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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Palayathamma Nee Paasa Vilakku

From Palayathu Amman · 2000

Lyricist
Kalidasan
Singer
K. S. Chithra
Music director
S. A. Rajkumar
Details
Palayathu Amman2000

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
Ambaa saambavi chandramoliO Amba, Sambhavi, Chandramouli,
Raagalaamantharaa umaa paarvathi kaaliRagalamanthara, Uma, Parvathi, Kaali,
Kaipavathi sivaathinainthaKhaipavathi, united with Shiva,
Kaathyaayathi bairaviKatyayani, Bhairavi!
Chorus
Maavilakku poo vilakku maariyamman manivilakkuFlour lamp, flower lamp, Mariamman's gem-studded lamp,
Manvillaku pon vilakku vaazhaippoo thiruvilakkuEarthen lamp, golden lamp, banana flower holy lamp,
Nei vilakki kaivilakku karthigaiyin agalvilakkuGhee lamp, hand-held lamp, Karthigai's clay lamp,
Ezhumichampazha vilakku yaeththinomae thiruvilakkuLemon lamp—we have lit this sacred lamp!
Female
PaalaiyaththammaO Mother of Palayam,
Nee paasa vilakkuYou are the lamp of affection!
Un paarvaiyilaeIn your divine gaze,
Theriyuthadi kodi vilakkuA crore lamps shine forth!
Female
PaalaiyaththammaO Mother of Palayam,
Nee paasa vilakkuYou are the lamp of affection!
Un paarvaiyilaeIn your divine gaze,
Theriyuthadi kodi vilakkuA crore lamps shine forth!
Female
Thaayidaththil vaikka vanthaenI came to place before my mother,
Anbu vazhakkuA case filled with love.
En thaayidaththil vaikka vanthaenI came to place before my mother,
Anbu vazhakkuA case filled with love.
Adhu theeraamal udhikkaathu antha kizhakkuUntil that is settled, the eastern sun will not rise!
Chorus
PaalaiyaththammaO Mother of Palayam,
Nee paasa vilakkuYou are the lamp of affection!
Un paarvaiyilaeIn your divine gaze,
Theriyuthadi kodi vilakkuA crore lamps shine forth!
Female
Baktharukku mukthi vilakkuThe lamp of liberation for devotees,
Samapurththu sakthi vilakkuThe power lamp of Samayapuram,
Karpoora jothi vilakkuThe camphor flame lamp,
Karumaari sangu vilakkuThe conch lamp of Karumari,
Female
Paalayaththu thaai thunaiyaeO help of Palayam's Mother,
Kalangari vilakkuThe guiding lighthouse lamp,
Aalayammaa ellaiyammaTemple goddess, goddess of boundaries,
Nambikkai mana vilakkuThe lamp of faith in the heart!
Female
Maana vilakku kooda vilakkuHonor lamp, assembly lamp,
Magara vilakku paavai vilakkuMakara lamp, idol lamp,
Minnal vilakku velli vilakkuLightning lamp, silver lamp,
Minminikkul ulla vilakkuThe lamp glowing within the firefly,
Aththanai dheepangalum amma neeO Mother, you are all these lamps combined!
Female
PaalaiyaththammaO Mother of Palayam,
Nee paasa vilakkuYou are the lamp of affection!
Un paarvaiyilaeIn your divine gaze,
Theriyuthadi kodi vilakkuA crore lamps shine forth!
Chorus
Kaivilakku thiruvilakkuHand lamp, holy lamp,
Maruvaththoor sudar vilakkuThe glowing flame lamp of Melmaruvathur,
Thumbavilakku kudavilakkuThumba flower lamp, pot lamp,
Thiruvannaamalai vilakkuThe sacred light of Thiruvannamalai,
Chorus
Kuththu vilakku madurai vilakkuTraditional standing brass lamp, Madurai lamp,
Paththinigalin karpu vilakkuThe lamp of chastity of virtuous women,
Thiruvilakku saravilakkuHoly lamp, hanging chain lamp,
Seethaa mani vilakkuSita's precious gem lamp,
Anaiyaatha kulavilakkuThe eternal lamp of the lineage,
Aaththaa kai mana vilakku thaayae…Mother's auspicious hand lamp, O Mother...
Female
Meenaatchi nyaana vilakkuMeenakshi, the lamp of wisdom,
Kaamatchi karunai vilakkuKamakshi, the lamp of compassion,
Moogaampaal kudumba vilakkuMookambika, the lamp of the family,
Thaenaandaal kula vilakkuThenandal, the lamp of the clan,
Female
Kobam vanthaal kaali kannilIf anger comes, in Kaali's eyes,
Eriyum sivappu vilakkuBurns the red danger lamp!
