Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nithya Sumangali Neeye

From Vetri Vinayagar · 1996

Lyricist
Kamakodiyan
Singer
Vani Jairam
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Vetri Vinayagar1996

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Nithiya sumangali neeyae enaSaying you are the eternally auspicious one,
Nilaiyaai nindridum thaayaeOh mother who stands eternal!
Nithiya sumangali neeyae enaSaying you are the eternally auspicious one,
Nilaiyaai nindridum thaayaeOh mother who stands eternal!
Female
Sathiyam adhuvenil bhakthai en kungumamIf truth be so, grant your grace so that
Nilaithida arul peruvaaiyaeMy vermilion, as your devotee, remains forever!
Sathiyam adhuvenil bhakthai en kungumamIf truth be so, grant your grace so that
Nilaithida arul peruvaaiyaeMy vermilion, as your devotee, remains forever!
Amma durga thaayae ambikaeOh Mother Durga, Mother Ambika!
Amma durga thaayae ambikaeOh Mother Durga, Mother Ambika!
Female
Engumae niraindha sakthiThe cosmic power that fills everywhere,
Edhinilum kalandha sakthiThe supreme force mingled in everything,
Ennullam irukkum dheviyaeOh Goddess residing in my heart!
Thanjam endru vandhavarkkuTo those who come seeking refuge,
Anjael endru arul purindhuGranting grace by saying 'Fear not',
Sangadam thavirkkum kaaliyaeOh Kaali who removes distress!
Female
Engumae niraindha sakthiThe cosmic power that fills everywhere,
Edhinilum kalandha sakthiThe supreme force mingled in everything,
Ennullam irukkum dheviyaeOh Goddess residing in my heart!
Thanjam endru vandhavarkkuTo those who come seeking refuge,
Anjael endru arul purindhuGranting grace by saying 'Fear not',
Sangadam thavirkkum kaaliyaeOh Kaali who removes distress!
Female
Ellorum un pillai allavaAre not all people your children?
Idhil nalloor theeyoor baedham solvadhaDoes it make sense to differentiate between good and evil people here?
Ellorum un pillai allavaAre not all people your children?
Idhil nalloor theeyoor baedham solvadhaDoes it make sense to differentiate between good and evil people here?
Yogi nee puraadhani mogini mandhaaginiYou are an ascetic, ancient supreme goddess, enchantress, and Mandakini!
Yogi nee puraadhani mogini mandhaaginiYou are an ascetic, ancient supreme goddess, enchantress, and Mandakini!
Female
Naan tharitha maangalyamThe sacred mangalsutra that I wear,
Nee parikka vendum yenilIf you wish to pluck it away,
Naanae un paadhathil veikkindrenI myself shall place it at your feet!
Naadhan aavi pogum munnBefore my husband's soul departs,
Kabaala maalai thannil korkkaTo string onto your garland of skulls,
Naanum endhan aavi ingu serkkindrenI too surrender my life force right here!
Female
Naan tharitha maangalyamThe sacred mangalsutra that I wear,
Nee parikka vendum yenilIf you wish to pluck it away,
Naanae un paadhathil veikkindrenI myself shall place it at your feet!
Naadhan aavi pogum munnBefore my husband's soul departs,
Kabaala maalai thannil korkkaTo string onto your garland of skulls,
Naanum endhan aavi ingu serkkindrenI too surrender my life force right here!
Female
Ooruyirai indrae nee kaappayaWill you save one life today?
Illai eeruyirum serndhingu yerppaayaOr will you accept both our lives joined together here?
Ooruyirai indrae nee kaappayaWill you save one life today?
Illai eeruyirum serndhingu yerppaayaOr will you accept both our lives joined together here?
Maalini madhaangini sooli nee kabaali neeYou are Malini, Mathangini, Soolini, and Kabaali!
Maalini madhaangini sooli nee kabaali neeYou are Malini, Mathangini, Soolini, and Kabaali!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is an intense devotional plea addressed to Goddess Durga and Kaali by a devoted wife fighting for her husband's life. She appeals to the Divine Mother, who is eternally auspicious and omnipresent, begging for her husband's life to be spared so that her marital status (symbolized by the sacred kungumam/vermilion) remains intact. She highlights that all humans are the Goddess's children, questioning why distinction would be made in bestowing mercy. In a dramatic climax of supreme surrender and devotion, she offers her own life force alongside her mangalsutra at the Goddess's feet. If the Goddess demands her husband's life to add to her garland of skulls, she insists on joining him in death so that both their souls are taken together. The track captures deep emotional angst, absolute devotion, and uncompromising marital loyalty.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Assonance/Alliteration)

Engumae niraindha sakthi / Edhinilum kalandha sakthi / Ennullam irukkum dheviyae

Alliteration of the initial vowel sound 'E' across consecutive lines (Engumae, Edhinilum, Ennullam).

Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Thanjam endru vandhavarkku / Anjael endru arul purindhu / Sangadam thavirkkum kaaliyae

Rhyming of the second consonant sound 'n' / 'nj' / 'ng' across consecutive lines.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme & Rhythm)

Maalini madhaangini sooli nee kabaali nee

Internal end-rhyming epithets ending with the suffix '-ini' and the repeated pronoun 'nee'.

Imagery

Kabaala maalai thannil korkka

Vivid imagery depicting Goddess Kaali's terrifying iconography of wearing a garland of skulls.

Did you know?

Trivia

This high-pitched devotional hymn from 'Vetri Vinayagar' (1996) features music composed by the veteran music director M. S. Vishwanathan and lyrics by Kamakodiyan. Sung with dramatic intensity by Vani Jayaram, the song showcases her extraordinary vocal range in expressing intense grief, surrender, and unwavering devotion.

Keep listening

More from Vetri Vinayagar