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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thavam Purindhen

From Poompuhar · 1964

Lyricist
Aalangudi Somu
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
R. Sudharsanam
Details
Poompuhar1964

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Iraivaa… iraivaa iraivaa aa… aa…Oh God... Oh God, Oh God... Ah... Ah...
Female
Thavam purindhaen naan irukkaWhile I am here performing penance
Varam tharavae nee irukkaWhile you are here to grant boons
Yen indha mayakkam yen indha thayakkamWhy this confusion, why this hesitation?
Ezhaikkarul tharavaeTo bestow grace upon this poor soul
Female
Thavam purindhaen naan irukkaWhile I am here performing penance
Varam tharavae nee irukkaWhile you are here to grant boons
Yen indha mayakkam yen indha thayakkamWhy this confusion, why this hesitation?
Ezhaikkarul tharavaeTo bestow grace upon this poor soul
Female
Idhayathai anbaal alangarithuHaving decorated my heart with love
Iru vizhi vaasal thirandhu vaithaeKeeping the doorway of my eyes open
Idhayathai anbaal alangarithuHaving decorated my heart with love
Iru vizhi vaasal thirandhu vaithaeKeeping the doorway of my eyes open
Iraivaa unakku azhaippu vittenOh God, I sent an invitation to you
Iraivaa unakku azhaippu vittenOh God, I sent an invitation to you
Indrae vandhaai pizhaithu vittenYou came today, and I am saved
Indrae vandhaai pizhaithu vittenYou came today, and I am saved
Female
Kungumathil niram eduthuTaking the color from the sacred kumkum
Kodi nilaa oli eduthuTaking the light of ten million moons
Kungumathil niram eduthuTaking the color from the sacred kumkum
Kodi nilaa oli eduthuTaking the light of ten million moons
Kaathirundhaen kaathirundhaenI waited, I waited
Kadavulai paarthirundhaenI kept gazing at God
Female
Thavam purindhaen naan irukkaWhile I am here performing penance
Varam tharavae nee irukkaWhile you are here to grant boons
Yen indha mayakkam yen indha thayakkamWhy this confusion, why this hesitation?
Ezhaikkarul tharavaeTo bestow grace upon this poor soul
Female
Karunai ulla undhan ullamIs your merciful heart
Kaniyavillaiyaa…Not softening yet?
Kanneerin perumai innum puriyavillaiyaa…Do you still not understand the worth of my tears?
Unnadiyai naan vananga urimai illaiyaa…Do I not have the right to worship at your feet?
Naan uyir vaazhum kaaranamaeThe very reason why I am alive
Theriyavillaiyaa… theriyavillaiyaa…Do you not know... do you not know?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Thavam Purindhaen Naan Irukka' from the 1964 film Poompuhar is a deeply poignant devotional plea expressing total surrender and longing for divine grace. The protagonist describes decorating their heart with pure love and waiting expectantly with eyes wide open for the Almighty. The devotee questions why the Lord hesitates to bestow boons upon a humble seeker who has undergone sincere penance. As the song progresses, the emotional intensity rises through a series of rhetorical questions regarding whether God understands the value of a devotee's tearful prayers and devotion. It underscores themes of devotion (Bhakti), spiritual longing, and divine compassion, framing the seeker's entire existence around the yearning for God's grace.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Thavam purindhaen naan irukka / Varam tharavae nee irukka

Rhyming of the second letter in consecutive lines: 'Thavam' and 'Varam' share the 'va' sound.

Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

Iru vizhi vaasal thirandhu vaithae

'Iru vizhi vaasal' compares the two eyes to open doorways welcoming the divine.

Monai (Alliteration)

Kungumathil niram eduthu / Kodi nilaa oli eduthu / Kaathirundhaen kaathirundhaen / Kadavulai paarthirundhaen

Repetition of the initial sound 'Ka' across lines ('Kungumathil', 'Kodi', 'Kaathirundhaen', 'Kadavulai').

Repetition / Anaphora (Anuttaip Porul)

Theriyavillaiyaa… theriyavillaiyaa…

Repetition of words like 'Kaathirundhaen' and 'Theriyavillaiyaa' to intensify emotional plea.

Rhetorical Questions (Vinaa Aani)

Kanneerin perumai innum puriyavillaiyaa…

Series of dramatic questions questioning divine silence to heighten anguish and devotion.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Poompuhar' (1964) is an iconic Tamil cinema adaptation of the ancient Tamil literary epic 'Silappatikaram' written by Ilango Adigal. The film featured a powerful screenplay written by former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M. Karunanidhi, and memorable music composed by R. Sudarsanam, with lyrics penned by Aalangudi Somu.

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