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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Sagalamum Guruve

From Mayakkari · 1951

Lyricist
Narasimman
Singer
K. R. Chellamuthu
Music director
P. Aadhinarayana Rao
Details
Mayakkari1951

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Sagalamum guruvae endrothaniraeIt was said that the Guru is everything
Guruvae guruvaeO Guru, O Guru
Guruvae annaiyum thandhaiyumThe Guru is mother and father
Guruvae en pathiyum kathiyumThe Guru is my lord and refuge
Guru om namahaOm, bow to the Guru
Male
Ellam ellam evvidhamae namEverything, everything is like this, our
Jeevidham pala varna kambalamaeLife is a multi-colored carpet
Ellam ellam evvidhamaeEverything, everything is like this
Nam jeevidham pala varna kambalamaeOur life is a multi-colored carpet
Male
Kaarigai kanagamae logamada ivaiWomen, gold, and this world
Guruvugal karpitha thaalamadaAre the rhythm taught by the gurus
Kaarigai kanagamae logamada ivaiWomen, gold, and this world
Guruvugal karpitha thaalamadaAre the rhythm taught by the gurus
Male
Guru maharaj guru maharajGuru Maharaj, Guru Maharaj
Guru maharaj sath guru maharajGuru Maharaj, True Guru Maharaj
Chorus :Guru maharaj guru maharajChorus: Guru Maharaj, Guru Maharaj
Guru maharaj sath guru maharajGuru Maharaj, True Guru Maharaj
Male
Nam korikkaiyae niraivera endraalaeIf our wishes are to be fulfilled
Nam korikkaiyae niraivera endraalaeIf our wishes are to be fulfilled
Kana kaariyangalae seidhidanumWe must perform grand deeds
Bogi yogiyaai maarnumaeA pleasure-seeker must turn into an ascetic
Thayagi rogiyaai nadakanumaeA sacrificer must act like a sick person
Male
Bogi yogiyaai maarnumaeA pleasure-seeker must turn into an ascetic
Thayagi rogiyaai nadakanumaeA sacrificer must act like a sick person
Bogi yogiyaai maarnumaeA pleasure-seeker must turn into an ascetic
Thayagi rogiyaai nadakanumaeA sacrificer must act like a sick person
Male
Guru maharaj guru maharajGuru Maharaj, Guru Maharaj
Guru maharaj sath guru maharajGuru Maharaj, True Guru Maharaj
Chorus :Guru maharaj guru maharajChorus: Guru Maharaj, Guru Maharaj
Guru maharaj sath guru maharajGuru Maharaj, True Guru Maharaj
Male
Veshamae palavae podanumaeOne must don many disguises
Kaashaayam thaan katta venumOne must wear saffron robes
Kallena kanavena therindidanumOne must realize it is like a stone, like a dream
Kokku jabam thaan sedhidanumOne must perform deceitful crane-like prayers
Kallena kanavena therindidanumOne must realize it is like a stone, like a dream
Kokku jabam thaan sedhidanumOne must perform deceitful crane-like prayers
Male
Guru maharaj guru maharajGuru Maharaj, Guru Maharaj
Guru maharaj sath guru maharajGuru Maharaj, True Guru Maharaj
Chorus :Guru maharaj guru maharajChorus: Guru Maharaj, Guru Maharaj
Guru maharaj sath guru maharajGuru Maharaj, True Guru Maharaj
Male
Maaya jegamena nadathidanumOne must act knowing this world is an illusion
Maakaararaai mayakidanumAnd mesmerize others as master manipulators
Guru maharaj guru maharajGuru Maharaj, Guru Maharaj
Guru maharaj sath guru maharajGuru Maharaj, True Guru Maharaj
Chorus :Guru maharaj guru maharajChorus: Guru Maharaj, Guru Maharaj
Guru maharaj sath guru maharajGuru Maharaj, True Guru Maharaj
Male
Tharaga mandhiramum korina kidaithathuI received the redemptive mantra upon asking
Tharaga mandhiramum korina kidaithathuI received the redemptive mantra upon asking
Thanyanae aanenanae oo annaaI became blessed, oh brother
Meerina kaalanin dhoodhargal paalinilBefore the messengers of unyielding death
Meerina kaalanin dhoodhargal paalinilBefore the messengers of unyielding death
Male
Meerina kaalanin dhoodhargal paalinilBefore the messengers of unyielding death
Mirudhuvaai en manamum miga kondenMy mind became immensely gentle
Tharaga mandhiramum korina kidaithathuI received the redemptive mantra upon asking
Chorus :Korina kidaithathu korina kidaithathuChorus: Received upon asking, received upon asking
Male
Korina kidaithathuChorus :Korina kidaithathu…(3)Received upon asking Chorus: Received upon asking (x3)
All :Korina kidaithathu korina kidaithathu…(3)All: Received upon asking, received upon asking (x3)

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Mayakkari' offers a witty and philosophical commentary on the role of gurus, human deceit, and the illusory nature of worldly existence. It begins with traditional veneration of the spiritual teacher as mother, father, and ultimate sanctuary, but transitions into a satirical reflection on how people adopt various disguises, wear saffron robes, and engage in hypocritical rituals ('crane-like prayers') to fulfill worldly ambitions.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

Jeevidham pala varna kambalamae

Life is directly compared to a multi-colored carpet, symbolizing its varied experiences and illusions.

Contrast / Antithesis (Muran)

Bogi yogiyaai maarnumae / Thayagi rogiyaai nadakanumae

Contrasts 'Bogi' (pleasure seeker) becoming a 'Yogi' (ascetic) and a 'Thayagi' (renunciate) acting like a 'Rogi' (sick person).

Idiomatic Metaphor (Kokku Jabam)

Kokku jabam thaan sedhidanum

The term 'Kokku Jabam' (crane's meditation) is a classic Tamil metaphor for deceitful or hypocritical devotion.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Mayakkari' (1951) was a prominent early Tamil dub/adaptation of a fantasy folklore film soundtrack scored by P. Adinarayana Rao, showcasing K. R. Chellamuthu's distinct theatrical singing style.

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