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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Then Madurai Veethiyile Oorvalam

From Anbukkor Annan · 1971

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, Seerkazhi Govindarajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Anbukkor Annan1971

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Thenmadurai veedhiyilae oorvalam ponaalShe goes on a procession through the streets of South Madurai,
Annan thirumaal azhaiththu vara kanmani meenaalWith her elder brother, Lord Vishnu, bringing the beloved Goddess Meenakshi.
Thenmadurai veedhiyilae oorvalam ponaalShe goes on a procession through the streets of South Madurai,
Annan thirumaal azhaiththu vara kanmani meenaalWith her elder brother, Lord Vishnu, bringing the beloved Goddess Meenakshi.
Male
Pon malaraam thamaraiyai killi eduththaanHe plucked the golden lotus flower,
Aa….aa….aa….aa….aaa….aa…aa….aa….Aa....aa....aa....aa....aaa....aa...aa....aa....
Pon malaraam thamaraiyai killi eduththaanHe plucked the golden lotus flower,
Poongaraththai naayaganin kaiyil koduththaanAnd placed her soft hand into the groom's hand.
Male
Pothigal malai santhanaththi poosi muththaanKissing her while smearing sandalwood from the Podhigai mountains,
Pongi varum vaigaiyena thangai nadanthaalThe sister walked like the overflowing Vaigai river.
Pothigal malai santhanaththi poosi muththaanKissing her while smearing sandalwood from the Podhigai mountains,
Pongi varum vaigaiyena thangai nadanthaalThe sister walked like the overflowing Vaigai river.
Chorus
Thenmadurai veedhiyilae oorvalam ponaalShe goes on a procession through the streets of South Madurai,
Annan thirumaal azhaiththu vara kanmani meenaalWith her elder brother, Lord Vishnu, bringing the beloved Goddess Meenakshi.
Male
Aanimuththu maalaigalai seedhanam thanthaanHe gave necklaces of flawless pearls as dowry,
Aa….aa….aa….aa….aaa….aa…aa….aa….Aa....aa....aa....aa....aaa....aa...aa....aa....
Annamena thulli varum thozhigal thanthaanHe presented companion maidens who prance like swans,
Maanikaththil mookkuththiyum seithu koduththaanHe had a nose-stud crafted out of rubies and gave it,
Aa….aa….aa….aa….aaa….aa…aa….aa….Aa....aa....aa....aa....aaa....aa...aa....aa....
Mannanudan thangaithanai saerththu mudiththaanHe united and gave his sister in marriage to the king.
Male
Sokkanukku maiththunano oruvan irunthaanOnly Lord Shiva (Sokkan) had such a noble brother-in-law,
Sonthamudan iruvar ingae vanthu piranthaarThe two were born here bound by divine kinship.
Aa….aa….aa….aa….aaa….aa…aa….aa….Aa....aa....aa....aa....aaa....aa...aa....aa....
Sokkanukku maiththunano oruvan irunthaanOnly Lord Shiva (Sokkan) had such a noble brother-in-law,
Sonthamudan iruvar ingae vanthu piranthaarThe two were born here bound by divine kinship.
Male
Thenmadurai veedhiyilae oorvalam ponaalShe goes on a procession through the streets of South Madurai,
Annan thirumaal azhaiththu vara kanmani meenaalWith her elder brother, Lord Vishnu, bringing the beloved Goddess Meenakshi.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic song draws a sublime mythological analogy between human sibling love and the divine bond shared between Lord Vishnu (Azhagar) and Goddess Meenakshi. Set against the vibrant cultural backdrop of Madurai, it describes an elder brother taking ultimate pride and tender care in arranging his beloved sister's grand wedding, adorning her with fine jewels, and giving her hand to the king.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Upamai (Simile)

Pongi varum vaigaiyena thangai nadanthaal

Compares the sister's graceful walk to the surging flow of the Vaigai river using the comparative marker 'ena'.

Upamai (Simile)

Annamena thulli varum thozhigal thanthaan

Compares the lively, hopping companions of the bride to swan birds using 'ena'.

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Poongaraththai naayaganin kaiyil koduththaan

Metaphorically addresses the sister's soft hand as a tender flower hand ('Poongaram').

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Pon malaraam thamaraiyai... / Poongaraththai naayaganin...

Rhyming of the second consonant sound 'n' in 'Pon' and 'Poo'.

Did you know?

Trivia

The lyrics directly mirror the grand Chithirai Thiruvizha festival of Madurai, which celebrates the celestial wedding of Goddess Meenakshi to Lord Sundareswarar (Sokkanathan) and the journey of Lord Kallazhagar (her brother Vishnu) coming to hand her over.

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