Thalaiye Nee Vanangaai
From Sundara Murthy Nayanar · 1967
- Lyricist
- Thirunavukkarasar
- Music director
- S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
- Details
- Sundara Murthy Nayanar1967
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Thalaiyae nee vanangaai | Oh head, bow down! |
| Thalaiyae nee vanangaai | Oh head, bow down! |
| Thalaimaalai thalaikaninthu | To Him who wears a garland of skulls on His head, |
| Thalaimaalai thalaikaninthu | To Him who wears a garland of skulls on His head, |
| Thalaiyaalae palitherun thalaivanai | To the Lord who wanders begging for alms with a skull, |
| Thalaiyae nee vanangaai | Oh head, bow down! |
| Female | |
| Kangaal kaan mingaloo | Oh eyes, behold! |
| Kangaal kaan mingaloo | Oh eyes, behold! |
| Kadal nanjunda kandandrannai | The Lord whose neck holds the ocean poison, |
| Endoozh veesi nindraadum piraandrannai | The Lord who dances tossing His eight arms, |
| Kangaal kaan mingaloo | Oh eyes, behold! |
| Female | |
| Sevigaazh kaenmingaloo | Oh ears, listen! |
| Sevigaazh kaenmingaloo | Oh ears, listen! |
| Sivan emmirai sembhavala | To the glory of Shiva, our Master, whose form shines like red coral, |
| Eripol maenippiraandriram eppodhum | And shines bright like a burning fire always! |
| Sevigaazh kaenmingaloo | Oh ears, listen! |
| Female | |
| Mukkae nee muralaai | Oh nose, hum His praise! |
| Mudhukaadurai mukkannanai | To the three-eyed Lord residing in the ancient forest, |
| Vakkae nokkiya mangai manaalanai | The consort of the Goddess who looks upon Him with sweet words, |
| Mukkae nee muralaai | Oh nose, hum His praise! |
| Mudhukaadurai mukkannanai | To the three-eyed Lord residing in the ancient forest, |
| Vakkae nokkiya mangai manaalanai | The consort of the Goddess who looks upon Him with sweet words, |
| Mukkae nee muralaai | Oh nose, hum His praise! |
| Female | |
| Vaayae vaazhthu kandaai | Oh mouth, sing praises! |
| Vaayae vaazhthu kandaai | Oh mouth, sing praises! |
| Madhayaanai yuriporthu | To Him who clad Himself in the skin of a rutting elephant, |
| Madhayaanai yuriporthu | To Him who clad Himself in the skin of a rutting elephant, |
| Peivaazh kattagathodum piraanendrennai | To our Lord who resides in the crematorium where spirits dwell, |
| Vaayae vaazhthu kandaai | Oh mouth, sing praises! |
| Female | |
| Nenjae nee ninaiyaai | Oh heart, meditate! |
| Nenjae nee ninaiyaai | Oh heart, meditate! |
| Nimir punsadai ninmalanai | Upon the pure Lord with upright matted locks, |
| Manjaadum malai mangai manaalanai | The consort of the mountain maiden where mist drifts, |
| Nenjae nee ninaiyaai | Oh heart, meditate! |
| Nimir punsadai ninmalanai | Upon the pure Lord with upright matted locks, |
| Manjaadum malai mangai manaalanai | The consort of the mountain maiden where mist drifts, |
| Nenjae nee ninaiyaai | Oh heart, meditate! |
| Female | |
| Kaikaal koopithozhir | Oh hands, fold in devotion! |
| Kaikaal koopithozhir | Oh hands, fold in devotion! |
| Kadi maamalar thoovi nindru | Standing and showering fragrant great flowers, |
| Paivaai paambarai yaartha paramanai | To the Supreme Lord who tied a hooded serpent around His waist, |
| Paivaai paambarai yaartha paramanai | To the Supreme Lord who tied a hooded serpent around His waist, |
| Kaikaal koopithozhir | Oh hands, fold in devotion! |
| Female | |
| Aakkai yaarpayanenna | What is the purpose of this body, |
| Arankoyil valam vanthu | If it does not circumambulate Lord Hara's temple, |
| Pookkaiyaal atti pottriyennadha | And praise Him offering flowers with hands? |
| Ivvyakkkai yaarpayanenna | What is the use of this physical body? |
| Payan ennaa | What is the use? |
| Female | |
| Kaalgalaarpayanenna | What is the purpose of legs, |
| Kaalgalaarpayanenna | What is the purpose of legs, |
| Karai kandanurai koyil | If they do not walk around the temple of the blue-throated Lord, |
| Kola gopura kokararan soozhaa | Encircling the beautiful gopuram and shrine? |
| Kaalgalaarpayanenna | What is the purpose of legs, |
| Karai kandanurai koyil | If they do not walk around the temple of the blue-throated Lord, |
| Kola gopura kokararan soozhaa | Encircling the beautiful gopuram and shrine? |
| Kaalgalaarpayanenna | What is the purpose of legs? |
| Female | |
| Uttraar yaar ularooo | Who are our true relatives? |
| Uttraar yaar ularooo | Who are our true relatives? |
| Uttraar yaar ularooo | Who are our true relatives? |
| Uyir kondu pompozhudhu | When life leaves the body, |
| Kuttraalathurai koothanallaal | Except for the Cosmic Dancer residing in Kuttralam, |
| Namakkuttraar yaar ullaroo | Who else is truly our kin? |
தலையே நீ வணங்காய்
தலையே நீ வணங்காய்
தலைமாலை தலைக்கணிந்து
தலைமாலை தலைக்கணிந்து
தலையாலே பலிதேருந் தலைவனைத்
தலையே நீவணங்காய்..
