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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thanga Thamarai Thiruve

From Thunai Iruppal Meenakshi · 1977

Lyricist
Panchu Arunachalam
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Thunai Iruppal Meenakshi1977

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Thanga thaamarai thiruvae kaigalaeO holy hands holding the sacred golden lotus,
Mandalangal engumAcross all the realms and universe,
Othum nindrarulum eeswariyaeO Goddess who stands bestowing grace amidst chanting,
Maamadhurai meenaatchi ammaiyaeO Mother Meenakshi of the great city of Madurai,
Neeyae thunaiyaagi nidru ratchiStand by me as my divine support and protect me,
Angaiyar kan thaayae saranam… saranam…O Mother with fish-like eyes (Angayarkanni), I surrender... I surrender...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This devotional song is a passionate prayer addressed to Goddess Meenakshi of Madurai. The devotee praises her divine beauty, her cosmic presence spanning across realms, and her benevolent nature as she listens to prayers and showers grace. By addressing her sacred attributes, such as her lotus-like hands and fish-shaped eyes (Angayarkanni), the singer seeks her ultimate protection and surrenders entirely at her lotus feet, asking her to be a steadfast guardian through life.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Thanga thaamarai thiruvae kaigalae

Comparing the holy hands of the Goddess to a pure golden lotus ('Thanga thaamarai').

Alliteration (Monai)

Maamadhurai meenaatchi ammaiyae

Repetition of the 'M' consonant sound in 'Maamadhurai' and 'Meenaatchi', giving a euphonic flow.

Classical Epithet (Anmoli Thogai)

Angaiyar kan thaayae saranam… saranam…

The usage of 'Angaiyar kan' (Angayarkanni), a classical Tamil epithet meaning 'the mother with beautiful, fish-shaped eyes'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although listed with unknown metadata in some archives, 'Thunai Iruppal Meenakshi' (1977) featured music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics written by his frequent collaborator Panchu Arunachalam, who played a key role in launching Ilaiyaraaja's film career.

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