Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thanjam Nee Gadhiyae

From Ashok Kumar · 1941

Lyricist
Udumalai Narayanakavi
Singer
M. K. Thiyagaraja Bagavathar
Music director
Alandur Sivasubramaniyam
Details
Ashok Kumar1941

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics↻ English translation
Male
Thanjam nee gadhiyaeYou are my refuge and ultimate destiny
Anjael ena abhayam arul nidhiyaeOh treasure of grace, grant me protection saying 'do not fear'
Thanjam nee gadhiyaeYou are my refuge and ultimate destiny
Anjael ena abhayam arul nidhiyaeOh treasure of grace, grant me protection saying 'do not fear'
Thanjam nee gadhiyaeYou are my refuge and ultimate destiny
Male
Panjamaa paadhagham pala purindhenaeI have committed the five cardinal sins and many misdeeds
Panjamaa paadhagham pala purindhenaeI have committed the five cardinal sins and many misdeeds
Paavi naan yaen pirandhen puvi meedhaeWhy was a sinner like me born upon this earth?
Paavi naan yaen pirandhenWhy was a sinner like me born?
Saran pugundhenI have surrendered at your sanctuary
Male
Thanjam nee gadhiyaeYou are my refuge and ultimate destiny
Anjael ena abhayam arul nidhiyaeOh treasure of grace, grant me protection saying 'do not fear'
Thanjam nee gadhiyaeYou are my refuge and ultimate destiny
Male
Meeriya kaamathil varaiyarai meeri…Transgressing all limits due to overwhelming desire...
Ee…eee…Ee...eee...
Meeriya kaamathil varaiyarai meeriTransgressing all limits due to overwhelming desire
Mirandu seidhen ellaam madhi thadumaariPanicked and confused, I committed all these as my mind faltered
Mirandu seidhen ellaam madhi thadumaariPanicked and confused, I committed all these as my mind faltered
En madhi thadumaariMy mind faltered
En madhi thadumaariMy mind faltered
Male
Maru endhan piraviyilagilum aadhariSupport me at least in my next birth
Maru endhan piraviyilagilum aadhariSupport me at least in my next birth
Manam pol vaazhvu thandhae nee ubasariTreat me kindly by granting a life that satisfies my heart
Manam pol vaazhvu thandhae nee ubasariTreat me kindly by granting a life that satisfies my heart
Male
Thanjam nee gadhiyaeYou are my refuge and ultimate destiny
Anjael yena abhayam arul nidhiyaeOh treasure of grace, grant me protection saying 'do not fear'
Thanjam nee gadhiyaeYou are my refuge and ultimate destiny
Thanjam nee gadhiyaeYou are my refuge and ultimate destiny

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a deeply emotional prayer of repentance and surrender. The character laments their past misdeeds and sins committed due to uncontrolled desires and a confused mind. Burdened by guilt, the protagonist questions the purpose of their existence on earth and turns to the Divine as the sole refuge. The speaker pleads for mercy, requesting solace, emotional liberation, and spiritual protection both in this life and in the life to come.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Moonaai (Initial Alliteration)

“Panjamaa paadhagham pala purindhenae”

Repetition of initial consonant sound 'P' in words across the line.

Etukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

“Thanjam nee gadhiyae / Anjael ena abhayam arul nidhiyae”

Consonance of the second letter 'nja' in 'Thanjam' and 'Anjael'.

Rhetorical Question (Vinaa Ani)

“Paavi naan yaen pirandhen puvi meedhae”

The speaker asks a sorrowful rhetorical question about their birth to express extreme remorse.

Anaphora (Repetition for Emphasis)

“Thanjam nee gadhiyae”

The refrain 'Thanjam nee gadhiyae' is repeated multiple times to emphasize utter surrender.

Did you know?

Trivia

Ashok Kumar (1941) is a landmark Tamil historical film starring M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar (MKT). Written by Udumalai Narayanakavi, this song exemplifies the emotional penitential songs popular in early Tamil cinema, rendered in MKT's signature high-pitched Carnatic vocal style.

Keep listening

More from Ashok Kumar