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Lyrics & meaning

Nayagan Vadivai

From Karaikkal Ammaiyar · 1973

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan
Movie name
Karaikkal Ammaiyar
Movie release year
1973
Lyrics added on
26 May 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Naayagan vadivai naan paarthen
Naayagan vadivai naan paarthen
Nalla naadagam aadidum vizhi paarthen
Nalla naadagam aadidum vizhi paarthen
Thaayinum karunai manam paarthen
Thaayinum karunai manam paarthen
Thalaivanukkae ennai thandhu vitten
Andha thalaivanukkae ennai thandhu vitten
Naayagan vadivai naan paarthen
Pirappin kaaranam arindhenae
Penmaiyin maenmaiyai purindhaenae
Pirappin kaaranam arindhenae
Penmaiyin maenmaiyai purindhaenae
Sirappin illaram unarndhenae
Sirappin illaram unarndhenae
Undhan saevaiyil nallaram kandenae
Undhan saevaiyil nallaram kandenae
Naayagan vadivai naan paarthen
Sathiyam enbathu kanavan
Adhil thathuvam enbathu manaivi
Sathiyam enbathu kanavan
Adhil thathuvam enbathu manaivi
Uthamam enbathu vaazhvu
Uthamam enbathu vaazhvu
Adhai unarnthavarkkillai endrum thaazhvu
Adhai unarnthavarkkillai endrum thaazhvu
Naayagan vadivai naan paarthen
Nalla naadagam aadidum vizhi paarthen
Thaayinum karunai manam paarthen
Thalaivanukkae ennai thandhu vitten
Andha thalaivanukkae ennai thandhu vitten
Naayagan vadivai naan paarthen
I saw the form of my lord
I saw the form of my lord
I saw eyes enacting a beautiful play
I saw eyes enacting a beautiful play
I saw a heart kinder than a mother's
I saw a heart kinder than a mother's
I have given myself to my lord
To that very lord, I have given myself
I saw the form of my lord
I realized the purpose of my birth
I understood the greatness of womanhood
I realized the purpose of my birth
I understood the greatness of womanhood
I understood the nobility of married life
I understood the nobility of married life
In serving you, I found true virtue
In serving you, I found true virtue
I saw the form of my lord
Truth is the husband
And the philosophy within it is the wife
Truth is the husband
And the philosophy within it is the wife
Noble is such a life
Noble is such a life
Those who realize this will never face a fall
Those who realize this will never face a fall
I saw the form of my lord
I saw eyes enacting a beautiful play
I saw a heart kinder than a mother's
I have given myself to my lord
To that very lord, I have given myself
I saw the form of my lord
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song from the movie Karaikkal Ammaiyar (1973) portrays Punitavati (before she becomes the saint Karaikkal Ammaiyar) expressing her deep love, reverence, and spiritual devotion toward her husband. She sees divine grace in her husband's presence, equating him to a lord who embodies truth and ultimate righteousness. Through Kannadasan's philosophical lyrics, the act of serving one's partner and upholding domestic virtue (Illaram) is presented as a spiritual path that reveals the purpose of life and womanhood. The song emphasizes that a life built on truth, virtue, and mutual understanding prevents any degradation of character.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)

Sathiyam enbathu kanavan / Adhil thathuvam enbathu manaivi

The lyricist equates the husband to 'Truth' (Sathiyam) and the wife to the underlying 'Philosophy' (Thathuvam).

Simile / Comparison (Uwamai)

Thaayinum karunai manam paarthen

The husband's heart is compared to a mother's compassion, stating it exceeds even a mother's love.

Erhugai (Second Letter Rhyming)

Pirappin kaaranam arindhenae / Sirappin illaram unarndhenae

The second letters of 'Pirappin' and 'Sirappin' rhyme ('ra'), creating rhythmic harmony.

Moonaai (Initial Alliteration)

Pirappin kaaranam arindhenae / Penmaiyin maenmaiyai purindhaenae

Initial letters 'Pa' and 'Pe' share consonant alliteration across adjacent lines.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film Karaikkal Ammaiyar (1973) features music composed by Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan. This particular track is rendered by P. Susheela, highlighting the early domestic life of Saint Karaikkal Ammaiyar before her miraculous transformation into a skeletal devotee of Lord Shiva.

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