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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Sonnaal Inikkudhu

From Saranam Ayyappa · 1980

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Music director
Chandrabose
Movie name
Saranam Ayyappa
Movie release year
1980
Lyrics added on
15 Jun 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Sonnaal inikkudhu sugamaai irukkudhu
Ponnaai maniyaai un mugam jolikkudhu
Sonnaal inikkudhu sugamaai irukkudhu
Ponnaai maniyaai un mugam jolikkudhu
Sonnaal inikkudhu sugamaai irukkudhu
Ponnaai maniyaai un mugam jolikkudhu
Harihara puthira avadhaaramae
Adhikaalai kaetkindra bhoobaalamae
Harihara puthira avadhaaramae
Adhikaalai kaetkindra bhoobaalamae
Anuvukkul anuvaana aadhaaramae
Anuvukkul anuvaana aadhaaramae
Naan andraadam padikkindra dhaevaaramae
Sonnaal inikkudhu sugamaai irukkudhu
Ponnaai maniyaai un mugam jolikkudhu
Vaedhathin vidhaiyaaga vizhundhavanae
Veerathin kanaiyaaga pirandhavanae
Vaedhathin vidhaiyaaga vizhundhavanae
Veerathin kanaiyaaga pirandhavanae
Baedhathai poraadi azhithavanae
Baedhathai poraadi azhithavanae
Gnaana vaedhaandha porulaaga thigazhbavanae
Sonnaal inikkudhu sugamaai irukkudhu
Ponnaai maniyaai un mugam jolikkudhu
Villudan ambudan vaengai puliyudan
Porkkalam pugundhavanae
Solli mudithidum mun varum
Pagaiyai killi erindhavanae
Alli eduthu arul tharubavanae
Anbae vadivaai iruppavanae….yae….
Un pugazhai….
Sonnaal inikkudhu sugamaai irukkudhu
Ponnaai maniyaai un mugam jolikkudhu
Speaking of you tastes sweet, it feels so peaceful,
like gold and precious gems, your face shines bright.
Speaking of you tastes sweet, it feels so peaceful,
like gold and precious gems, your face shines bright.
Speaking of you tastes sweet, it feels so peaceful,
like gold and precious gems, your face shines bright.
O divine incarnation, son of Shiva and Vishnu!
O morning melody heard at the break of dawn!
O divine incarnation, son of Shiva and Vishnu!
O morning melody heard at the break of dawn!
O supreme foundation deep within every atom!
O supreme foundation deep within every atom!
O sacred hymn I chant every single day!
Speaking of you tastes sweet, it feels so peaceful,
like gold and precious gems, your face shines bright.
You who were sown as the seed of the Vedas!
You who were born as the swift arrow of valour!
You who were sown as the seed of the Vedas!
You who were born as the swift arrow of valour!
You who fought and wiped out all discrimination!
You who fought and wiped out all discrimination!
You who shine as the true essence of spiritual wisdom!
Speaking of you tastes sweet, it feels so peaceful,
like gold and precious gems, your face shines bright.
Armed with bow and arrow, alongside a fierce tiger,
you who stepped onto the battlefield!
Even before a prayer is finished, against every enemy that approaches,
you who pluck them away and cast them out!
You who gather us in your arms and shower your grace,
you who are the very form of love!
Your sacred glory...
speaking of it tastes sweet, it feels so peaceful,
like gold and precious gems, your face shines bright.
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Sonnaal Inikkudhu is a renowned Tamil devotional hymn dedicated to Lord Ayyappan from the film Saranam Ayyappa (1980), penned by Kannadasan. The lyrics express the boundless bliss and sweet contentment experienced by a devotee when chanting the name of Lord Ayyappa. The deity's divine face is described as radiating brilliance like pure gold and glittering gems, filling the worshipper's heart with peace.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

“Ponnaai maniyaai un mugam jolikkudhu”

Compares the radiant face of Lord Ayyappa directly to shiny gold and glittering gems.

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

“Vaedhathin vidhaiyaaga vizhundhavanae”

Metaphorically addresses the deity as the seed of Vedic wisdom, the arrow of valor, and a morning Bhoopalam raaga.

Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

“Vaedhathin vidhaiyaaga vizhundhavanae”

Matching second consonant patterns across consecutive lines ('Vaedhathin', 'Veerathin', 'Baedhathai').

Alliteration (Monaai)

“Sonnaal inikkudhu sugamaai irukkudhu”

Repetition of initial phonetic sounds creating musicality and rhythmic flow ('Sonnaal', 'sugamaai').

Did you know?

Trivia

This song is a staple in Tamil Nadu during the annual Sabarimala pilgrimage season (Mandala-Makaravilakku). Kannadasan's lyrical framing of Ayyappan as both an ultimate cosmic atom (Anuvukkul anuvaana) and an embodiment of pure love highlights traditional Advaita Vedanta philosophy woven into accessible devotional music.

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