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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Sivayanama

From Yaazh · 2017

Lyricist
Mani Amuthavan
Singers
Siva, Sriram, Mani Amuthavan
Music director
S. N. Arunagiri
Details
Yaazh2017

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
OhmmmmmmOhm...
Chorus
SivayanamaSivayanama (Salutations to Shiva)
YanamasivaYanamasiva
MasivayanaMasivayana
VayanamasiVayanamasi
NamasivayaNamasivaya
Chorus
SivayanamaSivayanama
YanamasivaYanamasiva
MasivayanaMasivayana
VayanamasiVayanamasi
NamasivayaNamasivaya
Chorus
Vaal kondu sayathaOur head that did not bow down to swords,
Thalai engal thalai engalOur head, our head,
Yaazh kandu saayum shiva sankaraBows down upon witnessing the Yaazh instrument, O Shiva Shankara!
Vel kandu sayathaOur army that did not fall to spears,
Padai engal padai engalOur army, our army,
Yaazh kandu saayum shiva sankaraBows down upon witnessing the Yaazh instrument, O Shiva Shankara!
Chorus
SivayanamaSivayanama
YanamasivaYanamasiva
MasivayanaMasivayana
VayanamasiVayanamasi
NamasivayaNamasivaya
Male
Kulappu vazhi annaLike the intricate pathway,
Kavadu padu pathalAnd the bifurcated deep pit,
Vilakku azhalal uruvinIn the form illuminated by lamp light,
Visivuru pachaiThe vibrant green hue spreading,
Eeiyaa ilanchoozh seiyyolLike the flawless young tender womb,
AvvayittruWithin that belly,
Aithumayarozhugiya thotram polaResembling the appearance of fine hair flowing smoothly,
Pollam poththiya podhiyuru porvaiLike a bundle wrapped and sewn together,
Anaivazh alavan kann kanduBeholding the eyes of the crab on the riverbanks,
Anaivazh alavan kann kanduBeholding the eyes of the crab on the riverbanks,
Chorus
Magaraperi kisagaseeriThe traditional string instruments such as Makara Yaazh and Sengotti Yaazh,
Sagada sen kotti vil vagai yithaazhWith curved shapes like a wheel and bow-like leaves,
Chorus
Yazh kandu naam inguSeeing the Yaazh here, we have,
Naal kandu thoal kanduLooking at the days and observing our strength,
Vaazhkindra vazhi sonnom sivashankaraShown the path to live, O Shiva Shankara!
Ul kandu veli kanduLooking within and looking outside,
Ullukkum mull kanduSeeing even the thorn inside our hearts,
Unarkindra mozhi sonnom siva shankaraWe spoke the language of deep perception, O Shiva Shankara!
Chorus
Magaraperi kisagaseeriThe traditional string instruments such as Makara Yaazh and Sengotti Yaazh,
Sagada sen kotti vil vagai yithaazhWith curved shapes like a wheel and bow-like leaves,
Male
Thulaivai thoornthaFilled closely with keyholes,
Thurappu amai yaniCrafted with proper latches and locks,
Ennaal thingal vadivitru aagiTaking the shape of the crescent moon,
Annaal illa amaivaru varuvaiPossessing an incomparable and supreme structural form,
Paambu ananthannaResembling the primordial serpent Ananta,
Ongu iru maruppinWith tall twin tusks,
Maayon munkai aaithodi kadukkumResembling the fine bangle worn on Lord Vishnu's forearm,
Kankoodu irukkaiA clear sight to behold,
Thin pini thivvinBound tightly with firm pegs,
Aithinai arusi avaiyal annaResembling fine grains of millet cooked together,
Veivai pokiya viral ular narambinWith strings plucked smoothly by nimble fingers,
Chorus
Mel anthu ponaalumEven if our skin burns and blisters,
Thoal venthu ponaalumEven if our shoulders are charred,
Soozh kondu varuvomae sivashankaraWe shall return bearing our sacred vow, O Shiva Shankara!
Naal vantha pin anthaOnce the destined day arrives, after that,
Naal vantha pin engalOnce that day arrives, our,
Yazh kondu varuvomae sivashankaraWe shall return bearing the Yaazh, O Shiva Shankara!
Male
Kelviyin pokiye neel veesi thodaiyalSurpassing all inquiries, stretching far with floral garlands,
Manam kamazh maadharai manni annaResembling fragrant, adorned women,
Anangu mei nindra amaivaruA divine presence standing in majestic form,
Kaatchi aaru alai kalvar padai vidaFiercer than a band of river-waylaying bandits,
Arulin maruthalai peyarkum maruvuDispelling adversity with grace,
Inpaalai …ee….inpaalai…ee…Sweet tune... oh... sweet tune... oh...
Chorus
Magaraperi kisagaseeriThe traditional string instruments such as Makara Yaazh and Sengotti Yaazh,
Sagada sen kotti vil vagai yithaazhWith curved shapes like a wheel and bow-like leaves,
Chorus
Thee yendru sonnalumWhether called destructive fire,
Theebam endru sonnalumOr called a sacred lamp,
Thee enbathu ondruthaan siva shankaraFire itself is one and the same, O Shiva Shankara!
Nee endru sonnalum naan endru sonnalumWhether you say 'You' or say 'I',
Nam sakthi ondruthaan siva shankaraOur divine power is one and the same, O Shiva Shankara!
Chorus
SivayanamaSivayanama
YanamasivaYanamasiva
MasivayanaMasivayana
VayanamasiVayanamasi
NamasivayaNamasivaya
Chorus
SivayanamaSivayanama
YanamasivaYanamasiva
MasivayanaMasivayana
VayanamasiVayanamasi
NamasivayaNamasivaya

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This powerful track incorporates classical Sangam Tamil poetry combined with sacred Shaivite chants (the Panchakshara mantra variants). The verses evoke the rich cultural heritage of the ancient Tamil people, specifically celebrating the 'Yaazh'—a traditional ancient harp-like string instrument that holds deep spiritual, artistic, and historical significance in Tamil literature.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monal / Anaphora

Vaal kondu sayatha / Vel kandu sayatha

Repetition of words at the beginning of adjacent lines, such as 'Vaal kondu' and 'Vel kondu', creating rhythm.

Emonai (Alliteration / Rhyme)

Thee yendru sonnalum / Nee endru sonnalum

Matching sound patterns across lines like 'Thee yendru' and 'Nee endru'.

Simile (Upamanai / Thotram pola)

Aithumayarozhugiya thotram pola

Comparing the physical structure and aesthetics of the Yaazh to natural phenomena using classical Sangam metaphors like 'pola' and 'anna'.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song draws heavy inspiration and direct textual references from ancient Sangam literature (such as Pattinappalai and Perumpanarrupadai) describing the structure, craftsmanship, and ethereal sound of the ancient stringed instrument called the 'Yaazh'.

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