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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Oora Paadala

From Mel Maruvathoor Arpudhangal · 1986

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
Malaysia Vasudevan
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Movie name
Mel Maruvathoor Arpudhangal
Movie release year
1986
Lyrics added on
10 Dec 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Ooru paadala oravu paadala
Um pera paadugiren maruvathoor aathaalae
Ponna paadala porula paadala
Naan unna paadugiren maruvathoor aathaalae
Koyil thaan un veedu
Kaapathu un paadu
Udukkai adikaiyilae
Olipadhu un peru
Maruvoor vittuvittu maadha naan vaazha
Oru oorum illaiyadi
Naan unnudaiya pillaiyadi
I am not singing of the town, nor of my kin,
I am singing your name, Mother of Maruvathoor!
I am not singing of gold, nor of wealth,
I am singing of you, Mother of Maruvathoor!
The temple is your home,
Protecting us is your duty,
When the udukkai (hourglass drum) is beaten,
The sound that echoes is your name,
Leaving Maruvoor, O Mother, for me to live,
There is no other place for me,
For I am your own child!
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This soulful devotional song expresses complete surrender and unyielding faith toward Goddess Adhiparasakthi of Melmaruvathur. The devotee renounces all worldly desires and attachments—such as homeland, human relationships, gold, and wealth—stating that their sole purpose in life is to sing the praises of the Divine Mother.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaipu (End Rhyme / Rhyming Refrain)

Ooru paadala oravu paadala / Ponna paadala porula paadala

The word 'paadala' (didn't sing) is repeated at the end of clauses to rhythmically emphasize the negation of worldly topics.

Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyming)

Ponna paadala / Naan unna paadugiren

The second consonant sound 'nna' (ன்) matches between 'Ponna' and 'unna', creating auditory harmony.

Monai (Initial Letter Alliteration)

Ooru paadala oravu paadala

The initial vowel sound 'O' is repeated in 'Ooru' and 'oravu'.

Metaphor

Naan unnudaiya pillaiyadi

The devotee frames the spiritual relationship as a direct mother-child bond, symbolizing complete dependence and unconditional love.

Did you know?

Trivia

Mel Maruvathoor Arpudhangal (1986) is a renowned devotional film depicting miracles associated with the Melmaruvathur Adhiparasakthi movement. The film features music composed by the legendary K. V. Mahadevan with lyrics penned by Vaali, who authored many popular Amman devotional songs in Tamil cinema. The song features traditional folk rhythms alongside the sound of the 'udukkai' (an hourglass-shaped drum), an instrument intrinsically tied to Goddess worship in Tamil culture.

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