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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Umaiyoru Pagane Thiruvarul

From Sivagami · 1960

Lyricist
Papanasam Sivan
Singer
M. K. Thiyagaraja Bagavathar
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Sivagami1960

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Umaiyoru paaganae thiruvarul puriOh Lord Shiva, who shares half his body with Uma (Parvati), shower your divine grace!
Ulaganadhanae jagadheesanaeOh Lord of the world, Ruler of the universe!
Umaiyoru paaganae thiruvarul puriOh Lord Shiva, who shares half his body with Uma, shower your divine grace!
Ulaganadhanae jagadheesanaeOh Lord of the world, Ruler of the universe!
Kamalapadham naan maravenI will never forget your lotus feet.
Kamalapadham naan maravenI will never forget your lotus feet.
Umaiyoru paaganae thiruvarul puriOh Lord Shiva, who shares half his body with Uma, shower your divine grace!
Ulaganadhanae jagadheesanaeOh Lord of the world, Ruler of the universe!
Male
Kaamanai vendravanae karunaagaranaeOh conqueror of Kamadeva (god of desire), ocean of mercy!
Sankaranae mangalakaranaeOh Sankara, bestower of auspiciousness!
Kaamanai vendravanae karunaagaranaeOh conqueror of Kamadeva, ocean of mercy!
Sankaranae mangalakaranaeOh Sankara, bestower of auspiciousness!
Umaiyoru baaganae thiruvarul puriOh Lord Shiva, who shares half his body with Uma, shower your divine grace!
Ulaganadhanae jagadheesanaeOh Lord of the world, Ruler of the universe!
Male
Maadhar uravaal maruvu kaadhal vilaiyaadaamalWithout playing around with passion born of attachment to women,
Maaiyai vasamaai samsaara valaiyil veezhndhu vidaamalWithout getting trapped in the web of illusion and worldly bondage,
Podhamizhindhu punidhan unadhu pugazhil verupadaamaalWithout losing wisdom or straying away from praising your divine glory,
Punniya yogiyar pol uyar thuravu neriyilTo walk the exalted path of asceticism like holy yogis,
Urudhi peravae arupagaiaravae panindhu magizhumTo gain spiritual resolve and vanquish the six inner vices, I bow in joy to:
Male
Umaiyoru baaganae thiruvarul puriOh Lord Shiva, who shares half his body with Uma, shower your divine grace!
Ulaganadhanae jagadheesanaeOh Lord of the world, Ruler of the universe!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a sublime devotional prayer addressed to Lord Shiva in his manifestation as Ardhanarishvara (the Lord who shares half his body with Goddess Uma). The seeker implores the Almighty for divine grace and seeks freedom from the entanglements of worldly illusions (Maya), lust, and material attachments. Instead of falling prey to samsaric ties, the devotee prays for the strength to tread the exalted path of renunciation followed by holy ascetics. By conquering the six inner vices (Arishadvarga: lust, anger, greed, delusion, pride, and envy), the singer vows to permanently anchor his mind upon the Lord's lotus feet and sing His eternal praises.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edugai (Second letter rhyming)

Maadhar uravaal... / Maaiyai vasamaai...

In lines 15-18, the second consonant sound 'd/dh/n' or vowel length forms a structured rhythm across lines: 'Maadhar' / 'Maaiyai' / 'Podhamizhindhu' / 'Punniya'.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Kaamanai vendravanae karunaagaranae / Sankaranae mangalakaranae

Matching end sounds in vocative addresses create a rhythmic, chant-like quality.

Uruvam (Metaphor)

Kamalapadham naan maraven / Samsaara valaiyil veezhndhu vidaamal

'Kamalapadham' compares the Lord's feet directly to a divine lotus blossom, and 'Samsaara valai' metaphorically views earthly existence as a entangling web.

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Trivia

This track was sung by M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar (MKT), Tamil cinema's first undisputed superstar. 'Sivagami' (1960) was released posthumously following MKT's demise in November 1959. The song was penned by the famous Carnatic composer Papanasam Sivan, often hailed as 'Tamil Tyagayya', whose classic spiritual compositions perfectly suited MKT's high-pitched classical vocal style.

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