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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Shyamala Varnanae Mayavanae

From Meera (1945) Film · 1945

Lyricist
Papanasam Sivan
Singer
Radha Sadasivam
Music director
S. V. Venkatraman
Details
Meera (1945) Film1945

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Shyaamala vannanae maayavanaeO dark-complexioned one! O mysterious illusionist!
Gana shyaamala vannanae maayavanaeO dark cloud-complexioned one! O mysterious illusionist!
Malar thaamarai polum naayaganaeO Lord who resembles a blossoming lotus!
Male
Thaaraga naamanae thooyavanaeO pure one whose holy name is the redeeming star!
Gana thaaraga naamanae thooyavanaeO pure one whose mighty name is the redeeming star!
Uyar dwaaragai vaazhum adhipanaeO supreme sovereign ruler residing in noble Dwarka!
Thaaraga naamanae thooyavanaeO pure one whose holy name is the redeeming star!
Uyar dwaaragai vaazhum adhipanaeO supreme sovereign ruler residing in noble Dwarka!
Male
Sura maamuniyodum vandhanai puriyumWorshipped and revered along with gods and great sages,
Sura maamuniyodum vandhanai puriyumWorshipped and revered along with gods and great sages,
Hae prabo…aa…aa..aa…aaa…aaa…aa…O Lord... ah... ah...
Haa…aaa…aaa….aaa….aaa…aa….Ha... ah... ah...
Sura maamuniyodum vandhanai puriyumWorshipped and revered along with gods and great sages,
Thiru naarananae pari poorananaeO divine Lord Narayana! O absolute and complete one!
Female
Karunaanidhiyae yenadhu gadhiyaeO ocean of mercy! O my ultimate refuge!
Vaama suraapadhiyaeO beautiful lord of the celestials!
Muralidharanae nandha sudhanaeO flute player! O beloved son of Nanda!
Gokula naayaganaeO Lord of Gokulam!
Muralidharanae nandha sudhanaeO flute player! O beloved son of Nanda!
Gokula naayaganaeO Lord of Gokulam!
Male
Jaya maadhavanae uyar yaadhavanaeVictory to Madhava! O noble descendant of Yadavas!
Male
Giridhara gopaalanukki…To Giridhara Gopala...
Chorus :Jaiiii…..Chorus: Victory!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a sublime devotional hymn dedicated to Lord Krishna, praising His divine attributes, enchanting appearance, and holy manifestations. The lyricist invokes Krishna through various sacred names—Muralidhara, Madhava, Narayana, and Giridhara Gopala—describing His dark complexion like rain clouds, His lotus-like grace, and His abode in Gokulam and Dwarka. The devotee surrenders completely to the Lord, acknowledging Him as the ultimate refuge, the ocean of mercy, and the supreme protector worshipped by sages and celestials alike.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Upamai (Simile)

Malar thaamarai polum naayaganae

Compares the divine Lord to a blooming lotus flowers using the explicit comparison word 'polum'.

Edhukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Thiru naarananae pari poorananae

Rhyming of the second letter 'raa' across consecutive lines (Naarananae / Poorananae).

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Muralidharanae nandha sudhanae / Gokula naayaganae

Repetition of the vocative suffix '-nae' across multiple line endings creating a melodic rhythmic cadence.

Rupakam (Metaphor)

Karunaanidhiyae yenadhu gadhiyae

Refers to the Lord as 'Karunaanidhi', literally a treasure chest/ocean of mercy.

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Trivia

Meera (1945) was a landmark musical film directed by American filmmaker Ellis R. Dungan and starred legendary Carnatic vocalist M. S. Subbulakshmi. The lyrics were penned by Tamil poet-composer Papanasam Sivan, and the music was composed by S. V. Venkatraman. M. S. Subbulakshmi's portrayal of Saint Meerapai in this film and its subsequent 1947 Hindi remake brought her immortal national and global acclaim.

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