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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
Details
Devi Sri Karumari Amman1974

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Nadakkattum leelai karumaariLet your divine play continue, Karumaari
Nadakkattum leelai karumaariLet your divine play continue, Karumaari
Naan unnai kaanbaen kungumakkaariI shall behold you, oh goddess adorned with vermilion
Naan unnai kaanbaen kungumakkaariI shall behold you, oh goddess adorned with vermilion
Enakkum oru naal kaalam vellumOne day, time will triumph for me too
Male
Nadakkattum leelai karumaari….Let your divine play continue, Karumaari...
Male
Enaippola oru pilai unakkingu yaethuWhere is another child like me for you here?
En veeduthaanae nee vaazhum veeduIsn't my house the very home where you reside?
Enaippola oru pilai unakkingu yaethuWhere is another child like me for you here?
En veeduthaanae nee vaazhum veeduIsn't my house the very home where you reside?
Male
Naan thanthu pirar vaanga nee paarththathennaWhy did you watch while I gave and others received?
Pirar indru tharugindra nilai vanthathennaWhy has a situation come where others now give to me?
Naan thanthu pirar vaanga nee paarththathennaWhy did you watch while I gave and others received?
Pirar indru tharugindra nilai vanthathennaWhy has a situation come where others now give to me?
Enakkum oru naal kaalam vellumOne day, time will triumph for me too
Male
Nadakkattum leelai karumaari….Let your divine play continue, Karumaari...
Male
Vidhi maari nidhi maari vilaiyaadum pothumEven when fate changes and wealth turns into a game
Kadhi maari madhi maari kan mooda maattaenEven if refuge and wisdom change, I will not close my eyes in surrender
Vidhi maari nidhi maari vilaiyaadum pothumEven when fate changes and wealth turns into a game
Kadhi maari madhi maari kan mooda maattaenEven if refuge and wisdom change, I will not close my eyes in surrender
Male
Karumaari urumaari enaithaedi vanthuKarumaari will change her form and come searching for me
Malar mari pozhivaar en thaai meethu aanaiShe will shower a rain of flowers, I swear on my mother
Karumaari urumaari enaithaedi vanthuKarumaari will change her form and come searching for me
Malar mari pozhivaar en thaai meethu aanaiShe will shower a rain of flowers, I swear on my mother
Enakkum oru naal kaalam vellumOne day, time will triumph for me too
Male
: Nadakkattum leelai karumaari….Let your divine play continue, Karumaari...
Male
Suththa manaththodu bakthi seluththiyaBefore the child who offered devotion with a pure heart
Pillaiyin munnaadiBefore the child
Thurithamaaga vara thayakkamennaWhy the hesitation to come swiftly?
Adi solladi thirisoozhiHey tell me, oh trident-bearing goddess!
Male
Sakthiyendra peyar sollumpothuWhen the name Sakthi is spoken
oru sakthi tharum neeliOh Neeli who bestows strength
Unnai azhaikkindraenI am calling you
Un pillai azhaikkindrenYour child is calling you
Solladi magamaayiSpeak, oh Magamaayi
Vanthu nilladi karumaariCome and stand before me, Karumaari
Mm…enakkum oru naal kaalam vellumMm... one day, time will triumph for me too
Male
Nadakkattum leelai karumaari….Let your divine play continue, Karumaari...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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.

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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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