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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nadakkattum Leelai Karumari

From Devi Sri Karumari Amman · 1974

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Movie name
Devi Sri Karumari Amman
Movie release year
1974
Lyrics added on
23 Jun 2023

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Nadakkattum leelai karumaari
Nadakkattum leelai karumaari
Naan unnai kaanbaen kungumakkaari
Naan unnai kaanbaen kungumakkaari
Enakkum oru naal kaalam vellum
Nadakkattum leelai karumaari….
Enaippola oru pilai unakkingu yaethu
En veeduthaanae nee vaazhum veedu
Enaippola oru pilai unakkingu yaethu
En veeduthaanae nee vaazhum veedu
Naan thanthu pirar vaanga nee paarththathenna
Pirar indru tharugindra nilai vanthathenna
Naan thanthu pirar vaanga nee paarththathenna
Pirar indru tharugindra nilai vanthathenna
Enakkum oru naal kaalam vellum
Nadakkattum leelai karumaari….
Vidhi maari nidhi maari vilaiyaadum pothum
Kadhi maari madhi maari kan mooda maattaen
Vidhi maari nidhi maari vilaiyaadum pothum
Kadhi maari madhi maari kan mooda maattaen
Karumaari urumaari enaithaedi vanthu
Malar mari pozhivaar en thaai meethu aanai
Karumaari urumaari enaithaedi vanthu
Malar mari pozhivaar en thaai meethu aanai
Enakkum oru naal kaalam vellum
: Nadakkattum leelai karumaari….
Suththa manaththodu bakthi seluththiya
Pillaiyin munnaadi
Thurithamaaga vara thayakkamenna
Adi solladi thirisoozhi
Sakthiyendra peyar sollumpothu
oru sakthi tharum neeli
Unnai azhaikkindraen
Un pillai azhaikkindren
Solladi magamaayi
Vanthu nilladi karumaari
Mm…enakkum oru naal kaalam vellum
Nadakkattum leelai karumaari….
Let your divine play go on, Karumari!
Let your divine play go on, Karumari!
I will see you one day, goddess adorned with kumkum!
I will see you one day, goddess adorned with kumkum!
Time will favor me too, one day!
Let your divine play go on, Karumari...
What mistake of yours exists here like me?
Isn't my home the very place where you live?
What mistake of yours exists here like me?
Isn't my home the very place where you live?
You watched as I gave and others received,
Why has the day come when others must give to me?
You watched as I gave and others received,
Why has the day come when others must give to me?
Time will favor me too, one day!
Let your divine play go on, Karumari...
Even when fate turns and wealth shifts in your game,
Though my refuge changes and mind wavers, I will not close my eyes in defeat!
Even when fate turns and wealth shifts in your game,
Though my refuge changes and mind wavers, I will not close my eyes in defeat!
Karumari will take another form and come seeking me,
And shower a rain of flowers—I swear upon my mother!
Karumari will take another form and come seeking me,
And shower a rain of flowers—I swear upon my mother!
Time will favor me too, one day!
Let your divine play go on, Karumari...
Having prayed with a pure heart,
before this child of yours,
why do you hesitate to come swiftly?
Tell me, O bearer of the trident!
When I chant the name of Shakthi,
O Neeli, goddess who grants strength,
I am calling out to you,
your child is calling out to you!
Speak to me, Mahamayi!
Come and stand before me, Karumari!
Mmm... time will favor me too, one day!
Let your divine play go on, Karumari...
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song is a soul-stirring devotional appeal sung with emotional fervor. The singer addresses Goddess Karumaari, accepting her divine play (leelai) while questioning the temporary reversals of fortune in life. Having once been a wealthy giver who is now dependent on others, the devotee maintains unflinching faith that time will turn in his favor and the Goddess will eventually arrive to shower her blessings.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Emoni / Rhyme (Monai and Ethirai)

“Vidhi maari nidhi maari vilaiyaadum pothum / Kadhi maari madhi maari”

Internal and line-ending rhyming sounds like Vidhi / Nidhi / Kadhi / Madhi create a rhythmic and musical flow characteristic of Kannadasan's lyrics.

Repetition (Anaphora)

“Enakkum oru naal kaalam vellum”

The phrase 'Enakkum oru naal kaalam vellum' is repeated as a powerful refrain to emphasize supreme confidence in time and destiny.

Apostrophe

“Adi solladi thirisoozhi”

Directly addressing the deity using intimate and urgent titles such as Karumaari, Kungumakkaari, Thirisoozhi, and Magamaayi.

Did you know?

Trivia

Devi Sri Karumari Amman (1974) is a popular Tamil devotional film dedicated to Goddess Karumari Amman of Thiruverkadu. Kannadasan's lyrics combined with T. M. Soundararajan's powerful, resonant voice made this song an enduring classic regularly played in Amman temples across Tamil Nadu.

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