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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nandha Baalaa Yen Manaalaa

From Meera (1945) Film · 1945

Lyricist
Parthi Bhaskar
Singer
Radha Sadasivam
Music director
S. V. Venkatraman
Details
Meera (1945) Film1945

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Nandha baalaa en manaalaaOh child of Nanda, my beloved groom!
Ingu vaaraai giridhaariCome here, Oh Giridhari!
Nandha baalaa en manaalaaOh child of Nanda, my beloved groom!
Ingu vaaraai giridhaariCome here, Oh Giridhari!
Female
Indha maalai nee soodiAdorn this garland,
Anbu koodiwith overflowing love,
Vilaiyaada ingu vaaraaicome here to play!
Ennai paaraai giridhaariLook at me, Oh Giridhari!
Indha maalai nee soodi anbu koodiAdorn this garland with overflowing love,
Vilaiyaada ingu vaaraaicome here to play!
Ennai paaraai giridhaariLook at me, Oh Giridhari!
Female
Nandha baalaa en manaalaaOh child of Nanda, my beloved groom!
Ingu vaaraai giridhaariCome here, Oh Giridhari!
Female
Murali moganaa…Oh charming flutist...
Hae murali moganaa…Hey, charming flutist...
Moganaa…Oh captivating one...
Hae murali moganaa…Hey, charming flutist...
Karunaalaya sundharaaOh handsome abode of compassion!
Murali moganaa moganaaOh charming flutist, captivating one!
Female
Abalai ennaiyaeMe, a helpless woman,
Ariyaa paruvandhannilduring my innocent childhood years,
Abalai ennaiyaeMe, a helpless woman,
Ariyaa paruvandhannilduring my innocent childhood years,
Adimai nee kondadhaiyou claimed me as your devotee/servant,
Andrae marandhaayodid you forget that day itself?
Adimai nee kondadhaiyou claimed me as your devotee/servant,
Andrae marandhaayodid you forget that day itself?
Unnaiyallaal inbam undoIs there any joy other than you?
Giridhaari nandhabaalaaOh Giridhari, child of Nanda!
Unnaiyallaal inbam undoIs there any joy other than you?
GiridhaariOh Giridhari!
Female
Nandha baalaa en manaalaaOh child of Nanda, my beloved groom!
Nandha baalaa en manaalaaOh child of Nanda, my beloved groom!
Nandha baalaa en manaalaaOh child of Nanda, my beloved groom!
Nandha baalaa nandha baalaaOh child of Nanda, child of Nanda!
Nandha baalaa nandha baalaaOh child of Nanda, child of Nanda!
Nandha baalaa nandha baalaaOh child of Nanda, child of Nanda!
Nandha baalaa nandha baalaaOh child of Nanda, child of Nanda!
Nandha baalaa nandha baalaaOh child of Nanda, child of Nanda!
Nandha baalaa nandha baalaaOh child of Nanda, child of Nanda!
Nandha baalaa nandha baalaaOh child of Nanda, child of Nanda!
Nandha baalaa nandha baalaaOh child of Nanda, child of Nanda!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is an ardent devotional plea sung by Meerabai expressing her unyielding love and devotion (Madhura Bhakti) for Lord Krishna. She addresses him lovingly as her lord and groom, asking him to accept her offering of love and garland. She reminds him of her childhood surrender when she accepted Krishna as her sole master, pleading with him not to forget or abandon her now. The song concludes with rhythmic repetitive chanting of his name, symbolizing ecstatic devotional absorption.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Epithet / Devotional Titles

Karunaalaya sundharaa

Use of various traditional epithets for Lord Krishna such as 'Giridhaari' (he who lifted the Govardhana hill), 'Murali Moganaa' (charming flutist), and 'Karunaalaya' (abode of mercy) to evoke different divine attributes.

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Abalai ennaiyae / Ariyaa paruvandhannil

Rhyming of second consonant letters in Tamil poetry, seen in 'Abalai' and 'Ariyaa' / 'Adimai' across verses.

Repetition (Anaphora / Naam Sankeertan)

Nandha baalaa nandha baalaa

Rhythmic repetition of 'Nandha baalaa' at the climax reflects the traditional Kirtan format of chanting the divine name incessantly.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Meera' (1945) is a landmark Indian devotional film directed by American filmmaker Ellis R. Dungan, starring the legendary Carnatic vocalist M. S. Subbulakshmi as Mirabai. The immense success of the film and its music led to a Hindi version in 1947, introduced by Sarojini Naidu, which cemented M. S. Subbulakshmi's status as a national icon.

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