Manam kulira senjaalIf made happy and pleased,
Selvam urukki kaattim pachchai vilakkuShe melts gold and shows the green blessing lamp!
Female
Nila vilakku nadai vilakkuStanding lamp, walkway lamp,
Thoongaa vilakku ponga vilakkuEver-burning lamp, prosperity lamp,
Nilaa vilakku thalla vilakkuMoonlight lamp, swaying lamp,
Laksmi vilakku nantha vilakkuLakshmi lamp, eternal Nandha lamp,
Aththanai dheepangalum ammaa neeO Mother, you are all these lamps combined!
Female
PaalaiyaththammaO Mother of Palayam,
Nee paasa vilakkuYou are the lamp of affection!
Un paarvaiyilaeIn your divine gaze,
Theriyuthadi kodi vilakkuA crore lamps shine forth!
Female
PaalaiyaththammaO Mother of Palayam,
Nee paasa vilakkuYou are the lamp of affection!
Un paarvaiyilaeIn your divine gaze,
Theriyuthadi kodi vilakkuA crore lamps shine forth!
Female
Thaayidaththil vaikka vanthaenI came to place before my mother,
Anbu vazhakkuA case filled with love.
En thaayidaththil vaikka vanthaenI came to place before my mother,
Anbu vazhakkuA case filled with love.
Adhu theeraamal udhikkaathu antha kizhakkuUntil that is settled, the eastern sun will not rise!
Female
PaalaiyaththammaO Mother of Palayam,
Nee paasa vilakkuYou are the lamp of affection!
Un paarvaiyilaeIn your divine gaze,
Theriyuthadi kodi vilakkuA crore lamps shine forth!
Female
Anna vilakku sorna vilakkuSwan lamp, golden lamp,
Aaththaa kairasi vilakkuMother's fortunate hand lamp,
Ullam unathu bakthi vilakkuMy heart is your devotion lamp,
Uruguthae en uyir vilakkuMy life lamp melts in devotion,
Female
Ulagaththukku oru vilakkuThe single guiding light for the world,
Om sakthi arul vilakkuOm Shakti, the lamp of grace!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This devotional song from the film 'Palayathu Amman' (2000) is a glorification of the Divine Mother (Amman) depicted through the central metaphor of 'Vilakku' (Lamp/Light). The song invokes various forms and names of Goddess Parvathi—such as Kaali, Meenakshi, Kamakshi, Mookambika, and Karumari—and enumerates numerous traditional lamps used in Hindu rituals, ranging from ghee and lemon lamps to spiritual lights like the lamp of wisdom, liberation, and love. The lyricist expresses intense devotion, stating that the Goddess herself embodies every light in the universe. Her gaze radiates the brightness of ten million lamps, bringing warmth, protection, and prosperity to her devotees, while her motherly affection remains the ultimate guiding beacon for the entire world.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvam)

Nee paasa vilakku

The entire song uses 'vilakku' (lamp) as a metaphor for divine grace, wisdom, virtue, and different manifestations of Goddess Sakthi.

Anaphora / Repetition

Maavilakku poo vilakku maariyamman manivilakku

The word 'vilakku' is repeatedly used at the end of almost every line to create a rhythmic, ritualistic chanting effect.

Emoni / Monai (Alliteration)

Minnal vilakku velli vilakku

Repetition of initial consonant sound 'M' across adjacent words (Maana vilakku, Magara vilakku, Minnal vilakku, Minminikkul).

Imagery / Symbolism

Eriyum sivappu vilakku / Selvam urukki kaattim pachchai vilakku

Symbolizes the Goddess's emotions using colored lamps—red for fierce anger and green for benevolent prosperity.

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Trivia

The soundtrack of 'Palayathu Amman' (2000), composed by S. A. Rajkumar, became immensely popular across Tamil Nadu during devotional festivals, particularly during the Tamil month of Aadi. K. S. Chithra's rendition of this lamp-themed hymn remains one of the most widely played Amman devotional tracks in temples and households.

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