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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Pathu Malai

From Varuvan Vadivelan · 1978

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
Sirkazhi Govindarajan, P. Susheela, M. S. Vishwanathan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Varuvan Vadivelan1978

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Pathu malai thiru muthu kumaranaiWe shall rejoice watching the sacred Muthu Kumaran of Batu Caves...
Paarthu kalithiruppom….We will remain joyful seeing Him....
Avan sathiya kovilil kaavadi thookkiyaeCarrying the Kavadi in His temple of truth
Thannai marandhiruppom….We will lose ourselves in bliss....
Thannai marandhiruppomWe will lose ourselves in bliss
Male
Pathu malai thiru muthu kumaranaiWe shall rejoice watching the sacred Muthu Kumaran of Batu Caves...
Paarthu kalithiruppom….We will remain joyful seeing Him....
Chorus
Om om omOm om om
Male
Avan sathiya kovilil kaavadi thookkiyaeCarrying the Kavadi in His temple of truth
Thannai marandhiruppom….We will lose ourselves in bliss....
Chorus
Om om omOm om om
Male
Pathu malai thiru muthu kumaranaiWe shall rejoice watching the sacred Muthu Kumaran of Batu Caves...
Paarthu kalithiruppom….We will remain joyful seeing Him....
Chorus
Om om omOm om om
Male
Avan sathiya kovilil kaavadi thookkiyaeCarrying the Kavadi in His temple of truth
Thannai marandhiruppom….We will lose ourselves in bliss....
Chorus
Om om omOm om om
Male
Indhu kadalil malaysiya naattilIn the land of Malaysia by the Indian Ocean
Sendhamizh paadi nirpomWe shall stand singing pure Tamil
Chorus
Om om omOm om om
Male
Ingu sandhanam kungumam konduHere bringing sandalwood and kumkum
Kuvithoru thanga radham izhuppomWe shall pull the heaped golden chariot
Chorus
Om om omOm om om
Male
Indhu kadalil malaysiya naattilIn the land of Malaysia by the Indian Ocean
Sendhamizh paadi nirpomWe shall stand singing pure Tamil
Ingu sandhanam kungumam konduIngu bringing sandalwood and kumkum
Kuvithoru thanga radham izhuppomWe shall pull the heaped golden chariot
Chorus
Vael vael vael vael vael vael vael vaelVel vel vel vel vel vel vel vel
Vael vael vael vael vael vaelVel vel vel vel vel vel
Male
Saevar kodiyudai kaavalan boomiyilThe guardian on earth with the rooster flag
Sindhai kavarndhavandiIs the one who captivated our minds
A a aa….a a aa aa aa….a aa….A a aa....a a aa aa aa....a aa....
Saevar kodiyudai kaavalan boomiyilThe guardian on earth with the rooster flag
Sindhai kavarndhavandiIs the one who captivated our minds
Uyar seenatthu nanbargal vael kuthi aadidumHe granted the spiritual bliss where Chinese friends dance piercing the spear
Yogathai thandhavandiHe granted us that spiritual union
Chorus
Vael vael vael vael vael vaelVel vel vel vel vel vel
Vael vael vael vael vael vaelVel vel vel vel vel vel
Male
Thennai kanindhoru thaengaaiThe coconut tree ripened and gave coconuts
Koduthadhu senthil muruganukkaeOffered to Murugan of Tiruchendur
Thennai kanindhoru thaengaaiThe coconut tree ripened and gave coconuts
Koduthadhu senthil muruganukkaeOffered to Murugan of Tiruchendur
Adhil innum oru latcham pottudaithaarThey broke another hundred thousand of them
Andha inba thalaivanukkaeFor that lord of joyful bliss
Chorus
Vael vael vael vael vael vaelVel vel vel vel vel vel
Female
Vaazha vandha idathil koodaEven in the place where we came to live
Marakkavillai murugaaWe did not forget you, Oh Muruga
Nalla vadivaelan thunai illaamalWithout the help of good Vadivelan
Sirakkavillai murugaaWe could not flourish, Oh Muruga
Chorus
Arogaraa arogaraaArogaraa arogaraa
Female
Vaazha vandha idathil koodaEven in the place where we came to live
Marakkavillai murugaaWe did not forget you, Oh Muruga
Nalla vadivaelan thunai illaamalWithout the help of good Vadivelan
Sirakkavillai murugaaWe could not flourish, Oh Muruga
Aazhamaana bakthi kondomWe developed deep devotion
Aiyanae yem murugaaOh Lord, our Muruga
Aazhamaana bakthi kondomWe developed deep devotion
Aiyanae yem murugaaOh Lord, our Muruga
Nee alli podum arulukkaagaFor the grace that you bestow generously
Aadugindrom murugaaWe dance in ecstasy, Oh Muruga
Kaiyalavu vaelai koodaPiercing even hand-sized spears
Kannathilae sorugiThrough our cheeks
Indha kandhan perai manadhil enniThinking of this Lord Murugan's name in our heart
Kasindhu kanneer perugiMelting in devotion as tears flow
Male
Murugaa….murugaa….murugaa….murugaa….Murugaa....murugaa....murugaa....murugaa....
Female
Kaiyalavu vaelai koodaPiercing even hand-sized spears
Kannathilae sorugiThrough our cheeks
Indha kandhan perai manadhil enniThinking of this Lord Murugan's name in our heart
Kasindhu kanneer perugiMelting in devotion as tears flow
Male
Aiyan veettu vaasalilaeAt the entrance of the Lord's divine home
Aadi paadi urugi….murugaaDancing, singing, and melting... Oh Muruga
Aiyan veettu vaasalilaeAt the entrance of the Lord's divine home
Aadi paadi urugiDancing, singing, and melting
Naangal aindhu latcham perukku maelMore than five hundred thousand of us
Andi vandhom marugiCame seeking refuge with overflowing emotions
Female
Kanni thamizhagam thannil nadandhidumThe Kaarthigai Deepam festival that takes place
Kaarthigai dheebamum unduIn the virgin Tamil country is celebrated here too
Adhai kaanbadharkkae kangal renduTwo eyes are barely enough to witness that
Adhai kaanbadharkkae kangal renduTwo eyes are barely enough to witness that
Indru vanna thaip poosam nadathugiromaiyaaToday we celebrate the colorful Thaipusam, Oh Lord
