- Lyricist
- Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
- Singers
- S. C. Krishnan, Chorus
- Music director
- T. V. Raju
- Movie name
- Raja Sevai
- Movie release year
- 1959
- Lyrics added on
- 13 Oct 2025
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This song snippet is an intense, rhythmic devotional chant dedicated to Goddess Kali in her formidable manifestations as Omkara Kali, Mahakali, and Bhadrakali. The worshippers express absolute surrender and complete faith in the divine mother, appealing to her protective powers to safeguard them from distress. The repetitive refrain creates a ritualistic atmosphere typical of temple rituals and folk worship, reinforcing the bond between the devotees and the deity.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Ethugai (Second Letter Assonance)
“Ongaara kaali makaali / Unnaiyae nambinom badrakaali”
The second consonant 'n' ('ங்'/'ன்') creates assonance across adjacent lines ('Ongaara' and 'Unnaiyae').
Iyaipu (End Rhyme)
“Ongaara kaali makaali / Unnaiyae nambinom badrakaali”
The lines end with matching rhyming suffixes ('makaali' and 'badrakaali').
Anaphora / Repetition
“Naanga unnaiyae nambinom badrakaali”
The line is repeated continuously as a refrain to emphasize deep faith and absolute surrender.
Did you know?
Trivia
Raja Sevai (1959) was a period drama featuring N. T. Rama Rao and P. Bhanumathi in lead roles. The film's music was composed by T. V. Raju, with lyrics written by the acclaimed folk and screen poet Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass. Singer S. C. Krishnan was celebrated for his powerful vocal delivery in folk and devotional tracks during this era of Tamil cinema.
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