- Lyricist
- M. K. Aathmanathan
- Singer
- P. Leela
- Music director
- Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
- Movie name
- Tenali Raman
- Movie release year
- 1956
- Lyrics added on
- 12 Apr 2025
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
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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