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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Rama Rama Saranam

From Kadan Vangi Kalyanam · 1958

Lyricist
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
Singer
P. Leela
Music director
S. Rajeswara Rao
Details
Kadan Vangi Kalyanam1958

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Raamaraama saranam pattabhiraama saranamRama Rama, my refuge! Pattabhirama, my refuge!
Raamaraama saranamRama Rama, my refuge!
Female
Thaadagaiyai vadhaithuSlaying the demoness Tataka,
Thava munivan velvi kaathuProtecting the holy ritual of the penance-bound sage,
Thaadagaiyai vadhaithuSlaying the demoness Tataka,
Thava munivan velvi kaathuProtecting the holy ritual of the penance-bound sage,
Silaikku praanan thandhuGiving life to the stone figure,
Karchilaikku praanan thandhuGiving life to the stone statue,
Thuyar theerthu vaithu arul purindhaDispelling sorrow and bestowing divine grace,
Female
Raamaraama saranam pattabhiraama saranamRama Rama, my refuge! Pattabhirama, my refuge!
Raamaraama saranamRama Rama, my refuge!
Female
Sivadhanusai valaithuBending the mighty bow of Lord Shiva,
Sree jaanakiyai manandhuMarrying Goddess Janaki,
Sivadhanusai valaithuBending the mighty bow of Lord Shiva,
Sree jaanakiyai manandhuMarrying Goddess Janaki,
Thandhai vaakiyamaendhiHonoring the righteous word of his father,
Uyar thandhai vaakiyamaendhiHonoring the exalted word of his father,
Thava kolaththodu vanamadainthaEntering the forest in ascetic attire,
Female
Raamaraama saranam pattabhiraama saranamRama Rama, my refuge! Pattabhirama, my refuge!
Raamaraama saranamRama Rama, my refuge!
Female
Ilangai vendhen maazhaVanquishing the King of Lanka,
Jegamengum naamum soozhaSpreading his divine name throughout the world,
Ilangai vendhen maazhaVanquishing the King of Lanka,
Jegamengum naamum soozhaSpreading his divine name throughout the world,
Mangai seethaiyoduAlong with the noble lady Sita,
Thiru mangai seethaiyoduAlong with the auspicious lady Sita,
Maanagar ayoodhi aandu vandhaRuling over the great city of Ayodhya,
Female
Raamaraama saranam pattabhiraama saranamRama Rama, my refuge! Pattabhirama, my refuge!
Raamaraama saranamRama Rama, my refuge!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This devotional song from Kadan Vangi Kalyanam (1958) serves as a concise yet powerful musical retelling of the epic Ramayana. It opens with expressions of complete surrender to Lord Rama, honoring his heroic beginnings such as defeating the demoness Tataka, guarding Sage Viswamitra's sacrifice, and liberating Ahalya from her stone curse. The song then narrates his marriage to Sita after breaking Shiva's bow, his selfless exile to the forest to fulfill King Dasharatha's promise, his triumph over Ravana in Lanka, and his eventual crowning as King of Ayodhya alongside Sita.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Refrain (Pallavi repetition)

Raamaraama saranam pattabhiraama saranam

The line 'Raamaraama saranam pattabhiraama saranam' serves as a rhythmic and emotional anchor, repeatedly reminding the listener of divine surrender.

Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Thaadagaiyai vadhaithu / Sivadhanusai valaithu

The second consonant sound 'dha' creates poetic harmony between 'Thaadagaiyai' and 'Sivadhanusai' in stanza openings.

Monaai (Initial Alliteration)

Thaadagaiyai vadhaithu Thava munivan velvi kaathu

Repetition of the initial 'Th' sound across words creates melodic cadence.

Allusion (Mythological)

Karchilaikku praanan thandhu

Direct references to epic Ramayana milestones such as 'Karchilaikku praanan thandhu' (liberation of Ahalya) and 'Sivadhanusai valaithu' (breaking Shiva's bow).

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Trivia

Composed by S. Rajeswara Rao and sung by P. Leela for the Vijaya Vauhini comedy film 'Kadan Vangi Kalyanam' (1958), this song stands out as a classical devotional narrative inside a social comedy setting, beautifully summarizing the major cantos of the Ramayana.

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