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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Sindhanai Sei Manamae

From Ambikapathy (Old) · 1957

Lyricist
K. D. Santhanam
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Details
Ambikapathy (Old)1957

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Aayar kalaigal aruvathunaanginaiyumShe who bestows knowledge of all sixty-four arts,
Mmm…mm…mm…Mmm…mm…mm…
Eeya unarvikkum em annai –Our mother who imparts wisdom –
Thooya urppalingu polvalShe who is like pure crystal,
En ullathin ullaeResides within my heart,
Iruppalingu vara thidarHere inside to grant firm wisdom.
Male
Sindhanai sei manamae…Oh mind, contemplate!
Sindhanai sei manamae dhinamae…aeOh mind, contemplate daily…
Male
Sindhanai sei manamaeOh mind, contemplate!
Seidhaal theevinai agandridumaeIf you do so, evil deeds will be dispelled.
Sivagaami maganai shanmuganaiUpon Shanmugan, the son of Sivagaami,
Male
Sindhanai sei manamaeOh mind, contemplate!
Seidhaal theevinai agandridumaeIf you do so, evil deeds will be dispelled.
Sivagaami maganai shanmuganaiUpon Shanmugan, the son of Sivagaami,
Sindhanai sei manamae… manamae… ae…aeOh mind, contemplate… oh mind…
Male
Senthamizhkkarul nyaanaThe wise master who bestows grace upon rich Tamil,
Dhesiga mei nyaana dhesiganai…The true spiritual teacher…
Aa…aa…aa….aa….aa….aa….aaa…a.a…..aa…Aa…aa…aa….aa….aa….aa….aaa…a.a…..aa…
Haaa….aaa….aa….aaa….aa…aa…Haaa….aaa….aa….aaa….aa…aa…
Male
Senthamizhkkarul nyaanaThe wise master who bestows grace upon rich Tamil,
Dhesiganai…sendhilThe guru… Lord Kandhan of Senthil,
Kandhanai vaanavar kaavalanai guhanaiThe protector of the celestials, Lord Guhan,
Male
Sindhanai sei manamaeOh mind, contemplate!
Seidhaal theevinai agandridumaeIf you do so, evil deeds will be dispelled.
Sivagaami maganai shanmuganaiUpon Shanmugan, the son of Sivagaami,
Sindhanai sei manamae… manamae… ae…aeOh mind, contemplate… oh mind…
Male
Santhadham moovaasaiAlways wallowing in the mire
Saghadhiyil uzhandranai…Of the three worldly desires…
Eee…ee…ee….ee….ee….Eee…ee…ee….ee….ee….
Male
Santhadham moovaasaiAlways wallowing in the mire
Saghadhiyil uzhandranaiOf the three worldly desires,
Samarasa sanmaarghaYou forgot the harmonious path
Neri thanai marandhanaiOf universal righteousness (Sanmarga);
Samarasa sanmaarghaYou forgot the harmonious path
Neri thanai marandhanaiOf universal righteousness (Sanmarga).
Andhagan varum podhuWhen the god of death (Yama) arrives,
Avaniyil yaar thunaiWho will be your companion in this world?
Andhagan varum podhuWhen the god of death (Yama) arrives,
Avaniyil yaar thunaiWho will be your companion in this world?
Aadhalinaal indraeTherefore, starting today, upon Saravana Bhava Guhan,
Arumarai paraviya saravana bhava guhanaiWho is praised by the rare Vedas,
Male
Sindhanai sei manamaeOh mind, contemplate!
Seidhaal theevinai agandridumaeIf you do so, evil deeds will be dispelled.
Sivagaami maganai shanmuganaiUpon Shanmugan, the son of Sivagaami,
Sindhanai sei manamae… manamae… ae…aeOh mind, contemplate… oh mind…
Male
Vadivelum mayilum thunaiThe sharp Spear (Vel) and the peacock are my protection,
Vadivelum mayilum thunaiThe sharp Spear (Vel) and the peacock are my protection;
Sol valamaar senthamilaalIn rich and fluent, beautiful Tamil,
Sandhamum kandhanai paadaTo rhythmically sing praise of Lord Kandhan,
Vadivelum mayilum thunaiThe sharp Spear (Vel) and the peacock are my protection!
Male
Natarajan arul baalanThe blessed child of Nataraja,
Naan marai thozhum seelanThe noble one worshipped by the four Vedas,
Natarajan arul baalanThe blessed child of Nataraja,
Naan marai thozhum seelanThe noble one worshipped by the four Vedas,
Thadam maevum pozhil soozhulumResiding in the garden-encircled holy hill of Thanigai,
Thanigai vaazhum parama gyaana gurubaranThe supreme guru of divine wisdom,
Male
Vadivelum mayilum thunaiThe sharp Spear (Vel) and the peacock are my protection!
Sol valamaar senthamilaalIn rich and fluent, beautiful Tamil,
Sandhamum kandhanai paadaTo rhythmically sing praise of Lord Kandhan,
Vadivelum mayilum thunaiThe sharp Spear (Vel) and the peacock are my protection!
Male
Thamizh maalai thanai chooduvaanHe wears the garland of Tamil verse,
Thamizh maalai thanai chooduvaanHe wears the garland of Tamil verse;
Kondrai thalir maalai malar maalaiAlong with Cassia leaves garland, flower garland,
Japa maalaiyudanAnd prayer beads garland,
Sandha thamizh maalai thanai chooduvaanHe wears the garland of rhythmic Tamil,
Kondrai thalir maalai malar maalaiAlong with Cassia leaves garland, flower garland,
Japa maalaiyudanAnd prayer beads garland,
Sandha thamizh maalai thanai chooduvaanHe wears the garland of rhythmic Tamil!
