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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Orumaiyudan

From Konjum Salangai · 1962

Lyricist
Ramalinga Swamigal
Singer
Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi
Music director
S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
Details
Konjum Salangai1962

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Orumaiyudan ninadhuWith single-minded devotion, your
Thiru malaradi ninaikindraholy lotus feet, meditating upon,
Uthamar than uravu vendumI seek the fellowship of those noble and virtuous souls.
Mm…mmm….mm…..[Humming]
Female
Ullondru vaithuKeeping one thing concealed in their hearts,
Puram ondru pesuvaarwhile speaking something entirely different outside—
Uravu kalavaamai vendumI must avoid any association or friendship with such deceitful people.
Perumai perum ninadhu pugalYour praise, which brings immense glory and honor,
Pesa vendumI must always speak and sing of.
Mm…mmm….mm…..[Humming]
Female
Poimai pesaadhiruthal vendumI must completely abstain from speaking falsehoods.
Peru neri pidithozhuga vendumI must strictly follow and live by the great path of righteousness.
Mm…mmm….mm…..[Humming]
Madhamaana pei pidiyaadhirukka vendumI must remain untouched by the demonic possession of arrogance and ego.
Mm…mmm….haaa….aaa….aaa…aa…[Vocalizing / Humming]
Female
Madhi vendumI need wisdom and clarity of mind,
Nin karunai nidhi vendumI need the priceless treasure of your divine grace.
Noi attra vazhvuu naamA life completely free from diseases and afflictions, we
Vaazha vendummust live peacefully.
Mm…mmm….haaa….aaa….aaa…aa…[Vocalizing / Humming]
Female
Shanmuga thooiya maniOh Shanmuga, pure and flawless divine gem!
Unmugath deiva maniOh divine gem of inner spiritual realization!
Shanmuga deiva maniOh Lord Shanmuga, divine gem!
Shanmuga deiva maniyae…ae….ae….Oh Lord Shanmuga, divine gem!
Ae…..ae…..ae……ae….aaa….aaa…aaa….aaa…aa[Vocalizing / Melisma]

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic song is a deeply revered devotional prayer originally composed by the 19th-century Tamil saint-poet Ramalinga Swamigal (Vallalar) as part of his 'Deiva Mani Maalai' in the 'Thiru Arutpa'. The hymn is a sincere plea to Lord Shanmuga (Murugan) for ethical, spiritual, and physical well-being. The seeker prays for single-minded devotion and the company of righteous individuals who sincerely contemplate the Lord's lotus feet, while fervently asking to be saved from hypocrites who harbor malice inside while speaking sweetly outside. Furthermore, the song outlines a complete spiritual and moral code: avoiding lies, walking the path of dharma, staying free from the demonic influence of pride and ego, acquiring true wisdom, and obtaining the treasure of divine grace. Ultimately, it seeks a healthy, disease-free life lived in harmony and devotion, addressing Lord Shanmuga as the purest divine gem of enlightenment.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Muran (Antithesis / Contrast)

Ullondru vaithu / Puram ondru pesuvaar

Contrasts inner thoughts ('Ullondru' - one inside) with outward speech ('Puram ondru' - another outside) to highlight two-faced hypocrisy.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Thiru malaradi ninaikindra

The Lord's sacred feet ('adi') are directly metaphorized as a divine flower ('malar').

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Madhamaana pei pidiyaadhirukka vendum

Arrogance or ego ('Madham') is metaphorically characterized as a evil spirit/demon ('pei') possessing a person.

Iyaipu (Refrain / Anaphora)

Uthamar than uravu vendum ... Uravu kalavaamai vendum ... Pesa vendum

The repetitive ending of lines with the word 'vendum' (meaning 'is desired' or 'must be') creates a rhythmic, prayerful plea throughout the poem.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Nin karunai nidhi vendum

The Lord's divine compassion and grace ('karunai') is compared to a boundless treasure ('nidhi').

Did you know?

Trivia

This song is an excerpt from Vallalar's (Ramalinga Swamigal) immortal work 'Deiva Mani Maalai', which forms part of the 'Thiru Arutpa'. In the movie 'Konjum Salangai' (1962), this divine hymn was set to music by composer S. M. Subbaiah Naidu and famously rendered by singer Sulamangalam Rajalakshmi. 'Konjum Salangai' is historically significant as one of Tamil cinema's early Technicolor films and notable for being the first Tamil film dubbed into Polish for release in Poland.

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