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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thirupathi Venkatesane

From Manjal Mahimai · 1959

Lyricist
Udumalai Narayanakavi
Singer
K. Jamunarani
Music director
Master Venu
Movie name
Manjal Mahimai
Movie release year
1959
Lyrics added on
21 Apr 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Thirupathi venkatesane unna nambi
Irukkira indha dasanae
Thirupathi venkatesane unna nambi
Irukkira indha dasanae
Poruppaana janangal ingae
Punniyam theda vaaranga
Poruppaana janangal ingae
Punniyam theda vaaranga
Pusikkavam naanga ketta
Podaannnuttu poranga
Thirupathi venkatesane unna nambi
Irukkira indha dasanae
Karattu kallu paadhaiyirukku
Cement road pottanga
Kaalaala nadanthavangala
Caaril yera senjaanga
Varapoga elllarukkum
Vasathiyaakki vechaanga
Vaangi thinnum pichaikkaran
Vavuthil mannai pottanga
Thirupathi venkatesane unna nambi
Irukkira indha dasanae
Pongal puliyotharai vadai laddu
Seedai boondhi dosai adhirasamum pattu
Pongal puliyotharai vadai laddu
Thingaatha un peralae senju padaichu puttu
Dhinamum evan evano yeppam pottaan thinnu puttu
Unakkum illa enakkum illaiyae
Ketpadharkku oorukullae yaarum illaiyae
Govindha govindha govindha
Ulladhu podhadhunnu
Undiyalil panatha pottu
Osandha panam vendi
Varatha ketkkala naanga
Oru jaanu vayithukkaan unava thavira vera
Onnumae adhigamaaga ninaikkalae
Porulai kettaaal adikka vaaranga
Pichaiyeduthaa police vanil pudikka vaaranga
Thirupathi venkatesane unna nambi
Irukkira indha dasanae
Thiruttu poruttu kuruttum seidhu
Thirupanigal nadathi veithu
Seeman endrae kaatikiravan osandhuttaan
Thillum mullum seiyaamalum
Thirunaamam solli solli
Jeevanam pannugiravan asanthuttaan
Selvan ezhai ilamale seidhidu
Manasu sirusu perusu paagupattai kuraithidu
Tharisanam ellarukkum sarisamamaai koduthidu
Deivam nee endra peyarai desathil nilai naattidu
Sitham vayitha pattini podathae
Pasiyaadha vayaiythil paalum sotha adaithu vidathae
Thirupathi venkatesane unna nambi
Irukkira indha dasanae
O Venkateswara of Tirupati, placing my faith in you,
here stands this humble devotee of yours.
O Venkateswara of Tirupati, placing my faith in you,
here stands this humble devotee of yours.
Respectable people come here
seeking to earn holy merit.
Respectable people come here
seeking to earn holy merit.
Yet if we ask for a bit of food to eat,
they just tell us to get lost and walk away.
O Venkateswara of Tirupati, placing my faith in you,
here stands this humble devotee of yours.
Where once there was a rough, rocky path,
they have laid smooth cement roads.
Those who used to walk on foot
are now riding up in cars.
For everyone coming and going,
they made everything so comfortable.
But for the beggar who lives by begging,
they have thrown dust into his empty stomach!
O Venkateswara of Tirupati, placing my faith in you,
here stands this humble devotee of yours.
Pongal, tamarind rice, vada, and laddu,
seedai, boondi, dosa, and sweet adhirasam—
Pongal, tamarind rice, vada, and laddu,
they prepare and offer all this in the name of you, who never eats,
and every day, all kinds of people gorge on it and burp!
None of it reaches you, and none comes to me;
there is nobody in this town to question it!
Govinda! Govinda! Govinda!
Thinking what they have is never enough,
they drop money into the temple offering box,
and pray for even greater wealth;
we never ask for such greedy boons!
Except for a little food to fill this small belly,
we never ask for anything more.
If we ask for help, they come to beat us;
if we beg, police vans come to lock us away!
O Venkateswara of Tirupati, placing my faith in you,
here stands this humble devotee of yours.
By stealing, cheating, and doing shady deeds,
and sponsoring grand temple works,
the one posing as a wealthy patron has risen high.
Without any deceit or crooked tricks,
simply chanting your holy name over and over,
the one trying to make an honest living is worn out.
Do away with the divide between the rich and the poor!
Wipe away the narrowness and prejudice in human minds!
Grant your holy sight equally to all!
Prove to the whole land that you are the true God!
Do not leave an aching, hungry belly to starve,
nor stuff milk and rice into bellies that feel no hunger!
O Venkateswara of Tirupati, placing my faith in you,
here stands this humble devotee of yours.
Female
Female
Female
Female
Male
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Written by Udumalai Narayanakavi, 'Thirupathi Venkatesane' is a powerful socio-political satire disguised as a street beggar's devotional plea. Addressing Lord Venkateswara of Tirupati, the singer highlights the harsh disparities created by society and religious institutions. While infrastructure improves to suit wealthy pilgrims traveling in cars and money flows into temple collection boxes from rich donors seeking further wealth, the destitute begging for basic sustenance are met with violence and police arrest.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyming)

“Thirupathi venkatesane unna nambi / Irukkira indha dasanae”

Standard Tamil poetic meter where the second letter of consecutive lines rhymes (e.g., 'Thirupathi' and 'Irukkira', or 'Poruppaana' and 'Punniyam').

Moonaiz (First-letter Alliteration)

“Pongal puliyotharai vadai laddu”

Alliteration of initial consonant sounds across words in a phrase, such as 'Pongal puliyotharai'.

Idiomatic Metaphor (உருவகம்)

“Vaangi thinnum pichaikkaran / Vavuthil mannai pottanga”

The idiom 'Vavuthil mannai pottanga' (poured sand into the stomach) metaphorically signifies destroying a poor person's livelihood and means of survival.

Irony and Social Satire

“Thingaatha un peralae senju padaichu puttu / Dhinamum evan evano yeppam pottaan thinnu puttu”

Contrasting lavish, untouched food offerings dedicated to a deity who does not eat, consumed by wealthy middlemen, against starving devotees.

Did you know?

Trivia

Udumalai Narayanakavi, popularly known as 'Kavirayar', was a prominent Dravidian movement reformist lyricist who frequently used cinema songs to voice rationalist ideas, anti-caste philosophy, and social critique. This song from Manjal Mahimai (1959) uses street-folk idiom to attack temple commercialization and class division.

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