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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Parithabam Illaiya

From Genova · 1953

Lyricist
Suratha
Singer
P. Leela
Music directors
M. S. Vishwanathan, M. S. Gnanamani, T. A. Kalyanam
Details
Genova1953

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Parithaabamillaiyaa paralogamaathaaDo you have no pity, Heavenly Mother?
Parathesiyaanom paarilaeWe have become wanderers in this world.
Muraiyaagumaa Iniyaethu seivomIs this fair? What shall we do now?
Paralogamaathaa parathesiyaanomHeavenly Mother, we have become wanderers.
Parithaabamae illaiyaaIs there no pity at all?
Female
Parithaabamillaiyaa paralogamaathaaDo you have no pity, Heavenly Mother?
Parathesiyaanom paarilaeWe have become wanderers in this world.
Muraiyaagumaa Iniyaethu seivomIs this fair? What shall we do now?
Paralogamaathaa parathesiyaanomHeavenly Mother, we have become wanderers.
Parithaabamae illaiyaaIs there no pity at all?
paralogamaathaavae…Oh Heavenly Mother...
Female
Irulae soozhalaamo vaazhvilShould darkness surround our lives?
Oliyae thaarum thaayae…yae…yae…yae…Oh Mother, give us light...
Irulae soozhalaamo vaazhvilShould darkness surround our lives?
Oliyae thaarum thaayae…Oh Mother, give us light...
Nyaana oliyae thaarum thaayaeOh Mother, grant us the light of divine wisdom.
Female
Yaen piranthom VasaikkaalaanomaeWhy were we born, only to become targets of slander?
Yaen piranthom VasaikkaalaanomaeWhy were we born, only to become targets of slander?
Mariyae manamae thaalomOh Mary, our hearts bow down in sorrow.
Muraiyaagumaa ini yaethu seivomIs this fair? What shall we do now?
Female
Paralogamaathaa parathesiyaanomHeavenly Mother, we have become wanderers.
Parithaabamae illaiyaaIs there no pity at all?
Paralogamaathaavae…Oh Heavenly Mother...
Female
Thaayae jeeva jothiyaeOh Mother, the light of life!
Jegamathil em bakkyamaeOur greatest fortune in this world!
Female
Paatha sevai paapam neengumService at your divine feet removes all sins.
Paarilengum nyaana deepamYou are the lamp of wisdom throughout the world.
Paatha sevai paapam neengumService at your divine feet removes all sins.
Paarilengum nyaana deepamYou are the lamp of wisdom throughout the world.
Bedhamillaa nin thayavaalaeBy your impartial grace,
Sedhamillai yaezhi vaazhvilThere is no ruin in the lives of the poor.
Female
Paatha sevai paapam neengumService at your divine feet removes all sins.
Paarilengum nyaana deepamYou are the lamp of wisdom throughout the world.
Paarilengum nyaana deepamYou are the lamp of wisdom throughout the world.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a soulful prayer addressed to Mother Mary (Paralogamaathaa). The singer expresses deep sorrow and helplessness, lamenting that they have become alienated wanderers in the world suffering under darkness and public slander. They plead for Mary's divine intervention, asking for pity and the light of wisdom to guide them out of misery. As the hymn progresses, it shifts from desperation to devotional praise, worshipping Mother Mary as the light of life and the divine sanctuary. The song emphasizes that serving at her feet eliminates sin and that her unconditional grace protects the poor and downtrodden from ruin.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monaai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Parithaabamillaiyaa paralogamaathaa / Parathesiyaanom paarilae

Matching initial consonant-vowel sound 'Pa' in consecutive lines.

Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyming)

Bedhamillaa nin thayavaalae / Sedhamillai yaezhi vaazhvil

Matching second letter 'dha' in rhyming couplet words Bedhamillaa and Sedhamillai.

Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

Thaayae jeeva jothiyae / Paarilengum nyaana deepam

Comparing Mother Mary directly to the light of life and a lamp of wisdom.

Anaphora (Repetition for Emphasis)

Parithaabamillaiyaa paralogamaathaa / Parathesiyaanom paarilae

Repetition of questioning phrases to emphasize anguish and plight.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Genova' (1953) was an early Christian devotional film starring M. G. Ramachandran (MGR). Originally made in Malayalam, it was dubbed and re-shot in Tamil. The soundtrack was a collaborative effort involving a young M. S. Viswanathan before he officially formed the iconic duo with T. K. Ramamoorthy.

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