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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thirupugazhai Paada Paada

From Gowri Kalyanam · 1966

Lyricist
Poovai Senguttavan
Singers
P. Suseela, Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Gowri Kalyanam1966

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Thiruppugazhai paada paadaAs one sings Thiruppugazh again and again,
Vaai manakkumThe mouth becomes fragrant.
Thiruppugazhai paada paadaAs one sings Thiruppugazh again and again,
Vaai manakkumThe mouth becomes fragrant.
Edhirppugalai murugaa un vael thadukkumOh Muruga, your spear blocks all obstacles.
Female
Thiruppugazhai paada paadaAs one sings Thiruppugazh again and again,
Vaai manakkumThe mouth becomes fragrant.
Edhirppugalai murugaa un vael thadukkumOh Muruga, your spear blocks all obstacles.
Vael thadukkum murugaa vael thadukkumYour spear blocks, Oh Muruga, your spear blocks.
Female
Nee kodutha thamizh allavaaIs it not the Tamil language bestowed by you
Pugazh eduthadhu andhaThat attained grand fame, and
Thamizh kodutha arivallavaa thalai sirandhadhuIs it not the wisdom granted by Tamil that became supreme?
Murugaa…. murugaa….aa…aa…aa..Oh Muruga... Oh Muruga... aa... aa... aa...
Murugaa…aa…aa.a.,..Oh Muruga... aa... aa...
Female
Nee kodutha thamizh allavaaIs it not the Tamil language bestowed by you
Pugazh eduthadhu andhaThat attained grand fame, and
Thamizh kodutha arivallavaa thalai sirandhadhuIs it not the wisdom granted by Tamil that became supreme?
Female
Nee siritha piragallavaaWas it not after you smiled
Sirippu vandhadhuThat true joy and laughter arrived?
Nee siritha piragallavaaWas it not after you smiled
Sirippu vandhadhuThat true joy and laughter arrived?
Un ninaivirukkum manamallavaa perumai kondadhuIs it not the heart that remembers you that attained glory?
Female
Sandhanathil niram eduthadhaalBy adopting the rich color of sandalwood,
Azhagan aanavanHe became the epitome of beauty;
Saravanathil uruveduthadhaalBy taking form in Saravana Lake,
Vaedham aanavanHe became the divine Veda itself.
Murugaa…. murugaa….aa….Oh Muruga... Oh Muruga... aa...
Murugaa….aa…. a a a….Oh Muruga... aa... a a a...
A a a…. a a a…. a a a….A a a... a a a... a a a...
Female
Sandhanathil niram eduthadhaalBy adopting the rich color of sandalwood,
Azhagan aanavanHe became the epitome of beauty;
Saravanathil uruveduthadhaalBy taking form in Saravana Lake,
Vaedham aanavanHe became the divine Veda itself.
Female
Kandhan ennum paer eduthadhaalBy taking the sacred name Kandhan,
KarunaiyaanavanHe became the embodiment of compassion;
Kandhan ennum paer eduthadhaalBy taking the sacred name Kandhan,
KarunaiyaanavanHe became the embodiment of compassion;
Andha karunaiyinaal thondarukkumThrough that boundless compassion, to his devotees,
ThondanaanavanHe became a humble servant himself.
Andha karunaiyinaal thondarukkumThrough that boundless compassion, to his devotees,
Thondanaanavan….He became a humble servant himself.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This devotional track from Gowri Kalyanam glorifies Lord Murugan, praising the divine sweetness of singing Thiruppugazh. The song highlights how chanting his praises fills one's speech with fragrance and how Murugan's sacred spear (Vel) protects believers against all forms of opposition and hardship. It acknowledges Murugan as the source of Tamil language and human wisdom, stating that true happiness and dignity stem from remembering him. The lyrics further celebrate Murugan's radiant appearance, comparing his complex complexion to sandalwood and his origin in Saravana Lake to the incarnation of Vedas. Known as Kandhan, his infinite grace and mercy are depicted as so profound that he becomes a humble servant to those who genuinely surrender to him.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Adukkuthodar (Repetition for Emphasis)

Thiruppugazhai paada paada

The phrase 'paada paada' repeats the verb to emphasize continuous, repeated chanting of the divine hymns.

Edhukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Saravanathil uruveduthadhaal / Kandhan ennum paer eduthadhaal

The second consonant 'ru' in Saravanathil and 'n' sound alignment in Kandhan/Sandhanathil establish subtle Tamil poetic harmony.

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Sandhanathil niram eduthadhaal Azhagan aanavan

Attributing the golden-brown shade of sandalwood directly to Murugan's physical charm and divine beauty.

Paradox / Divine Humility

Andha karunaiyinaal thondarukkum Thondanaanavan

The supreme deity Lord Murugan becoming a servant ('Thondan') to his own devotees due to his immense grace.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song references 'Thiruppugazh', a celebrated 15th-century Tamil musical hymn composed by Arunagirinathar in praise of Lord Murugan. The lyrics pay homage to the traditional belief that Lord Murugan is the patron deity and creator of the Tamil language.

Keep listening

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