Oh head, bow down!
Oh head, bow down!
To Him who wears a garland of skulls on His head,
To Him who wears a garland of skulls on His head,
To the Lord who wanders begging for alms with a skull,
Oh head, bow down!
கண்காள் காண்மின்களோ
கண்காள் காண்மின்களோ
கடல் நஞ்சுண்ட கண்டன்றன்னை
எண்டோள் வீசி நின்றாடும் பிரான்றன்னைக்
கண்காள் காண்மின்களோ..
Oh eyes, behold!
Oh eyes, behold!
The Lord whose neck holds the ocean poison,
The Lord who dances tossing His eight arms,
Oh eyes, behold!
செவிகாள் கேண்மின்களோ
செவிகாள் கேண்மின்களோ
சிவன் எம்மிறை செம்பவள
எரிபோல் மேனிப்பி ரான்றிறம் எப்போதுஞ்
செவிகாள் கேண்மின்களோ...
Oh ears, listen!
Oh ears, listen!
To the glory of Shiva, our Master, whose form shines like red coral,
And shines bright like a burning fire always!
Oh ears, listen!
மூக்கே நீ முரலாய்
முதுகாடுறை முக்கணனை
வாக்கே நோக்கிய மங்கை மணாளனை
மூக்கே நீ முரலாய்
முதுகாடுறை முக்கணனை
வாக்கே நோக்கிய மங்கை மணாளனை
மூக்கே நீ முரலாய்...
Oh nose, hum His praise!
To the three-eyed Lord residing in the ancient forest,
The consort of the Goddess who looks upon Him with sweet words,
Oh nose, hum His praise!
To the three-eyed Lord residing in the ancient forest,
The consort of the Goddess who looks upon Him with sweet words,
Oh nose, hum His praise!
வாயே வாழ்த்து கண்டாய்
வாயே வாழ்த்து கண்டாய்
மதயானை யுரிபோர்த்து
மதயானை யுரிபோர்த்து
பேய்வாழ் காட்டகத் தாடும் பிரான்றன்னை
வாயே வாழ்த்துகண்டாய்....
Oh mouth, sing praises!
Oh mouth, sing praises!
To Him who clad Himself in the skin of a rutting elephant,
To Him who clad Himself in the skin of a rutting elephant,
To our Lord who resides in the crematorium where spirits dwell,
Oh mouth, sing praises!
நெஞ்சே நீ நினையாய்
நெஞ்சே நீ நினையாய்
நிமிர் புன்சடை நின்மலனை
மஞ்சாடும் மலை மங்கை மணாளனை
நெஞ்சே நீ நினையாய்
நிமிர் புன்சடை நின்மலனை
மஞ்சாடும் மலை மங்கை மணாளனை
நெஞ்சே நீ நினையாய்..
Oh heart, meditate!
Oh heart, meditate!
Upon the pure Lord with upright matted locks,
The consort of the mountain maiden where mist drifts,
Oh heart, meditate!
Upon the pure Lord with upright matted locks,
The consort of the mountain maiden where mist drifts,
Oh heart, meditate!
