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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Odugindral

From Bhadrakali · 1976

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
Sirkazhi Govindarajan
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Bhadrakali1976

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Un per sollum pen jenmamThis female life that utters your name,
Pithendrum pei endrumCall her mad or call her a spirit,
Oor sollum kaaranathaiThe reason that the town gives,
Yaar solla koodumammaa…Who can truly explain it, oh mother?
Male
{Odugindraal urugugindraalShe runs, she melts in agony,
Edhaiyo thaedugindraalShe searches for something unknown,
Edharkko vaadugindraalShe wilts for some unknown reason,
Pithaai aadugindraal} (2)She dances in madness.
Odugindraal…She runs...
Male
{Dhatchanin magalaagaAs Daksha's daughter,
Tharaniyil pirandhaalumEven when born on this earth,
Ratchagan ninaivaagaIn memory of her savior,
Thudithaayammaa} (2)You yearned with anguish, oh mother.
Female
Thaai vazhi saei ennumThat a child follows the path of the mother,
Thathuvam mei aagaFor that philosophy to become true,
Nee ival vaazhvilum nadithaayammaaYou enacted that in her life as well, oh mother.
Pithaai aadugindraalShe dances in madness.
Male
Odugindraal urugugindraalShe runs, she melts in agony,
Edhaiyo thaedugindraalShe searches for something unknown,
Male
{Kanni endraanaalumEven though she was a young maiden,
Pillaiyai pol andruLike a child back in those days,
Than nizhal thaan kanduSeeing her own shadow,
Bayandhirundhaal} (2)She used to be afraid.
Male
Yatchini inam polaeLike the celestial Yakshini species,
Indraval idugaatilToday she, in the cremation ground,
Achamae illaamal ulavugindraalWanders around without any fear.
Pithaai aadugindraalShe dances in madness.
Male
Kattil ulaavi thottil kulaaviStrolling across the bed, playing by the cradle,
Kaadhal konjidum penmaiyaeThat is womanhood filled with loving endearment.
Male
Pattu noolilum vanna poovilumSofter than silk thread and colorful flowers,
Thottu paarkkaiyil menmaiyaeGentleness itself when touched and felt.
Male
Anbu maedaiyil inba naadagamA joyful play on the stage of love,
Aadi nirppaval thanmaiyaeIs the very nature of her who stands performing.
Panbu kettavar paarvai pattadhumBut when the gaze of vile people falls upon her,
Bathrakaali thaan unmaiyaeShe becomes none other than fierce Bhadrakali in reality.
Male
Poongaatrin gunam maari puyalaaguvaalChanging her nature from a soft breeze, she becomes a tempest,
Punalaaga nindra magal analaaguvaalThe daughter who stood like soothing water turns into roaring fire.
Mogathaip poiyaakki yogathil nirppaalRendering worldly lust false, she stands in divine trance,
Mukkannum thee choriya dhikkettum selvaalRaining fire from her three eyes, she charges in all eight directions.
Om bathrakaali om ruthrakaaliOm Bhadrakali, Om Rudrakali,
Gaayathriyaai maari om bathrakaaliTransforming into Gayatri, Om Bhadrakali,
Om bathrakaali om bathrakaali om bathrakaali…Om Bhadrakali, Om Bhadrakali, Om Bhadrakali...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from Bhadrakali (1976) depicts the tragic psychological state and divine transformation of a woman driven to distress. Initially, she is described as an innocent, soft-spoken maiden who used to be afraid of her own shadow. Trauma pushes her into a state that society labels as madness, leading her to wander fearlessly in desolate spaces like cremation grounds.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Odugindraal urugugindraal / Edhaiyo thaedugindraal / Edharkko vaadugindraal

The deliberate repetition of the verbal suffix '-gindraal' at the end of consecutive lines creates a rhythmic, incantatory beat.

Metaphor / Contrast (Muran)

Poongaatrin gunam maari puyalaaguvaal / Punalaaga nindra magal analaaguvaal

Contrasts gentle elements of nature (breeze, water) with destructive ones (tempest, fire) to symbolize the sudden, divine transformation of a peaceful woman into a fierce deity.

Ethugai (Second-letter Assonance)

Kattil ulaavi... / Pattu noolilum...

The second consonant 'tt' is repeated across lines to enhance poetic harmony.

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Trivia

The film 'Bhadrakali' (1976) features iconic music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by Vaali. This track, sung powerfully by Seerkazhi Govindarajan, serves as the dramatic turning point in the film where the heroine's innocent life collapses into madness and divine wrath.

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