Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Sree Dhamodara Jaya

From Sudharsan · 1951

Lyricist
Papanasam Sivan
Singer
P. U. Chinnappa
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Details
Sudharsan1951

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics↻ English translation
Male
Sri dhaamodhara jeya sekaraaOh Lord Damodara, victoriously supreme Lord!
Karunagara muralitharaOh ocean of mercy, the flute-bearer!
Sri dhaamodhara jeya sekaraaOh Lord Damodara, victoriously supreme Lord!
Karunagara muralitharaOh ocean of mercy, the flute-bearer!
Male
Jeya sekaraa karunagara muralitharaVictoriously supreme Lord, ocean of mercy, flute-bearer!
Jeya sekaraa karunagara muralitharaVictoriously supreme Lord, ocean of mercy, flute-bearer!
Sri dhaamodhara jeya sekaraaOh Lord Damodara, victoriously supreme Lord!
Sri dhaamodhara jeya sekaraaOh Lord Damodara, victoriously supreme Lord!
Male
Gyaanigal dhyaana mona nilaiyilIn the silent meditative state of enlightened sages,
Gyaanigal dhyaana mona nilaiyilIn the silent meditative state of enlightened sages,
Kaanidum magimai naan arivenooWill I ever comprehend the divine glory they behold?
Kaanidum magimai naan arivenooWill I ever comprehend the divine glory they behold?
Male
Sri dhaamodhara jeya sekaraaOh Lord Damodara, victoriously supreme Lord!
Sri dhaamodhara jeya sekaraaOh Lord Damodara, victoriously supreme Lord!
Sri dhaamodhara jeya sekaraaOh Lord Damodara, victoriously supreme Lord!
Sri dhaamodhara jeya sekaraaOh Lord Damodara, victoriously supreme Lord!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This devotional song is a passionate invocation praising Lord Krishna (Damodara). The lyrics highlight His supreme virtues as the compassionate ocean of mercy and the divine flute-player (Muralithara). The singer expresses deep humility, wondering if a humble devotee like himself could ever truly grasp or witness the divine splendour that enlightened sages perceive in deep, silent meditation. Penned by Papanasam Sivan and rendered powerfully by P. U. Chinnappa, the piece reflects classic Carnatic devotional fervour adapted for early Tamil cinema.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Adukkuthodar (Repetition for Devotional Emphasis)

“Jeya sekaraa karunagara muralithara”

The rhythmic repetition of epithets like 'Jeya sekaraa karunagara muralithara' simulates a classic Namavali bhajan chant.

Rhetorical Question (Vinai)

“Kaanidum magimai naan arivenoo”

The suffix '-oo' in 'arivenoo' forms a rhetorical question expressing profound humility regarding whether mortal intellect can comprehend divine glory.

Monal / Alliteration

“Gyaanigal dhyaana mona nilaiyil / Kaanidum magimai naan arivenoo”

Repetition of the 'ma' sound in 'magimai' following 'mona' creates a pleasing auditory harmony across the lines.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Sudharsan' (1951) was one of the last film projects of the iconic singing star P. U. Chinnappa, who tragically passed away in 1951. The lyrics were written by Papanasam Sivan, often hailed as the 'Tamil Tyagaraja', who infused Carnatic devotional composition styles into early film music.

Keep listening

More from Sudharsan