Vaanathil un oli kanduSeeing your light shining in the sky
Siva gnaanathai nenjinil konduCarrying the divine knowledge of Shiva in our hearts
Female
Kanni thamizhagam thannil nadandhidumThe Kaarthigai Deepam festival that takes place
Kaarthigai dheebamum unduIn the virgin Tamil country is celebrated here too
Adhai kaanbadharkkae kangal renduTwo eyes are barely enough to witness that
Adhai kaanbadharkkae kangal renduTwo eyes are barely enough to witness that
Male
Ponnaai thudhippadhu muruganadiIt is Murugan's feet that praise like gold
Malai pugazhaai thudhippadhu muruganadiIt is Murugan's feet that revere mountain-like fame
Ponnaai thudhippadhu muruganadiIt is Murugan's feet that praise like gold
Malai pugazhaai thudhippadhu muruganadiIt is Murugan's feet that revere mountain-like fame
Female
Kannai koduppadhu muruganadiIt is Murugan's feet that grant vision to eyes
Dhinam karunai pozhivadhu muruganadiIt is Murugan's feet that shower grace daily
Kannai koduppadhu muruganadiIt is Murugan's feet that grant vision to eyes
Dhinam karunai pozhivadhu muruganadiIt is Murugan's feet that shower grace daily
Male
Dhendaayudhamae kaavaladiLord Dandayudhapani is our protector
Idhu saenaabathiyin koyiladiThis is the temple of the divine commander
Vandaar kuzhali valliyillaiValli with flower-adorned hair is not here
Aval vaazhumidam thamizh dhaesamadiHer abode is the Tamil land
Chorus
Dhendaayudhamae kaavaladiLord Dandayudhapani is our protector
Idhu saenaabathiyin koyiladiThis is the temple of the divine commander
Male
Pathini iruvarai vittu vittuLeaving his two consorts behind
Avan paaimara kappalil vandhu vittaanHe arrived on a sailing ship
Pathini iruvarai vittu vittuLeaving his two consorts behind
Avan paaimara kappalil vandhu vittaanHe arrived on a sailing ship
Pathu malai kudi kondu vittaanHe took abode at Batu Caves
Engal parambarai kaathida nindru vittaanHe stood up to protect our entire lineage
Male
Aanandha dharisanam kaanugindromWe witness this blissful divine vision
Avan azhagiya thaerinai vanangugindromWe bow before His beautiful grand chariot
Gnaanathu dhaesigan maarbinilaeUpon the chest of the master of divine knowledge
Uyar navamani maalaigal soottugindromWe adorn grand necklaces of nine precious gems
Navamani maalaigal soottugindromWe adorn necklaces of nine precious gems
Chorus
Murugaa murugaa murugaa murugaaMurugaa murugaa murugaa murugaa
Murugaa murugaa murugaaMurugaa murugaa murugaa
Murugaa murugaa murugaa murugaaMurugaa murugaa murugaa murugaa
Murugaa murugaa murugaaMurugaa murugaa murugaa
Murugaa murugaa murugaa murugaaMurugaa murugaa murugaa murugaa
Murugaa murugaa murugaaMurugaa murugaa murugaa
Female
Kodikkanakkil panam koduthaanHe gave money in millions
Avan koyilukkendrae selavazhithomWhich we spent dedicatedly for His temple
Kodikkanakkil panam koduthaanHe gave money in millions
Avan koyilukkendrae selavazhithomWhich we spent dedicatedly for His temple
Female
Vaadiya payirai thazhaikka vaithaanHe made withered crops blossom again
Engal vamsathai avan vaazha vaithaanHe enabled our lineage to thrive
Vaadiya payirai thazhaikka vaithaanHe made withered crops blossom again
Engal vamsathai avan vaazha vaithaanHe enabled our lineage to thrive
Female
ArogaraaArogaraa
Chorus
ArogaraaArogaraa
Female
ArogaraaArogaraa
Chorus
ArogaraaArogaraa
Female
Nilam theriyaamal thalaigalammaaHeads filling the space so ground cannot be seen, oh mother
Vegu neelam nadappadhai paarumammaaLook at the immense long procession walking, oh mother
Nilam theriyaamal thalaigalammaaHeads filling the space so ground cannot be seen, oh mother
Vegu neelam nadappadhai paarumammaaLook at the immense long procession walking, oh mother
Female
Valam theriyaamal varavillaiyaeWe did not come without knowing prosperity
Engal bakthiyin ullatthai tharavillaiyaeWe came to offer our heart of devotion
Valam theriyaamal varavillaiyaeWe did not come without knowing prosperity
Engal bakthiyin ullatthai tharavillaiyaeWe came to offer our heart of devotion
Female
Kodikkanakkil panam koduthaanHe gave money in millions
Avan koyilukkendrae selavazhithomWhich we spent dedicatedly for His temple
Female
{Arogaraa{Arogaraa
Chorus
ArogaraaArogaraa
Female
ArogaraaArogaraa
Chorus
Arogaraa} (2)Arogaraa} (2)
Female
Murugaa shanmugaa kandhaa kadambaaOh Muruga, Shanmuga, Kandha, Kadamba
Aarumuga vaelaaLord with six faces wielding the spear
Male
Kaarthigaeyaa sendhil naadhaaOh Kaarthikeya, Lord of Senthil
Singaara vaelaaBeautiful spear-wielder
Female
Murugaa shanmugaa kandhaa kadambaaOh Muruga, Shanmuga, Kandha, Kadamba
Aarumuga vaelaaLord with six faces wielding the spear
Male
Kaarthigaeyaa sendhil naadhaaOh Kaarthikeya, Lord of Senthil
Singaara vaelaaBeautiful spear-wielder
Female
Kaarthigaeyaa sendhil naadhaaOh Kaarthikeya, Lord of Senthil
Singaara vaelaaBeautiful spear-wielder
Chorus
Kaarthigaeyaa sendhil naadhaaOh Kaarthikeya, Lord of Senthil
Singaara vaelaaBeautiful spear-wielder
Male
Thirumuthu kumaraa umai baalaaOh divine Muthu Kumara, son of Goddess Uma
Valliyammai naayagaaLord of Valli
Female
Dheivaanai kaavalaaProtector of Deivanai
Male
Vandharulvaai vadivaelaaCome and bestow your grace, beautiful Vadivelan
Male
VadivaelaaVadivelan
Chorus
Vadivaelaa vadivaelaaVadivelan vadivelan
Female
ArogaraaArogaraa
Chorus
Vadivaelaa vadivaelaaVadivelan vadivelan
Female
ArogaraaArogaraa
Chorus
Vadivaelaa vadivaelaaVadivelan vadivelan
Female
ArogaraaArogaraa
Chorus
Vadivaelaa vadivaelaaVadivelan vadivelan
Female
ArogaraaArogaraa
Chorus
Vadivaelaa vadivaelaa vadivaelaaVadivelan vadivelan vadivelan

