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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thaayilar Ena Nenjagam

From Arutperum Jothi · 1971

Lyricist
Ramalinga Adigalar
Singer
Seerkazhi Govindarajan
Music director
T. R. Pappa
Details
Arutperum Jothi1971

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Thaayilaar ena nenjagam thalarnthaenI grew weary in heart like one without a mother
Thaayilaar ena nenjagam thalarnthaenI grew weary in heart like one without a mother
Thanthai un thiru sannathi adainthaenO Father, I have reached your holy presence
Thaayilaar ena nenjagam thalarnthaenI grew weary in heart like one without a mother
Thanthai un thiru sannathi adainthaenO Father, I have reached your holy presence
Male
Thaayilaar ena nenjagam thalarnthaenI grew weary in heart like one without a mother
Male
Vaayilaar ena irukkindreer allaalOther than remaining silent like a mute person
Aaa….aa….aa….aa….aa….aa….Aaa....aa....aa....aa....aa....aa....
Male :Vaayilaar ena irukkindreer allaalMale: Other than remaining silent like a mute person
Vaai thiranthoru vaarththaiyum solliPlease speak a word by opening your mouth
Vaai thiranthoru vaarththaiyum solliPlease speak a word by opening your mouth
Male
Thaayilaar ena nenjagam thalarnthaenI grew weary in heart like one without a mother
Thanthai un thiru sannathi adainthaenO Father, I have reached your holy presence
Male
Thaayilaar ena nenjagam thalarnthaenI grew weary in heart like one without a mother
Male
Koyilaaga en nechagathamarnthaYou who reside within my heart as if it were a temple
Koyilaaga en nechagathamarnthaYou who reside within my heart as if it were a temple
Kunaththi neeredren kurai ariveeroO embodiment of supreme virtue, do you not know my sorrow?
Kunaththi neeredren kurai ariveeroO embodiment of supreme virtue, do you not know my sorrow?
Male
Oivilaathu nar thondrarukkarulvaaiYou who endlessly shower grace upon good devotees
Oivilaathu nar thondrarukkarulvaaiYou who endlessly shower grace upon good devotees
Oongi seerottri oorudaiyeerae….O Lord who belongs to the exalted town of Tiruvottiyur...
Oongi seerottri oorudaiyeerae….O Lord who belongs to the exalted town of Tiruvottiyur...
Male
Thaayilaar ena nenjagam thalarnthaenI grew weary in heart like one without a mother
Thanthai un thiru sannathi adainthaenO Father, I have reached your holy presence
Thaayilaar ena nenjagam thalarnthaenI grew weary in heart like one without a mother

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant devotional verse, written by Saint Ramalinga Adigalar (Vallalar) and featured in the biographical film 'Arutperum Jothi' (1971), expresses the profound anguish of a soul yearning for divine love and comfort. The devotee compares their deep mental fatigue and emotional isolation to an orphan longing for a mother's affection, turning to the Almighty as the ultimate Father in the holy shrine of Tiruvottiyur. The verse passionately appeals to the Lord, who sits enshrined within the devotee's own heart, asking why He remains silent like a mute instead of offering a comforting word. Recognizing the Lord as an ocean of virtue who constantly blesses His devotees, the speaker pleads for divine intervention to relieve their sorrow.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Upamai (Simile)

Thaayilaar ena nenjagam thalarnthaen

Compares the devotee's deep despair to the grief of a motherless child ('Thaayilaar ena') and the Lord's silence to a mute person ('Vaayilaar ena').

Uruvakam (Metaphor)

Koyilaaga en nechagathamarntha

Metaphorically describes the devotee's heart as a divine temple ('Koyilaaga en nechagathamarntha') where the Lord resides.

Etukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Thaayilaar ena / Vaayilaar ena

Rhyming of the second consonant sound 'yi' in 'Thaayilaar' and 'Vaayilaar'.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Oivilaathu nar thondrarukkarulvaai / Oongi seerottri oorudaiyeerae….

Repetition of initial vowel sounds in 'Oivilaathu' and 'Oongi'.

Did you know?

Trivia

This song is a direct passage from the 'Thiruvarutpa', the celebrated collection of devotional poems composed by Swami Ramalinga Adigalar (Vallalar). In the 1971 film 'Arutperum Jothi', which chronicles Vallalar's spiritual life, master composer T. R. Pappa set these classical verses to music, and legendary Carnatic vocalist Seerkazhi Govindarajan rendered them with profound emotional resonance.

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