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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ongara Kaali Magali

From Raja Sevai · 1959

Lyricist
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
Singers
S. C. Krishnan, Chorus
Music director
T. V. Raju
Details
Raja Sevai1959

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Ongaara kaali makaaliOh ferocious Kali, Mahakali!
Unnaiyae nambinom badrakaaliWe placed our trust only in you, Bhadrakali!
Naanga unnaiyae nambinom badrakaaliWe placed our complete trust in you, Bhadrakali!
Chorus :Thaayae ongaara kaali makaaliChorus: Oh Mother, ferocious Kali, Mahakali!
Unnaiyae nambinom badrakaaliWe placed our trust only in you, Bhadrakali!
Naanga unnaiyae nambinom badrakaaliWe placed our complete trust in you, Bhadrakali!
Chorus
Ongaara kaali makaaliOh ferocious Kali, Mahakali!
Unnaiyae nambinom badrakaaliWe placed our trust only in you, Bhadrakali!
Naanga unnaiyae nambinom badrakaaliWe placed our complete trust in you, Bhadrakali!
Chorus
Ongaara kaali makaaliOh ferocious Kali, Mahakali!
Unnaiyae nambinom badrakaaliWe placed our trust only in you, Bhadrakali!
Naanga unnaiyae nambinom badrakaali thaayeWe placed our complete trust in you, Bhadrakali, oh Mother!
Ongaara kaali makaaliOh ferocious Kali, Mahakali!
Unnaiyae nambinom badrakaaliWe placed our trust only in you, Bhadrakali!
Naanga unnaiyae nambinom badrakaaliWe placed our complete trust in you, Bhadrakali!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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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