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Isaimozhi
Rathna Kumar album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Nin Paadham Maraven

From Rathna Kumar · 1949

Lyricist
Papanasam Sivan
Singer
P. Bhanumathi
Music directors
G. Ramanathan, C. R. Subbaraman
Movie name
Rathna Kumar
Movie release year
1949
Lyrics added on
2 May 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Nin paadham maravaen thaayae ambaa
Nee dhayai puri vaayae
Nin paadham maravaen thaayae ambaa
Nee dhayai puri vaayae
Nin paadham maravaen thaayae
Maedhiniyil oru paedhai anaadhai
Maedhiniyil oru paedhai anaadhai
Maedhiniyil oru paedhai anaadhai
Yenakaadhaaram vaeraedhu jeganmaadhaa
Nee dhayai puri vaayae
Nin paadham maravaen thaayae
Maayaa ulagil naan or
Vilayaattu bommai
Maayaa ulagil naan or
Vilayaattu bommai
Neeyae yenai anaindhu
Thaalaattum ammai
Neeyae yenai anaindhu
Thaalaattum ammai
Vaayaal ennaeramum
Vaayaal ennaeramum
Unn pugazh paadi
Vaayaal ennaeramum
Unn pugazh paadi
Manam unadhu malaradi
Ninaindhidavum
Manam unadhu malaradi
Ninaindhidavum
Nee dhayai puri vaayae
Nin paadham maravaen thaayae
I will never forget your holy feet, O Mother Amba
Please shower your grace upon me
I will never forget your holy feet, O Mother Amba
Please shower your grace upon me
I will never forget your holy feet, Mother
In this world, I am a helpless orphan
In this world, I am a helpless orphan
In this world, I am a helpless orphan
What other support do I have, O Mother of the universe?
Please shower your grace upon me
I will never forget your holy feet, Mother
In this world of illusions, I am
just a plaything
In this world of illusions, I am
just a plaything
You are the mother who holds me close
and sings me a lullaby
You are the mother who holds me close
and sings me a lullaby
So that my lips at all times
So that my lips at all times
may sing your praise,
So that my lips at all times
may sing your praise,
and my mind on your flower-like feet
may always dwell,
and my mind on your flower-like feet
may always dwell,
Please shower your grace upon me
I will never forget your holy feet, Mother
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This devotional lyric is a heartfelt prayer dedicated to Goddess Amba, the Divine Universal Mother. The speaker expresses utter surrender, acknowledging themselves as a helpless, innocent orphan navigating a world filled with illusion (Maya). Describing human existence as merely a toy in the grand play of God, the devotee yearns for the soothing warmth, embrace, and comfort of the Goddess, asking her to be like a loving mother singing a lullaby. The core theme centers on complete devotion (Bhakti), asking for divine grace to continuously sing her praises and dwell upon her sacred lotus feet.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Maayaa ulagil naan or Vilayaattu bommai

The speaker metaphorically compares human life in an illusory world to a plaything or toy in the hands of the Divine.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Manam unadhu malaradi

The phrase 'malaradi' combines 'malar' (flower) and 'adi' (feet), metaphorically describing the Goddess's feet as soft and sacred lotus blossoms.

Iyaipu (Rhyming ends)

Neeyae yenai anaindhu / Thaalaattum ammai

End-rhyming structure creating a rhythmic, lullaby-like cadence fitting for a motherly address.

Did you know?

Trivia

Rathna Kumar (1949) featured lyrics penned by the acclaimed Carnatic musician and composer Papanasam Sivan. The movie starred major Tamil cinema pioneers including P. U. Chinnappa and M. G. Ramachandran in supporting roles.

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