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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Pakkarai Visithiramani

From Arunagirinathar · 1964

Lyricist
Arunagirinathar
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
T. R. Pappa
Details
Arunagirinathar1964

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Haa…aaa…aaa….Haa…aaa…aaa….
Pakkarai visithiramani porkalanai itta nadaiThe peacock that walks gracefully with decorative saddles, wonderful gems, and golden ornaments,
Patchi enum ukkurathuragamum neepaThe fierce steed known as the divine bird, and the worn Kadamba floral garland,
Pakkarai visithiramani porkalanai itta nadaiThe peacock that walks gracefully with decorative saddles, wonderful gems, and golden ornaments,
Patchi enum ukkurathuragamum neepaThe fierce steed known as the divine bird, and the worn Kadamba floral garland,
Pakkuva malar thodaiyum akkuvadu pattozhiyaThe garland of mature blossoms, and the sharp spear that destroys all karmic suffering,
Patturuva vittu arul kai vadivelumThe graceful sharp Vel in Your hand that pierced through the mountain,
Male
Thikku adhu madhikka varuThe rooster banner that is revered in all directions,
Kukkudamum ratchai tharumThe rooster that grants divine protection,
Sittru adiyum muttriya panniru thozhumYour small sacred feet, and Your mature twelve strong shoulders,
Thikku adhu madhikka varuThe rooster banner that is revered in all directions,
Kukkudamum ratchai tharumThe rooster that grants divine protection,
Sittru adiyum muttriya panniru thozhumYour small sacred feet, and Your mature twelve strong shoulders,
Seipadhiyum vaithu uyar thirupugazh viruppamoduEnshrine all these in my heart and grant me the intense desire to sing Thiruppugazh,
Seppena enakku arul sei maravenaeGrace me to recite them clearly so that I never forget You!
Male
Ikku avarai narkanigalSugarcane, lablab beans, good delicious fruits,
Sarkkarai paruppudan neiJaggery sugar, lentils cooked with pure ghee,
Ell pori aval thuvarai ilaneerSesame seeds, puffed rice, flattened rice, pigeon peas, and tender coconut water,
Ikku avarai narkanigalSugarcane, lablab beans, good delicious fruits,
Sarkkarai paruppudan neiJaggery sugar, lentils cooked with pure ghee,
Ell pori aval thuvarai ilaneerSesame seeds, puffed rice, flattened rice, pigeon peas, and tender coconut water,
Vandu echil payiru appa vagai pacharisipittuBee-tasted green gram, sweet appam varieties, raw rice flour snack (pittu),
Vellaripazham idipalvagai thani moolamCucumber fruit, various pounded grain delicacies, and unique edible roots,
Male
Mikka adisil kadalaiAbundant cooked rice, chickpeas,
Patchanam enakkol oruConsuming all these delicious offerings as food,
Vikkinasamarththan enum arul aazhiHe who is the ocean of grace, capable of removing all obstacles (Lord Ganesha),
Mikka adisil kadalaiAbundant cooked rice, chickpeas,
Patchanam enakkol oruConsuming all these delicious offerings as food,
Vikkinasamarththan enum arul aazhiHe who is the ocean of grace, capable of removing all obstacles (Lord Ganesha),
Verppa kudila sadila vil paramar appar arulThe noble one born of Lord Shiva—who has mountain-like matted locks and holds the bow,
Vithaga maruppu udaiya perumaalaeO Great Lord Murugan, who is the younger brother of the wise single-tusked Lord Ganesha!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic Thiruppugazh hymn composed by Saint Arunagirinathar is a deeply devotional prayer addressed to Lord Murugan. The poet praises Lord Murugan's majestic peacock mount, the radiant divine spear (Vel), the rooster banner, His tender lotus feet, and His twelve mighty shoulders. He prays to the Lord to grant him the supreme grace and unwavering devotion to constantly sing the praises of Thiruppugazh without ever forgetting Him. In the second half, Arunagirinathar vividly catalogs a vast and delicious feast offered to Lord Ganesha (the remover of obstacles), including sugarcane, fruits, ghee, rice flour snacks, and honey. He concludes by addressing Lord Murugan as the divine younger brother of the wise, single-tusked Lord Ganesha and the son of Lord Shiva, seeking His eternal blessings.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Santham (Rhythmic Meter)

Pakkarai visithiramani porkalanai itta nadai

The verse follows a strict Thiruppugazh rhythmic sandham pattern (Thana Thana Thana Thana), creating a fast-paced, highly musical beat ideal for devotional chanting.

Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Pakkarai visithiramani porkalanai itta nadai

The second consonant 'k' ('kka') is repeated across multiple lines (Pakkarai, Patchi, Pakkuva, Patturuva), providing internal phonetic harmony.

Enumeration / Imagery

Ikku avarai narkanigal Sarkkarai paruppudan nei Ell pori aval thuvarai ilaneer

An elaborate cataloging of over 15 distinct traditional food items and offerings given to Lord Ganesha, creating vivid sensory imagery.

Anaphora (Repetition)

Thikku adhu madhikka varu Kukkudamum ratchai tharum

Refrain and repeated line renditions in classical musical delivery emphasize the greatness of the rooster banner and Lord Ganesha's grace.

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Trivia

This hymn is one of Saint Arunagirinathar's most celebrated Thiruppugazh compositions. It is famous in Tamil literature for uniquely listing over 20 culinary delicacies offered to Lord Ganesha in a single stanza. In the 1964 biographical film 'Arunagirinathar', this song was brilliantly rendered by T. M. Soundararajan under the music direction of T. R. Pappa, becoming an iconic devotional track across Tamil Nadu.

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