கைகாள் கூப்பித்தொழீர்
கைகாள் கூப்பித்தொழீர்
கடிமாமலர் தூவி நின்று
கடிமாமலர் தூவி நின்று
பைவாய்ப் பாம்பரை யார்த்த பரமனைக்
கைகாள் கூப்பித்தொழீர்....
Oh hands, fold in devotion!
Oh hands, fold in devotion!
Standing and showering fragrant great flowers,
To the Supreme Lord who tied a hooded serpent around His waist,
To the Supreme Lord who tied a hooded serpent around His waist,
Oh hands, fold in devotion!
ஆக்கை யாற்பயனென்
அரன்கோயில் வலம் வந்து
பூக்கை யாலட்டிப் போற்றி யென்னாத
இவ்வாக்கை யாற்பயனென்
பயன் என்ன
What is the purpose of this body,
If it does not circumambulate Lord Hara's temple,
And praise Him offering flowers with hands?
What is the use of this physical body?
What is the use?
கால்க ளாற்பயனென
கால்க ளாற்பயனென
கறைக் கண்டனுறை கோயில்
கோலக் கோபுரக் கோகர ணஞ்சூழாக்
கால்க ளாற்பயனென
கறைக் கண்டனுறை கோயில்
கோலக் கோபுரக் கோகர ணஞ்சூழாக்
கால்க ளாற்பயனென
What is the purpose of legs,
What is the purpose of legs,
If they do not walk around the temple of the blue-throated Lord,
Encircling the beautiful gopuram and shrine?
What is the purpose of legs,
If they do not walk around the temple of the blue-throated Lord,
Encircling the beautiful gopuram and shrine?
What is the purpose of legs?
உற்றார் ராருளரோ
உற்றார் ராருளரோ
உற்றார் ராருளரோ
உயிர் கொண்டு போம்பொழுது
குற்றாலத்துறை கூத்தனல்லால்
நமக்குற்றார் ஆருளரோ.......
Who are our true relatives?
Who are our true relatives?
Who are our true relatives?
When life leaves the body,
Except for the Cosmic Dancer residing in Kuttralam,
Who else is truly our kin?
Thalaiyae nee vanangaai
Oh head, bow down!
Thalaiyae nee vanangaai
Oh head, bow down!
Thalaimaalai thalaikaninthu
To Him who wears a garland of skulls on His head,
Thalaimaalai thalaikaninthu
To Him who wears a garland of skulls on His head,
Thalaiyaalae palitherun thalaivanai
To the Lord who wanders begging for alms with a skull,
Thalaiyae nee vanangaai
Oh head, bow down!
Kangaal kaan mingaloo
Oh eyes, behold!
Kangaal kaan mingaloo
Oh eyes, behold!
Kadal nanjunda kandandrannai
The Lord whose neck holds the ocean poison,
Endoozh veesi nindraadum piraandrannai
The Lord who dances tossing His eight arms,
Kangaal kaan mingaloo
Oh eyes, behold!
Sevigaazh kaenmingaloo
Oh ears, listen!
Sevigaazh kaenmingaloo
Oh ears, listen!
Sivan emmirai sembhavala
To the glory of Shiva, our Master, whose form shines like red coral,
Eripol maenippiraandriram eppodhum
And shines bright like a burning fire always!
Sevigaazh kaenmingaloo
Oh ears, listen!
Mukkae nee muralaai
Oh nose, hum His praise!
Mudhukaadurai mukkannanai
To the three-eyed Lord residing in the ancient forest,
Vakkae nokkiya mangai manaalanai
The consort of the Goddess who looks upon Him with sweet words,
Mukkae nee muralaai
Oh nose, hum His praise!
Mudhukaadurai mukkannanai
To the three-eyed Lord residing in the ancient forest,
Vakkae nokkiya mangai manaalanai
The consort of the Goddess who looks upon Him with sweet words,
Mukkae nee muralaai
Oh nose, hum His praise!
Vaayae vaazhthu kandaai
Oh mouth, sing praises!
Vaayae vaazhthu kandaai
Oh mouth, sing praises!
Madhayaanai yuriporthu
To Him who clad Himself in the skin of a rutting elephant,
Madhayaanai yuriporthu
To Him who clad Himself in the skin of a rutting elephant,
Peivaazh kattagathodum piraanendrennai
To our Lord who resides in the crematorium where spirits dwell,
Vaayae vaazhthu kandaai
Oh mouth, sing praises!
Nenjae nee ninaiyaai
Oh heart, meditate!
