- Lyricist
- Thondaradippodi Alvar
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Movie name
- Thirumal Perumai
- Movie release year
- 1968
- Lyrics added on
- 25 Oct 2019
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This divine hymn consists of classic Pasurams composed by Thondaradippodi Alvar from the Tirumaalai section of the Nalayira Divya Prabandham, featured in the movie Thirumal Perumai (1968). The devotee sings in deep ecstasy, describing Lord Ranganatha's exquisite form—his emerald-green body, coral lips, and lotus-red eyes. The saint declares that the joy of singing the Lord's names and contemplating His beauty is far greater than ruling over Indraloka (heaven); even if offered heaven itself, he would reject it to remain devoted to Lord Ranganatha of Srirangam. The second movement turns to complete spiritual surrender (Saranagati). The Alvar expresses utmost humility, acknowledging that he possesses no worldly assets, land, or earthly relations. Surrendering all attachments, he proclaims that Lord Krishna's lotus feet are his sole sanctuary, calling out passionately to the dark-complexioned Lord as his ultimate protector and divine mother.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile (Uvamai Ani)
“Pachai maamalai pol maeni”
Compares the Lord's vibrant green physique to a majestic green mountain using the explicit comparison word 'pol'.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Pavala vaai kamala chengan”
Directly equates the Lord's lips to bright red coral ('Pavala vaai') and eyes to red lotus blossoms ('kamala chengan').
Edhukai (Second letter rhyme)
“Ichuvai thavira yaan poi / Achuvai perinum vendaen”
Rhyming of the second letter 'ch' across lines ('Pachai', 'Ichuvai', 'Achuvai') creating a melodic rhythmic flow.
Visual Imagery
“Kaaroli vannanae”
Invokes the vivid visual image of water-laden, dark rain clouds ('Kaaroli') to depict Krishna's dark complexion.
Did you know?
Trivia
These verses are taken directly from the 'Tirumaalai' written by Thondaradippodi Alvar, one of the 12 Vaishnavite Alvar saints. In the 1968 devotional movie 'Thirumal Perumai' starring Sivaji Ganesan, this song was set to music by legendary composer K. V. Mahadevan and rendered in the soulful voice of T. M. Soundararajan.
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