தன்னில் காமாக்ஷி
என்ற பெயர் எனக்கு } (2)
In the kingdom ruled by the Pallava kings,
In Kanchipuram filled with cool groves,
My name is Kamakshi.
{ கொடும்
கோலாட்சி தன்னை
எதிர்க்கும் மாரியம்மன்
என்ற பெயர் கொண்டபடி
காட்சி தந்தேன் உனக்கு } (2)
Opposing tyrannical and cruel rule,
Under the name of Mariamman,
I have appeared in vision before you.
{ ஆறென்றும்
நதியென்றும் ஓடை
என்றாலும் அது நீரோடும்
பாதை தன்னை குறிக்கும் } (2)
Whether called a river or a stream,
Or termed a small brook,
It all denotes the path along which water flows.
{ நிற்கும் ஊர்
மாறி பேர் மாறி கரு
மாறி உரு மாறி ஒன்றே
ஓம் சக்தியென உரைக்கும் } (2)
Though the town changes and the name changes,
Though the source changes and the form changes,
It all proclaims the ultimate reality: Om Shakti is One.
{Naanaatchi seidhu varum
In the realm where I rule,
Naanmaada koodalilae
In the four-towered city of Madurai,
Meenaakshi endra peyar enakku} (2)
My name is Meenakshi.
{Gangai neeraatchi seidhu varum
Where the sacred waters of Ganges flow,
Vadakaasi thannil
In the northern holy city of Kashi,
Visaalaakshi endra peyar vazhakku} (2)
I am famously known as Visalakshi.
{Konaatchi pallavartham
In the kingdom ruled by the Pallava kings,
Kulirsolai kaanjithannil
In Kanchipuram filled with cool groves,
Kaamaakshi endra peyar enakku} (2)
My name is Kamakshi.
{Kodum kolaatchi thanai ethirkkum
Opposing tyrannical and cruel rule,
Maariyamman endra peyar
Under the name of Mariamman,
Kondapadi kaatchi thandhen unakku} (2)
I have appeared in vision before you.
{Aarendrum nadhiendrum
Whether called a river or a stream,
Odai endraalum
Or termed a small brook,
Adhu neerodum paadhaithannai kurikkum} (2)
It all denotes the path along which water flows.
{Nirkkum oor maari per maari
Though the town changes and the name changes,
Karu maari uru maari
Though the source changes and the form changes,
Ondrae om sakthiyena uraikkum} (2)
It all proclaims the ultimate reality: Om Shakti is One.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This devotional song from Aathi Parasakthi expresses the core philosophy of Shakta Hinduism: the oneness of the Divine Mother despite her diverse forms and names across different geographic regions. The Goddess speaks directly, identifying herself as Meenakshi of Madurai, Visalakshi of Kashi, Kamakshi of Kanchipuram, and Mariamman, the fierce protector against evil. Through an apt metaphor of water, lyricist Kannadasan illustrates that just as rivers, streams, and brooks are simply different manifestations of flowing water, the Goddess's various local names, icons, and sanctuaries all culminate in the singular cosmic force known as Om Shakti.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Iyaippu (End Rhyme)
“Meenaakshi endra peyar enakku / Visaalaakshi endra peyar vazhakku / Kaamaakshi endra peyar enakku”
The suffix '-aakshi' is repeated across stanzas to create a melodic end-rhyme connecting the localized forms of the Goddess.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Aarendrum nadhiendrum odai endraalum adhu neerodum paadhaithannai kurikkum”
Comparing the various names and forms of the Goddess to different terms for flowing water (river, stream, brook) that ultimately represent the exact same divine essence.
Yamakam / Wordplay (Puns on 'Maari')
“Nirkkum oor maari per maari karu maari uru maari”
Clever repetition of 'maari' alternating between referring to Goddess Mariamman/Karumari and the verb meaning 'changing' (town changes, name changes, form changes).
Did you know?
Trivia
The mythological film 'Aathi Parasakthi' (1971) starred Jayalalithaa as Goddess Sakthi and Gemini Ganesan as Lord Shiva. The iconic music was composed by K. V. Mahadevan, with legendary poet Kannadasan penning the lyrics that eloquently simplify complex Shakta philosophical tenets for the mass audience.
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