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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Sangeetham En Nimmadhi

From Ilangeswaran · 1987

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
K. J. Yesudas
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Ilangeswaran1987

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Sangeetham en nimmadhiMusic is my peace
Aa aa aa aa aa……Aa aa aa aa aa……
Sangeetham en nimmadhiMusic is my peace
Female
Sanidhanisa sarisanidhani sarigamarikariSa ni dha ni sa sa ri sa ni dha ni sa ri ga ma ri ga ri
Ga mathagama dhani madhanisa thanisa sarisaGa ma ta ga ma dha ni ma dha ni sa tha ni sa sa ri sa
Sarisarisarisari sanidhamagarisaSa ri sa ri sa ri sa ri sa ni dha ma ga ri sa
Male
Sangeetham en nimmadhiMusic is my peace
Sapthaswaram thaanae en sannadhiThe seven notes alone are my sanctum
Kaiyendhum pon veenai ketkaadhoo en aanaiWill not the golden veena held in my hands obey my command?
Idhu thaanae hamsanandhi…ee…ee…This indeed is the raga Hamsanandhi...
Idhu thaanae hamsanandhi..This indeed is Hamsanandhi..
Male
Maaanodu mazhuvendhiHolding a deer and an axe
Mandrathil nindraadumDancing in the cosmic hall
Marai pottrum parameswaranLord Parameswaran who is praised by the Vedas
Male
Marai pottrum parameswaranLord Parameswaran who is praised by the Vedas
Avan thaazh pottri naal dhorumPraising His lotus feet every day
Sei nandri maravaadhaNever forgetting a good deed received
Vaazh veeran ilangeswaran..Is the sword-wielding hero, Ilangeswaran..
Vaazh veeran ilangeswaran..Is the sword-wielding hero, Ilangeswaran..
Male
Sangeetham en nimmadhi…Music is my peace…
Female
Aaaa….aaa….aaa…..Aaaa….aaa….aaa…..
Male
Kadal naangum thaalattum valamaana naaduA prosperous land lulled by four surrounding oceans
Kasthuri maan kootam vilaiyaadum kaaduA forest where herds of musk deer frolic
Poongaatrum thaandadhu naan potta koduEven the gentle breeze will not cross the boundary line I draw
Indha puvi vendhan nana aagum enakku yedhu eeduAs I am the emperor of this earth, who can equal me?
Male
Sangeetham en nimmadhi…Music is my peace…
Male
Mayilae thogai ila mayilaeOh peacock, young peacock with radiant feathers
Female :Sariga magarisani sarigaFemale: Sa ri ga ma ga ri sa ni sa ri ga
Male :Paruva maeni bharatham aadaMale: As the youthful body dances Bharatanatyam
Padhamum paadaAnd rhythmically sings with footsteps
Vizhiyil ezhudhum kavidhai yaavumAll the poetic expressions written in the eyes
Isai muzhanghaAs the divine music reverberates
Female :Ga ma ga thatha madhama ni niFemale: Ga ma ga tha tha ma dha ma ni ni
Thanitha saa saaTha ni tha saa saa
Nisanidhanidha madhmagarisani sa ri gaNi sa ni dha ni dha ma dha ma ga ri sa ni sa ri ga
Male
Vanna thaamarai aadai soodi varaAdorned in attire like a colorful lotus
Vanji poongodi jaadai pesi varaWalking with subtle gestures like a slender flowering vine
Vizhikkul pirakkum mayakkamAn enchanting intoxication is born within the eyes
Male
Kattu poonguzhal kaattril neendhi varaAs tied floral tresses swim gently in the breeze
Inba kaaviyam kannil yendhi varaCarrying a blissful epic in her eyes
Kalaikor vilakkam kidaikkumA true illumination of the arts is gained
Male
Naan vaazhum manimaadamThe jeweled palace where I reside
Aanandha kalaikoodam ooyadha sandhosamaeIs an academy of joyful arts filled with unending happiness
Vaan vaazhum devarkkum vaaikkadhu ennaalumWhich even the gods residing in heaven do not possess forever
Naan kaanum sowbakkiyamae…ae….Is the ultimate good fortune that I experience...
Male
Sangeetham en nimmadhiMusic is my peace
Sapthaswaram thanaae en sannidhi…ee…ee…ee…The seven notes alone are my sanctum...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic musical composition expresses the majestic pride, devotion, and artistic mastery of King Ilangeswaran (Ravana). He glorifies divine music (specifically referencing Raga Hamsanandhi) as his ultimate solace and sanctum, claiming authority over both his golden veena and his prosperous kingdom surrounded by oceans. Ravana declares his deep reverence for Lord Shiva (Parameswaran)—the cosmic dancer holding the deer and axe—while highlighting his own unyielding loyalty, heroic stature, and gratitude. The song further paints a vivid picture of Ravana's opulent empire and vibrant palace court where dance and music flourish continuously. Describing the beauty of fine arts, dance mudras, and aesthetics, he asserts that the joy and prosperity he experiences in his realm exceed even the blessings bestowed upon the heavenly gods.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Kaiyendhum pon veenai ketkaadhoo en aanai / Idhu thaanae hamsanandhi

Matching second consonants across consecutive lines, creating a rhythmic cadence in Tamil poetry.

Moonaai (Initial Alliteration)

Maaanodu mazhuvendhi / Mandrathil nindraadum / Marai pottrum parameswaran

Repetition of initial consonant sounds across words in the same line.

Metaphor (Uruvagham)

Sapthaswaram thaanae en sannadhi

Comparing music and notes directly to a holy sanctum/sanctuary ('sannadhi') and eyes to poetic works ('vizhiyil ezhudhum kavidhai').

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navitchi Ani)

Poongaatrum thaandadhu naan potta kodu

Exaggerating the king's supreme authority to emphasize his absolute power over nature.

Did you know?

Trivia

In Hindu mythology and Tamil literary tradition, Ravana (Ilangeswaran) is celebrated as a master musician and dedicated devotee of Lord Shiva who played the veena using his own nerve strings. Lyricist Vaali weaves classical swara solkattu alongside pure Tamil poetic meters to showcase Ravana's artistic brilliance and majestic vanity in this track.

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