Male
Thaaba migu veppu vaadhamiduAfflicted with extreme fever, vata,
Pitha maana pini moithu udamboduAnd pitta ailments crowding the body,
Male
Thaaba mighu veppu vaadhamiduAfflicted with extreme fever, vata,
Pitta maana pini moithu udamboduAnd pitta ailments crowding the body,
Saarum uyir thunba saagaramuzhandruWallowing in the ocean of life's suffering,
Saadhanai izhandhu varundhaa munBefore grieving over lost spiritual practices,
Saarum uyir thunba saagaramuzhandruWallowing in the ocean of life's suffering,
Saadhanai izhandhu varundhaa munBefore grieving over lost spiritual practices,
Thaalaiyalithida venumena thudhiPraying for His feet to be granted,
Paadarunaigiri naadhanazhaithidaWhen Arunagirinathar called out,
Dhayavudan isaindhu arul mazhai pozhindhuGraciously agreeing, showering a rain of mercy,
Male
Muthaitharu pathi thirunaghaiyenaPrompting the first line 'Muthaitharu bhakthi thirunagai',
Mudhaladi udaitha thazhaitha karunaiyaiRemembering the flourishing mercy that inspired the first line,
Ninaindhu ninaindhu kavi malar thoduthaWeaving flowers of poetry again and again,
Male
Thamizh maalai thanai chooduvaanHe wears the garland of Tamil verse!
Kondrai thalir maalai malar maalaiAlong with Cassia leaves garland, flower garland,
Japa maalaiyudanAnd prayer beads garland,
Sandha thamizh maalai thanai chooduvaanHe wears the garland of rhythmic Tamil!
Male
Sattrae sarindha kuzhalaeHer slightly slanting locks of hair,
Thuvala tharala vadamThe sway of pearl necklaces,
Thuttrae asaiya kuzhaiyoosalaada…Her earrings swinging gently in motion…
Aa… aa…Aa… aa…
Male
Sattrae sarindha kuzhalaeHer slightly slanting locks of hair,
Thuvala tharala vadamThe sway of pearl necklaces,
Thuttrae asaiya kuzhaiyoosalaada…Her earrings swinging gently in motion…
Aa… aa…Aa… aa…
Thuvar kol seivaaiYou rule with elegance,
Nattrae nozhugha nadana singaara nadaiyazhaghinWith graceful dancing steps that flow beautifully,
Pottraerirukka thalai alangaaram purappattadhaeAscending the golden chariot, the royal head adornment has set forth!
Thalai alangaaram purappattadhaeThe head adornment has set forth!
Thalai alangaaram purappattadhaeThe head adornment has set forth!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic medley from 'Ambikapathy' (1957) opens with a traditional invocation to Goddess Saraswathi, praising her as the divine mother who bestows the 64 arts and resides in the human heart like pure crystal. The song then transitions into a powerful call to spiritual contemplation ('Sindhanai Sei Maname'), urging the human mind to turn away from worldly desires (the three 'aasai': land, gold, and women) and seek refuge in Lord Murugan (Shanmugan/Kandhan). It highlights the transience of mortal life and reminds the listener that when death approaches, only divine devotion serves as a true companion. The later movements shift into ecstatic devotion and praise for Lord Murugan's grace, referencing the legendary saint Arunagirinathar, to whom Murugan gifted the opening line 'Muthaitharu' for the Thiruppugazh. It concludes with vivid poetic imagery of divine beauty, grand processions, and rhythmic Tamil verses dedicated to the deity, blending classical Carnatic aesthetics with rich devotional literature.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monaai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Sindhanai sei manamae / Seidhaal theevinai agandridumae / Sivagaami maganai shanmuganai

Repetition of initial consonant/vowel sounds across words in lines, such as 'Sindhanai', 'Seidhaal', 'Sivagaami'.

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Saarum uyir thunba saagaramuzhandru

'Thunba saagaram' compares life's suffering to a vast ocean, and 'Kavi malar' compares poetic couplets to woven flowers.

Upamai (Simile)

Thooya urppalingu polval

Compares Goddess Saraswathi's pure, luminous divine form to pure crystal ('Thooya urppalingu polval').

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Santhadham moovaasai / Samarasa sanmaargha

Matching second letter in consecutive lines, such as 'Santhadham' and 'Samarasa'.

Did you know?

Trivia

This legendary song sequence from the 1957 Tamil film 'Ambikapathy' features virtuosic renditions by T. M. Soundararajan (TMS) and music composed by G. Ramanathan. The opening lines ('Aayar kalaigal aruvathunaanginaiyum...') are taken directly from the classical Tamil poet Kambar's Saraswathi Vandanam. The track also features references to Arunagirinathar's 'Thiruppugazh', famously citing the divine first word 'Muthaitharu' handed down by Lord Murugan himself.

Keep listening

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