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IsaimozhiLyrics · Translation · Meaning

Lyrics & meaning

Naanatchi Seithuvarum

From Aathi Parasakthi · 1971

Lyricist: Kannadasan
Singer: P. Susheela
Music director: K. V. Mahadevan
Movie name: Aathi Parasakthi
Movie release year: 1971
Lyrics added on: 12 Oct 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics

↻ English translation

{Naanaatchi seidhu varum

Naanmaada koodalilae

Meenaakshi endra peyar enakku} (2)

{Gangai neeraatchi seidhu varum

Vadakaasi thannil

Visaalaakshi endra peyar vazhakku} (2)

{Konaatchi pallavartham

Kulirsolai kaanjithannil

Kaamaakshi endra peyar enakku} (2)

{Kodum kolaatchi thanai ethirkkum

Maariyamman endra peyar

Kondapadi kaatchi thandhen unakku} (2)

{Aarendrum nadhiendrum

Odai endraalum

Adhu neerodum paadhaithannai kurikkum} (2)

{Nirkkum oor maari per maari

Karu maari uru maari

Ondrae om sakthiyena uraikkum} (2)

In the realm where I rule,

in the city of Madurai with its four grand towers,

my name is Meenakshi.

Where the waters of the Ganges reign,

in northern Kashi,

I am known by the name Visalakshi.

In the kingdom of the Pallava kings,

in Kanchi with its cool, shady groves,

my name is Kamakshi.

To stand against cruel tyranny,

taking on the name of Mariamman,

I have appeared before you.

Whether you call it a river or a stream,

or even a little brook,

it all refers to the path where water flows.

Though the town changes and the name changes,

though the form and appearance change,

everything proclaims that the one power is Om Sakthi.

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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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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