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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thalaiva Thavaputhalvaa

From Agathiyar · 1972

Lyricist
K. D. Santhanam
Singers
M. R. Vijaya, P. Radha
Music director
Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan
Details
Agathiyar1972

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
………………………….
Female
Thalaivaa thavaputhalva varugavaeO Leader, O son born of penance, welcome!
Thalaivaa thavaputhalva varugavaeO Leader, O son born of penance, welcome!
Undhan thaamarai thaal panindhen vaazhgavaeI bow to your lotus feet, long may you live!
Thalaivaa thavaputhalva varugavaeO Leader, O son born of penance, welcome!
Undhan thaamarai thaal panindhen vaazhgavaeI bow to your lotus feet, long may you live!
Female
……………………
Female
Nilaiyaana pugazh konda kalai selvamaeO treasure of arts possessing eternal fame!
Aa…aa…aa…aa…aa…aa…aa…a…haa..aa..aa..aa…(Melodic vocalization)
Nilaiyaana pugazh konda kalai selvamaeO treasure of arts possessing eternal fame!
Niraivaana gunakundrae arul vellamaeO mountain of complete virtues, O ocean of grace!
Nilaiyaana pugazh konda kalai selvamaeO treasure of arts possessing eternal fame!
Niraivaana gunakundrae arul vellamaeO mountain of complete virtues, O ocean of grace!
Nedungaalamaai vanangamudiWhose head remained unbowed for a long time,
Nedungaalamaai vanangamudiWhose head remained unbowed for a long time,
Ilangaesanai purangaanavaeTo see the King of Lanka (Ravana) humbled,
Nee illathu yaazhil veru yaar velvoor eerezhulagilumaeWho else but you could conquer on the Yaazh harp across all fourteen worlds?
Female
Thalaivaa thavaputhalva varugavaeO Leader, O son born of penance, welcome!
Undhan thaamarai thaal panindhen vaazhgavaeI bow to your lotus feet, long may you live!
Female
……………………………….
Female
Uruvil kural neeyae arivil malai neeyaeShort in physical form, but a mountain in wisdom!
Karunai mugil neeyae kandhanin thamizh neeyaeA cloud of mercy, you are Lord Murugan's Tamil!
Uruvil kural neeyae arivil malai neeyaeShort in physical form, but a mountain in wisdom!
Karunai mugil neeyae kandhanin thamizh neeyaeA cloud of mercy, you are Lord Murugan's Tamil!
Female
{Alaikadal ezhaiyum kudithuHaving swallowed all seven surging oceans,
Arundhamil ilakkanam padithuHaving authored the grammar of precious Tamil,
Malaiyin mamadhaiyai azhithuHaving destroyed the pride of the mountain,
Vathapiyin aayulai mudithu} (2)Having ended the lifespan of demon Vatapi,
Female
Vaanavar pugazhum maanidar nalanumPraised by celestials, bringing welfare to humankind,
Dhaanamum thavamum gnyaanamum palanumGiving charity, penance, wisdom, and their fruits,
Vaanavar pugazhum maanidar nalanumPraised by celestials, bringing welfare to humankind,
Dhaanamum thavamum gnyaanamum palanumGiving charity, penance, wisdom, and their fruits,
Vedhamum aagama podhamum seertharaImparting the teachings of the Vedas and Agamas flawlessly,
Vilanga miguntha varangal vazhagidumGranting high boons that shine eternally,
Female
Thalaivaa thavaputhalva varugavaeO Leader, O son born of penance, welcome!
Undhan thaamarai thaal panindhen vaazhgavaeI bow to your lotus feet, long may you live!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This devotional song from the 1972 movie Agathiyar is a glorious hymn of welcome and praise dedicated to Sage Agastya. It celebrates his boundless divine virtues, his legendary musical duel on the harp against Ravana, and his divine attributes as a mountain of virtue and ocean of grace. The song highlights his mythological feats including drinking the ocean, taming the pride of the Vindhya mountains, vanquishing the demon Vatapi, and codifying Tamil grammar. Agathiyar is venerated as a short-statured sage possessing mountain-like wisdom, who serves humanity and grants divine boons through the grace of Lord Murugan.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagham)

Undhan thaamarai thaal panindhen vaazhgavae

Comparing Agathiyar's feet to lotus blossoms ('thaamarai thaal'), his virtue to a mountain ('guna kundru'), and grace to a flood ('arul vellam').

Antithesis (Muran)

Uruvil kural neeyae arivil malai neeyae

Contrasting small physical stature ('uruvil kural') with vast mountain-like intelligence ('arivil malai').

Second-letter Rhyme (Edugai)

{Alaikadal ezhaiyum kudithu / Arundhamil ilakkanam padithu...}

Rhyming pattern created using 'l' in Alaikadal, Arundhamil, Malaiyin, and Vathapiyin.

Did you know?

Trivia

The soundtrack of the 1972 film Agathiyar was composed by Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan. Sage Agathiyar is traditionally revered in Tamil tradition as the father of Tamil grammar (Agathiyam) and the head of the First Tamil Sangam.

Keep listening

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