- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singer
- T. R. Mahalingam
- Music director
- C. N. Pandurangan
- Movie name
- Thiru Neelakandar
- Movie release year
- 1972
- Lyrics added on
- 30 May 2024
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This emotional devotional song expresses the sorrow and bewilderment of Thiruneelakanta Nayanar when the sacred begging bowl (thiruvodu) left in his trust by Lord Shiva (in the guise of an ascetic) magically disappears. Devastated, he wonders why the Almighty tests a humble devotee with such divine illusions (Sivaleelai). He recalls the boundless mercy of Lord Shiva, who acts as a comforting mother to the helpless, yet despairs that the Lord now remains unmoved like a stone statue while he suffers. In the climax of his agony, Thiruneelakantar questions whether his predicament is caused by ruthless fate or past karma, and desperately pleads with Lord Shiva to personally appear before the town assembly (sabhai) as a witness to prove his innocence and purity of devotion.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Iyaibu (End Rhyme)
“Kalaiyaanavan engum nilaiyaanavan / En kanneerai ariyaatha silaiyaanavan”
The repetition of the suffix 'aanavan' at the end of consecutive lines creates a rhythmic, musical flow reflecting grief and devotion.
Rhetorical Question
“Unnai manathil ninaiththarkku idhu laabamo”
The singer asks Lord Shiva whether this divine trial is the profit/reward earned for always keeping God in mind.
Contrast / Oxymoron
“Thaayattra pillaikku thaayaanavan ... En kanneerai ariyaatha silaiyaanavan”
Contrasting God's caring nature as a mother/child with his current aloofness as an unfeeling stone statue.
Did you know?
Trivia
T. R. Mahalingam, a legendary vocalist of Tamil cinema and carnatic music, both starred as Thiruneelakantar and sang this track. The film was a retelling of the life of Thiruneelakanta Nayanar, one of the 63 Nayanmars of Tamil Shaivism.
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