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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thandaiyani Vendai

From Arunagirinathar · 1964

Lyricist
Arunagirinathar
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Details
Arunagirinathar1964

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Thandaiyani vendaiyangkinkini sathangaiyumWith the anklets, ornamental bands, tinkling bells, and sathangai,
Than kazhal silambudan konjavaeLisping sweetly along with the anklets on Your holy feet,
Thandaiyani vendaiyangkinkini sathangaiyumWith the anklets, ornamental bands, tinkling bells, and sathangai,
Than kazhal silambudan konjavaeLisping sweetly along with the anklets on Your holy feet,
Nin thandhaiyinai mun parindhu inbavuri kondu nanJust as Lord Shiva compassionately embraced You with great joy,
Sandhodam anaindhu nindra anbu polaeStanding in deep love and affection,
Male
Kandura kadambudan sandha magudangalumAdorned with fragrant kadamba garlands and beautiful crowns,
Kanja malar sengaiyum sindhu velumWith lotus-like reddish hands holding the ocean-like spear (Vel),
Kangalum mugangalum chandira nirangalumYour eyes, divine faces, and cool moon-like radiant colors,
Kann kulira endran munn sandhiyavoWill they appear before me to grant cool relief to my eyes?
Male
Thandaiyani vendaiyangkinkini sathangaiyumWith the anklets, ornamental bands, tinkling bells, and sathangai,
Than kazhal silambudan konjavaeLisping sweetly along with the anklets on Your holy feet,
Male
Pundarigar andamum konda bagirandamumWhen the universe of Brahma and the vast macrocosm,
Pongi ezha vengalam konda podhuSurged up in commotion during times of cosmic battle,
Ponn kiri ena sirandhu enginum valarndhu munnStanding supreme like a golden mountain everywhere,
Pundarigar thandhaiyum sindhai kooraBringing intense delight to the heart of Lord Brahma,
Male
Pundarigar andamum konda bagirandamumWhen the universe of Brahma and the vast macrocosm,
Pongi ezha vengalam konda podhuSurged up in commotion during times of cosmic battle,
Ponn kiri ena sirandhu enginum valarndhu munnStanding supreme like a golden mountain everywhere,
Pundarigar thandhaiyum sindhai kooraBringing intense delight to the heart of Lord Brahma,
Male
Konda nadanam padhamYour divine dancing feet,
Sendhililum endran munnWill they manifest before me here in Tiruchendur,
Konji nadanam kolum kandhavelaeO Lord Kandha who dances with endearing charm!
Kongai kura mangaiyin sandha manam undidumYou who relish the fragrant sandal scent of Valli, the Kurava maiden,
Kumbamuni kumbidum thambiraanaeO Supreme Lord who is devoutly worshipped by Sage Agastya!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This divine hymn, drawn from Arunagirinathar's revered Thiruppugazh anthology and featured in the 1964 movie Arunagirinathar, is a passionate plea for a direct vision (darshan) of Lord Murugan. The poet vividly describes the auditory and visual grandeur of Murugan's holy feet adorned with chiming anklets, his six radiant moon-like faces, his lotus hands holding the sacred Vel, and his fragrant kadamba garlands. Arunagirinathar recalls how even Lord Shiva embraced Murugan with immense fatherly love and how Murugan's cosmic form brought awe to Lord Brahma. The verse culminates in a sincere devotional longing: the poet asks whether Lord Murugan—who dances melodiously at Tiruchendur, who enjoys the divine company of Valli, and who is venerated by Sage Agastya (Kumbamuni)—will grant him the eternal blessing of appearing before his eyes to cool his spiritual thirst.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Sandham (Rhythmic Meter / Chandas)

Thandaiyani vendaiyangkinkini sathangaiyum

The verse relies on Thiruppugazh's characteristic complex rhythmic structure driven by repeating beat patterns (Ta-na-na Ta-na-na rhythm).

Metaphor (Uvamai / Simile)

Ponn kiri ena sirandhu enginum valarndhu munn

Comparing Murugan's glorious manifestation to a rising golden mountain ('Ponn kiri ena').

Auditory & Visual Imagery

Kangalum mugangalum chandira nirangalum

Rich sensory depiction linking musical sounds of anklets ('kinkini', 'sathangai') with vivid visual motifs like lotus hands ('Kanja malar sengai') and moonlike luster ('chandira nirangalum').

Second-letter Rhyme (Edhukai)

Pundarigar andamum konda bagirandamum

Repetition of consonantal sounds in the second letter ('nd' sound across 'Thandai', 'Pundarigar', 'Sendhililum').

Did you know?

Trivia

This composition is a iconic gem from Thiruppugazh composed by saint-poet Arunagirinathar in the 15th century. In the 1964 biographical film 'Arunagirinathar', legendary singer T. M. Soundararajan delivered a powerful rendition set to music by G. Ramanathan, popularizing Thiruppugazh songs in mainstream South Indian cinema.

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