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This grand devotional song from the 1978 movie Varuvan Vadivelan, penned by Kannadasan, celebrates Lord Murugan's presence at Batu Caves (Pathu Malai) in Malaysia and captures the profound spiritual fervour of the Tamil diaspora during the Thaipusam festival. The lyrics highlight how Tamil immigrants, despite moving away from their motherland, carried their rich heritage and devotion to Lord Murugan across the Indian Ocean. It paints a vivid picture of the festival with millions of devotees carrying Kavadi, pulling the golden chariot, breaking thousands of coconuts, and piercing their cheeks with small spears (Vel) in ecstatic devotion.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)

Pathu malai thiru muthu kumaranai / Avan sathiya kovilil kaavadi thookkiyae

Matching second consonants across lines creating rhythmic flow, such as 'Pathu' and 'Sathiya' or 'Indhu' and 'Sandhanam'.

Monaai (Alliteration / First letter matching)

Kannai koduppadhu muruganadi / Dhinam karunai pozhivadhu muruganadi

Repetition of initial letters in key words, such as 'Kannai' and 'Karunai'.

Anaphora (Repetition of chant)

Vael vael vael vael vael vael vael vael

Repeated chant of 'Arogaraa' and 'Vael vael' to simulate the real-life auditory experience of a Thaipusam procession.

Did you know?

Trivia

This song uniquely documents the cultural connection between Tamil Nadu and Malaysia, specifically highlighting how local non-Tamil ethnic groups ('Uyar seenatthu nanbargal' - Chinese friends) also participate in the Thaipusam rituals at Batu Caves, showcasing the global universal appeal of Murugan worship.

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