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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Oh Madha Vantharul

From Kanavaney Kankanda Deivam · 1955

Lyricist
K. V. Srinivasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music directors
A. Rama Rao, Hemant Kumar
Details
Kanavaney Kankanda Deivam1955

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Oooo maathaa maathaaOh Mother, Mother
Haa vandharul viraindhu nee thaaAh, come quickly and bestow your grace, oh Mother
Jagan maathaa maathaa maathaaMother of the Universe, Mother, Mother
Haa vandharul viraindhu nee thaaAh, come quickly and bestow your grace, oh Mother
Jagan maathaaMother of the Universe
Female
Eena janangalaiThe suffering and lowly people
Kaappaval endrunaiBelieving that you are their savior
Muzhu manadhudanaeWith all my heart
Dhinam nambinenaeI trusted you every day
Female
Eena janangalaiThe suffering and lowly people
Kaappaval endrunaiBelieving that you are their savior
Muzhu manadhudanaeWith all my heart
Dhinam nambinenaeI trusted you every day
Female
Panindhadhum bajithadhumBowing down to you and chanting your praises
Payanillaadhaamo…Will it all go in vain...
Ooo… aa… aaa…aaa…aaa…aa…aaa…aa…aa…aa…Ooo... ah... aaa...
Unnai panindhadhum bajithadhumBowing down to you and chanting your praises
PayanillaadhaamoWill it all go in vain
Irangi maangalya pichai arulShow mercy and grant me the life of my husband
Female
Oooo maathaa maathaaOh Mother, Mother
Haa vandharul viraindhu nee thaaAh, come quickly and bestow your grace, oh Mother
Jagan maathaaMother of the Universe
Female
Naayagan uyirudanMy husband's life
Poridum peridilIs in a great battle
Paal manam maaraaNot having lost the innocent scent of milk
Pachilam kuzhandhaiA tender, infant child
Saahasam seiyavae vidhi vilaiyaattoIs this fate's game to make them perform such daring feats?
Paedhai en manamMy innocent, helpless heart
Anal mezhugaagudhaeIs melting like wax over fire
Female
Oooo maathaa maathaaOh Mother, Mother
Haa vandharul viraindhu nee thaaAh, come quickly and bestow your grace, oh Mother
Jagan maathaaMother of the Universe
Female
Dhevi dharumamidho…Oh Goddess, is this righteousness?
Dhevi dhayavillaiyo…Oh Goddess, is there no mercy?
Karunai kan paaraaiyo…Won't you cast your merciful eyes upon me?
Abaya karam thaaraayo…Won't you extend your protective hand?
Unnaiyallaal veru gadhi yedhammaa…Apart from you, what other refuge do I have, oh Mother...
Aaa…aa…aaa….aaa…aaa…aaa….aa….Aaa... aa... aaa...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a powerful, emotionally charged prayer of a distressed wife pleading with the Divine Mother (Jagan Maathaa) to save her husband's life. Facing a dire situation where her husband is fighting a high-stakes battle, she appeals to the Goddess as her ultimate refuge. She questions whether her lifetime of daily devotion and absolute faith will go in vain, begging for 'Maangalya Pichai'—the divine alms of her husband's longevity and safety. The lyricist beautifully captures her vulnerability, drawing a contrast between her innocent child and the harsh, fiery crucible of fate. Her heart is described as melting like wax near a flame as she demands justice, mercy, and protection from the Goddess, expressing that she has no one else in the world to turn to.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Upamai Ani (Simile)

Anal mezhugaagudhae

The heroine's grieving and anxious heart is compared directly to wax melting near fire ('anal mezhugu'), vividly conveying extreme distress and helplessness.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Dhevi dharumamidho… / Dhevi dhayavillaiyo… / Karunai kan paaraaiyo… / Abaya karam thaaraayo…

The consecutive lines end with rhyming phonetic suffixes ('-idho', '-yo', '-yo', '-yo'), creating a rhythmic, chanting-like quality that heightens the emotional desperation of the prayer.

Monai (Alliteration)

Panindhadhum bajithadhum / Payanillaadhaamo

The initial sounds of 'Panindhadhum' and 'Payanillaadhaamo' ('Pa') across the consecutive lines align to establish a smooth, alliterative flow.

Did you know?

Trivia

While the movie 'Kanavaney Kankanda Deivam' (1955) was a massive fantasy hit starring Gemini Ganesan and Anjali Devi, the music for this landmark film was actually composed by the legendary P. Adinarayana Rao. This particular emotional song was sung by the nightingale of South Indian cinema, P. Susheela, in the very early days of her career, helping establish her reputation for delivering soulful, classical, and emotionally demanding devotional numbers.

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