- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Movie name
- Thiruvarutchelvar
- Movie release year
- 1967
- Lyrics added on
- 17 Oct 2019
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This hymn expresses profound spiritual devotion and absolute surrender to Lord Shiva. It opens with the famous historic verse composed by Saint Sundarar at Thiruvennainallur, where Shiva intervened in his life to claim him as a divine servant. The singer proclaims that their heart and mind are completely submerged in Shiva-consciousness (Siva Mayam), dispelling all earthly fear. The song further elaborates on the cosmic duality and unity of Shiva and Shakti (Father and Mother), explaining how devotion melts the physical and spiritual self into sheer bliss. It ends with a prayer for generations to remain devoted to the Supreme Lord who opens both the eyes of wisdom and the doors of grace.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Allusion (Purana/History Reference)
“Pithaa pirai soodi perumaanae... Vennai nalloor arul thuraiyul”
The opening lines directly quote the first verse sung by Saint Sundaramoorthy Nayanar when Lord Shiva claimed him at Thiruvennainallur Arulturai temple.
Edhukai (Second-letter Rhyming)
“Bakthi perukkil endhan oon uruga / Sakthi ellaam thirandu sivam peruga”
Rhyming of second consonant sound in adjacent lines ('oon' and 'uyir' context with 'Bakthi' and 'Sakthi').
Anaphora (Repetition for Emphasis)
“Sithamellaam enakku Siva mayamae iraivaa”
The refrain 'Sithamellaam enakku Siva mayamae iraivaa' is repeated continuously to emphasize unwavering focus and total immersion in Shiva.
Imagery / Metaphor
“Bakthi perukkil endhan oon uruga / Andha paravasathil ullae uyir uruga”
Uses physical melting ('oon uruga', 'uyir uruga') as a metaphor for deep emotional and spiritual ecstasy.
Did you know?
Trivia
The opening stanza 'Pithaa pirai soodi' is considered the first hymn composed by Saint Sundarar (one of the 63 Nayanmars) in the 8th century AD. According to legend, Shiva appeared as an old man and called Sundarar 'Pitha' (madman), which Sundarar turned into the first word of his divine song. In the movie 'Thiruvarutchelvar' (1967), KV Mahadevan set these traditional and extended verses to music, rendered powerfully by T.M. Soundararajan and K. Sarangapani.
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