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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Umaiyavale Mariyamma

From Ananda Bhairavi · 1978

Lyricist
Thavaseelan
Singer
Varalakshmi
Music director
R. Ramanujam
Details
Ananda Bhairavi1978

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Umaiyavalae maariyammaaO Goddess Mariyamma, who is an aspect of Uma!
Varam tharuvaai maariyamaaPlease grant us blessings, O Mariyamma!
Female
Umaiyavalae maariyammaaO Goddess Mariyamma, who is an aspect of Uma!
Varam tharuvaai maariyamaaPlease grant us blessings, O Mariyamma!
Vizhimalar thannai unthanPlacing my flower-like eyes
Padhangalil vaiththae indruAt your divine feet today,
Sannathi saran adainthaen…..I have surrendered at your sacred sanctuary...
Female
Umaiyavalae maariyammaaO Goddess Mariyamma, who is an aspect of Uma!
Female
Aanantha ragangal aval paadavaeWhile she sang joyous ragas,
Antha kalaththil vedhangal edharkkaagavoWhy were the ancient Vedas even created back then?
Aanantha ragangal aval paadavaeWhile she sang joyous ragas,
Antha kalaththil vedhangal edharkkaagavoWhy were the ancient Vedas even created back then?
Female
Manakkolam magal kaana vidhiththaayammaaYou ordained that my daughter be seen in bridal attire, O Mother,
Manakkolam magal kaana vidhiththaayammaaYou ordained that my daughter be seen in bridal attire, O Mother,
Intha thirukkolam edharkkaaga koduththaayamma ammaaWhy did you grant her this unfortunate plight instead, O Mother?
Female
Umaiyavalae maariyammaaO Goddess Mariyamma, who is an aspect of Uma!
Varam tharuvaai maariyamaaPlease grant us blessings, O Mariyamma!
Female
Ponnodu porul kettu varavillaiyaeI did not come seeking gold or material wealth,
Enthan penn vaazh unaiyandri thunaiyillaiyaeMy daughter's life has no refuge other than you,
Ponnodu porul kettu varavillaiyaeI did not come seeking gold or material wealth,
Enthan penn vaazh unaiyandri thunaiyillaiyaeMy daughter's life has no refuge other than you,
Female
Oru pothu sivanodu umaiyaaginaaiAt one time, you united with Lord Shiva as Goddess Uma,
Oru pothu sivanodu umaiyaaginaaiAt one time, you united with Lord Shiva as Goddess Uma,
Enthan magal vaazhvil mattum kadhai maattrinaai ammaaWhy did you alter the story only in my daughter's life, O Mother?
Female
Umaiyavalae maariyammaaO Goddess Mariyamma, who is an aspect of Uma!
Varam tharuvaai maariyamaaPlease grant us blessings, O Mariyamma!
Vizhimalar thannai unthanPlacing my flower-like eyes
Padhangalil vaiththae indruAt your divine feet today,
Sannathi saran adainthaen…..I have surrendered at your sacred sanctuary...
Female
Umaiyavalae maariyammaaO Goddess Mariyamma, who is an aspect of Uma!
Varam tharuvaai maariyamaaPlease grant us blessings, O Mariyamma!
Maariyammaa…..maariyammaa…..maariyammaaO Mariyamma... O Mariyamma... O Mariyamma

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant devotional song is a mother's sorrowful prayer and questioning plea to Goddess Mariyamma (an incarnation of Goddess Parvati/Uma). Surrendering her grief at the sanctuary of the Mother Goddess, the parent laments the tragic turn of events in her daughter's life. Though her daughter was meant to experience happiness and wedded bliss ('Manakkolam'), cruel fate altered her destiny. The lyricist contrasts the divine ideal of Goddess Uma's union with Lord Shiva against the sorrowful reality of the mortal daughter. The mother clarifies that she seeks no worldly riches, but only divine intervention to restore grace, protection, and justice to her daughter's life.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvam)

Vizhimalar thannai unthan

Compares eyes to flowers ('Vizhimalar') to express delicate, tearful devotional offering.

Rhetorical Question (Vinaa)

Antha kalaththil vedhangal edharkkaagavo

Expresses anguish by questioning why fate/Vedas brought tragic circumstances instead of joy.

Contrast / Antithesis (Maranpadu)

Intha thirukkolam edharkkaaga koduththaayamma ammaa

Contrasts the expected joyful bridal attire ('Manakkolam') with tragic suffering ('Thirukkolam').

Initial Alliteration (Monai)

Ponnodu porul kettu varavillaiyae

Repetition of initial consonant sounds ('Ponnodu' / 'Penn') creating rhythmic devotion.

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Trivia

The song belongs to the 1978 Tamil movie 'Ananda Bhairavi' featuring lyrics written by Thavaseelan. Set in the traditional 'Amman Paattu' genre, it combines high pathos with classical devotional elements to convey human suffering addressed directly to the Divine Mother.

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