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Lyrics & meaning

Pazham Neeyappa

From Thiruvilaiyadal · 1965

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
K. B. Sundarambal
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Thiruvilaiyadal1965

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
{Pazham neeyappaaYou are the fruit, O Lord!
Gyaana pazham neeyappaaYou are the fruit of divine wisdom, O Lord!
Thamizh gyaana pazham neeyappaa} (2)You are the fruit of divine Tamil wisdom, O Lord!
Female
Kannondril kanalaai vandhaaiYou came as a spark from an eye,
Netri kannondril kanalaai vandhaaiYou came as a spark from the fiery eye on Shiva's forehead,
Aaru kamalaththil uruvaai nindraaiYou took form across six lotus blossoms,
Aaru kamalaththil uruvaai nindraaiYou took form across six lotus blossoms,
Female
Karthikagai pen paal undaaiYou drank milk from the Karthigai maidens,
Thiru karthikagai pen paal undaaiYou drank milk from the holy Karthigai maidens,
Ulagannai anaipaalae thirumeni oru serthaBy the embrace of the Mother of the Universe, your six forms became one,
Thamizh gyaana pazham neeyappaaYou are the fruit of divine Tamil wisdom, O Lord!
Female
Oorundu perunduYou have a place of origin, you have a great name,
Uravundu sugamundu utraar petraarum unduYou have relations, you have joy, you have parents and kith and kin,
Oorundu perunduYou have a place of origin, you have a great name,
Uravundu sugamundu utraar petraarumunduYou have relations, you have joy, you have parents and kith and kin,
Neerunda megangal ninraadum kailaiyilIn Kailash where cloud-bearing waters dance gracefully,
Neevaazha idamum unduuYou have a home to reside in,
Neerunda megangal ninraadum kailaiyilIn Kailash where cloud-bearing waters dance gracefully,
Neevaazha idamum unduuYou have a home to reside in,
Female
Thaaiyundu manamunduYou have a mother, and she has a loving heart,
Thaaiyundu manamunduYou have a mother, and she has a loving heart,
Anbulla thanthaikkuFor your affectionate father,
Thaaladha pasam unduThere is an overwhelming, boundless love for you,
Un thaththuvan thavarendru sollavumTo tell you that your philosophical anger is a mistake,
Avvaiyin thamizhukku urimai unduThe Tamil language of Avvaiyar has every right!
Female
Aaruvadhu sinam kooruvadhu thamizhAnger must be cooled, so decrees Tamil philosophy,
Ariyaadha siruvanaa neeAre you an ignorant young boy not to know this?
Aaruvadhu sinam kooruvadhu thamizhAnger must be cooled, so decrees Tamil philosophy,
Ariyaadha siruvanaa neeAre you an ignorant young boy not to know this?
Maaruvadhu manam seruvadhu inamMinds change for the better and kin reunite,
Theriyaadha muruganaa neeAre you a Murugan who does not know this?
Maaruvadhu manam seruvadhu inamMinds change for the better and kin reunite,
Theriyaadha muruganaa neeAre you a Murugan who does not know this?
Female
Yerumayil yeruMount your peacock,
Eesanidam naaduSeek Lord Shiva,
Yerumayil yeruMount your peacock,
Eesanidam naaduSeek Lord Shiva,
Inmugam kaattavaa neeShall I show you a pleasant, welcoming face?
Female
Yetrukkolvaai koottichchelvenAccept it and I shall guide you along,
Ennudan odivaa neeCome running with me!
Ennudan odivaa nee ….Come running with me...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This iconic song from Thiruvilaiyadal (1965) features the ancient Tamil poetess Avvaiyar addressing young Lord Murugan, who has fled to Palani in intense anger after losing a divine contest to his brother Ganesha for a fruit of wisdom ('Gyaana Pazham'). Avvaiyar consoles and pacifies him by explaining that Murugan himself is the ultimate embodiment of Tamil wisdom and spiritual maturity, rendering a physical fruit redundant.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Gyaana pazham neeyappaa / Thamizh gyaana pazham neeyappaa

Addressing Lord Murugan directly as the 'Gyaana Pazham' (fruit of spiritual wisdom), contrasting physical fruit with divine essence.

Iyaibu (Rhyme / Epiphora)

Oorundu perundu / Uravundu sugamundu utraar petraarum undu

Repeated end-rhyming suffix '-undu' across multiple continuous lines to create a comforting rhythmic cadence.

Alliteration (Moonaai)

Aaruvadhu sinam kooruvadhu thamizh / Ariyaadha siruvanaa nee

Repetition of initial vowel sounds ('A') creating poetic harmony.

Allusion (Athoradhana)

Aaruvadhu sinam kooruvadhu thamizh

References the classical ethical dictum 'Aaruvadhu Sinam' from Avvaiyar's Aathichudi.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by K. V. Mahadevan and rendered by the legendary K. B. Sundarambal (who also portrayed Avvaiyar on screen), 'Pazham Neeyappa' is one of the most famous devotional songs in Tamil cinema history. The lyricist Kannadasan skillfully incorporated Avvaiyar's real literary style and quotes, such as 'Aaruvadhu Sinam' from Aathichudi, into the screenplay.

Keep listening

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