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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Om Nadam Omkara Nadam

From Miruthanga Chakravarthi · 1983

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Miruthanga Chakravarthi1983

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
Om om ommm…(8)Om, Om, Om... (8)
Male
Naadham… omkaara naadham…Sound... the divine sound of Om...
Male
Naadha mayamaana iraivaa iraivaa…Oh God who embodies sacred sound, Oh God...
Naadha mayamaana iraivaaOh God who embodies sacred sound,
Thillai nadanamaadugindra thalaivaaOh Lord who performs the cosmic dance in Thillai,
Vaedha mayamaana sivanaeOh Lord Shiva who embodies the Vedas,
Indha viralgal irundhenna payanaeWhat is the use of having these fingers?
Vaedha mayamaana sivanaeOh Lord Shiva who embodies the Vedas,
Indha viralgal irundhenna payanaeWhat is the use of having these fingers?
Male
Naadha mayamaana iraivaa iraivaa…Oh God who embodies sacred sound, Oh God...
Male
Maalai soodiyaval maunathil irukkaWhile she who wore the garland remains in silence,
Pillai pechil manam punnaagi thavikkaThe heart suffers, wounded by the child's words,
Maalai soodiyaval maunathil irukkaWhile she who wore the garland remains in silence,
Pillai pechil manam punnaagi thavikkaThe heart suffers, wounded by the child's words,
Mirudhangam pol ingu naanumLike a mridangam drum here, why should I
Yaen iru pakkam adi vaanga vendumbe beaten on both sides?
Mirudhangam pol ingu naanumLike a mridangam drum here, why should I
Yaen iru pakkam adi vaanga vendumbe beaten on both sides?
Thandhai aanai meeri nindra maganaeOh son who defied his father's command,
Thandha kaayam aaravillai aranaeOh Lord Hara, the wound inflicted has not healed!
Male
Naadha mayamaana iraivaa iraivaa…Oh God who embodies sacred sound, Oh God...
Male
Gangai nadhiyudanae thingalCarrying the Ganges river and the crescent moon
Mudi sumandhu mangai oru paadh maevaUpon your crown, while the Goddess occupies half your body,
Indha andam kulungi ezha endrumCausing this universe to tremble and rise always,
Azhagolirum angam thanil paadham thaavaAs your foot leaps gracefully from your radiant body,
Nee udukkai thanai kondu osai ezhuppugaiyilWhen you play the udukkai drum and summon the sound,
Thadukka vidhi yaedhum undaaIs there any fate that can stop it?
Male
Nee udukkai thanai kondu osai ezhuppugaiyilWhen you play the udukkai drum and summon the sound,
Thadukka vidhi yaedhum undaaIs there any fate that can stop it?
Ingu unakkoru vidhiyo enakkoru vidhiyoIs there one fate for you here, and another for me?
Pirithu paarppadhenna muraiyoIs it fair to look at us separately?
Idhu muraiyooo… idhu muraiyoo…Is this fair?... Is this fair?...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from 'Miruthanga Chakravarthi' is a heartfelt prayer and lamentation sung by an expert mridangam artist to Lord Shiva, the master of cosmic sound and dance. Caught in a severe domestic conflict where his wife maintains an agonizing silence and his son rebels against his command with harsh words, the protagonist feels emotionally shattered. He metaphorically compares his plight to that of a mridangam drum—getting struck from both sides simultaneously. In deep anguish, he questions Lord Shiva about the purpose of his musical hands if he cannot mend his family. He draws parallels between Shiva playing his udukkai drum to govern cosmic fate and his own life struggle, asking why destiny treats him with such cruelty and whether this injustice is truly fair.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Uvamai Ani)

Mirudhangam pol ingu naanum / Yaen iru pakkam adi vaanga vendum

The speaker explicitly compares his emotional plight to a mridangam drum ('Mirudhangam pol'), which receives blows on both ends, symbolizing how he is caught between his silent wife and rebellious son.

Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Naadha mayamaana iraivaa / Vaedha mayamaana sivanae

The second letter 'dha' (தா / த) matches across lines ('Naadha' and 'Vaedha'), creating a pleasing rhythmic harmony.

Monai (First-letter Alliteration)

Maalai soodiyaval maunathil irukka

The starting sound 'M' repeats in 'Maalai' and 'Maunathil' within the same line.

Rhetorical Question

Indha viralgal irundhenna payanae

The singer asks what the use of having his skilled hands and fingers is, emphasizing his despair rather than seeking a literal answer.

Did you know?

Trivia

In the film 'Miruthanga Chakravarthi' (1983), starring Sivaji Ganesan as a master mridangam exponent, this iconic song composed by M. S. Viswanathan and written by Poet Vaali serves as a pivotal emotional climax. Sung powerfully by T. M. Soundararajan, the song cleverly uses the central element of the film—the mridangam—as a poetic metaphor for domestic turmoil.

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