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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ulakellaam Un Arulaal Malarum

From Tenali Raman · 1956

Lyricist
M. K. Aathmanathan
Singer
P. Leela
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Details
Tenali Raman1956

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Siva bavani kalyani gowri kaali siva priyaSiva, Bhavani, Kalyani, Gowri, Kaali, Beloved of Lord Shiva,
Kaarthiyaayini mahadevi kaamatchi kamalapriyaaKaarthiyayini, Mahadevi, Kamakshi, Lover of the Lotus bloom.
Female
Ulagellaam unadharulaal malarumThe entire world blossoms through your divine grace,
Ulagellaam unadharulaal malarumThe entire world blossoms through your divine grace.
Krupakariyae maheswariyaeO Merciful Goddess! O Supreme Empress Maheshwari!
Uyirellaam unadhanbaal magizhum thaayaeO Mother, in whose love every living soul rejoices!
Ulagellaam unadharulaal malarumThe entire world blossoms through your divine grace.
Female
Nalamae ninaindhavar vaazhvinil naalumDaily in the lives of those who harbor good thoughts,
Nalamae ninaindhavar vaazhvinil naalumDaily in the lives of those who harbor good thoughts,
Thunaiyaai nee vara venumYou must come and stand as their supporting companion.
Nalloor nenjenum aalayam thanilaeWithin the temple that is the heart of good-natured people,
Nalloor nenjenum aalayam thanilaeWithin the temple that is the heart of good-natured people,
Nadanam aadum deviO Goddess who performs her divine dance,
Karunai seidhida venumYou must shower your mercy upon us.
Krupakariyae maheswariyaeO Merciful Goddess! O Supreme Empress Maheshwari!
Uyirellaam unadhanbaal magizhum thaayaeO Mother, in whose love every living soul rejoices!
Ulagellaam unadharulaal malarumThe entire world blossoms through your divine grace.
Female
Ezhaigal thuyaram neekkum thaayaeO Mother who dispels the sorrows of the poor,
Igapara sugam tharuvaayaeBestow upon us happiness in this world and the world beyond,
Inbamellaam arulvaayaeGrant us all forms of joy and bliss.
Female
Ezhaigal thuyaram neekkum thaayaeO Mother who dispels the sorrows of the poor,
Igapara sugam tharuvaayaeBestow upon us happiness in this world and the world beyond,
Inbamellaam arulvaayaeGrant us all forms of joy and bliss.
Vazhvil naanae…undhan sevaiyaeIn my life, I... dedicated to your service,
Marandhariyaen maayaeHave never forgotten you, O Divine Mother!
Karunai seidhiduvaayaePlease grant your benevolent mercy.
Krupakariyae maheswariyaeO Merciful Goddess! O Supreme Empress Maheshwari!
Uyirellaam unadhanbaal magizhum… thaayaeO Mother, in whose love every living soul rejoices!
Ulagellaam unadharulaal malarumThe entire world blossoms through your divine grace.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This devotional hymn from the 1956 film Tenali Raman is a veneration of the Divine Mother Goddess, invoking her by her sacred epithets such as Kalyani, Gowri, Kaali, and Kamakshi. The song expresses that the entire universe flourishes solely due to her divine grace, and every soul finds true joy under her loving care. The lyrics present a humble prayer asking the Goddess to dwell within the pure hearts of good people as if their minds were her sacred temple.\n\nThe devotee surrenders fully to the Divine Mother, hailing her as the supreme protector who removes poverty and suffering. She prays for both worldly and spiritual well-being (Igapara sugam) and pledges lifetime devotion to her divine service, seeking her infinite mercy and blessings.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Refrain / Repetition

Ulagellaam unadharulaal malarum

The line 'Ulagellaam unadharulaal malarum' acts as a recurring chorus reinforcing the central theme that creation blossoms through divine grace.

Metaphor (Uruvam)

Nalloor nenjenum aalayam thanilae

The phrase compares the pure hearts of noble individuals directly to a temple ('aalayam').

Epithet / Enumeration

Siva bavani kalyani gowri kaali siva priya

Accumulation of sacred names of the Goddess (Siva, Bhavani, Kalyani, Gowri, Kaali, Kaarthiyayini, Mahadevi, Kamakshi) to invoke her presence.

Rhyme / Assonance (Iyaibu & Edhugai)

Ezhaigal thuyaram neekkum thaayae / Igapara sugam tharuvaayae / Inbamellaam arulvaayae

End-rhyming with 'aaye' across consecutive lines (thaaye, tharuvaayae, arulvaayae) creating a melodious devotional rhythm.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by the duo Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy and rendered effortlessly by P. Leela, this song is a celebrated classical-style devotional track from the historical movie Tenali Raman (1956), which featured Sivaji Ganesan and N. T. Rama Rao.

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