Nenjae nee ninaiyaai
Oh heart, meditate!
Nimir punsadai ninmalanai
Upon the pure Lord with upright matted locks,
Manjaadum malai mangai manaalanai
The consort of the mountain maiden where mist drifts,
Nenjae nee ninaiyaai
Oh heart, meditate!
Nimir punsadai ninmalanai
Upon the pure Lord with upright matted locks,
Manjaadum malai mangai manaalanai
The consort of the mountain maiden where mist drifts,
Nenjae nee ninaiyaai
Oh heart, meditate!
Kaikaal koopithozhir
Oh hands, fold in devotion!
Kaikaal koopithozhir
Oh hands, fold in devotion!
Kadi maamalar thoovi nindru
Standing and showering fragrant great flowers,
Paivaai paambarai yaartha paramanai
To the Supreme Lord who tied a hooded serpent around His waist,
Paivaai paambarai yaartha paramanai
To the Supreme Lord who tied a hooded serpent around His waist,
Kaikaal koopithozhir
Oh hands, fold in devotion!
Aakkai yaarpayanenna
What is the purpose of this body,
Arankoyil valam vanthu
If it does not circumambulate Lord Hara's temple,
Pookkaiyaal atti pottriyennadha
And praise Him offering flowers with hands?
Ivvyakkkai yaarpayanenna
What is the use of this physical body?
Payan ennaa
What is the use?
Kaalgalaarpayanenna
What is the purpose of legs,
Kaalgalaarpayanenna
What is the purpose of legs,
Karai kandanurai koyil
If they do not walk around the temple of the blue-throated Lord,
Kola gopura kokararan soozhaa
Encircling the beautiful gopuram and shrine?
Kaalgalaarpayanenna
What is the purpose of legs,
Karai kandanurai koyil
If they do not walk around the temple of the blue-throated Lord,
Kola gopura kokararan soozhaa
Encircling the beautiful gopuram and shrine?
Kaalgalaarpayanenna
What is the purpose of legs?
Uttraar yaar ularooo
Who are our true relatives?
Uttraar yaar ularooo
Who are our true relatives?
Uttraar yaar ularooo
Who are our true relatives?
Uyir kondu pompozhudhu
When life leaves the body,
Kuttraalathurai koothanallaal
Except for the Cosmic Dancer residing in Kuttralam,
Namakkuttraar yaar ullaroo
Who else is truly our kin?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This sacred hymn, originally composed by Saint Thirunavukkarasar (Appar) as part of the Tevaram ('Thiruvangamaalai'), systematically addresses each organ of the human body—head, eyes, ears, nose, mouth, heart, hands, legs, and the body as a whole—commanding them to dedicate their functions entirely to Lord Shiva. Appar emphasizes that human existence and physical senses are meaningless unless utilized in divine service, such as bowing before Shiva, beholding His form, listening to His legends, singing His praises, and circumambulating His temples. The hymn concludes with a profound spiritual truth regarding impermanence, questioning who among earthly kith and kin will truly accompany the soul when life departs. It reminds the seeker that Lord Shiva, the eternal cosmic dancer of Kuttralam, is the only true relative and refuge in both life and death.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Apostrophe / Personification
“Thalaiyae nee vanangaai”
Directly addressing individual inanimate or physical parts of the body (head, eyes, ears, nose, mouth, heart, hands, legs) as sentient entities capable of devotional acts.
Mukai / Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Thalaimaalai thalaikaninthu”
Repetition of initial letter/consonant sound across line beginnings (e.g., 'Thalaiyae', 'Thalaimaalai', 'Thalaiyaalae').
Rhetorical Question
“Uttraar yaar ularooo”
Using questions not to receive an answer, but to emphasize that without divine devotion, physical limbs and earthly relationships are futile.
Epanalepsis / Adukkuthodar (Refrain Repetition)
“Kaalgalaarpayanenna”
Repeating opening command phrases at the start and end of verses to reinforce spiritual imperative.
Did you know?
Trivia
This composition is part of the famous 'Thiruvangamaalai' (The Garland of Sacred Limbs) from the 6th Tirumurai composed by Saint Thirunavukkarasar (Appar). In the 1967 biographical film 'Sundara Murthy Nayanar', music director S. M. Subbaiah Naidu adapted this classical Tevaram hymn, rendered soulfully by Carnatic legend Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi, making it one of the classic devotional musical pieces in Tamil cinema history.
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