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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Unnai Nambi

From Bhakta Prahlada · 1967

Lyricist
Trichy Thiyagarajan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
S. Rajeswara Rao
Details
Bhakta Prahlada1967

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Unnai nambhi un padham thudhithaeTrusting you and praising your divine feet,
Sindhanai seiyum bakthan manadhilIn the heart of the devotee who meditates upon you,
Pai naagam kanda bayam adhu yedhuHow can there be any fear upon seeing a hooded cobra?
Paar kadal arangaa naarayanaOh Narayana, residing on the milky ocean!
Female
Jeevanum neeyae aiyaaYou alone are my life, oh Lord,
IraivaaOh God!
Jeevanum neeyae aiyaaYou alone are my life, oh Lord,
Paarin baaramum unadhae androoIsn't the burden of the whole world yours to bear?
En baaramum unadhae androoIsn't my burden yours as well?
Female
Jeevanum neeyae aiyaaYou alone are my life, oh Lord,
IraivaaOh God!
Jeevanum neeyae aiyaaYou alone are my life, oh Lord,
Paarin baaramum unadhae androoIsn't the burden of the whole world yours to bear?
En baaramum unadhae androoIsn't my burden yours as well?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This devotional song from the 1967 mythological film 'Bhakta Prahlada' expresses complete surrender (Saranagathi) and unwavering faith in Lord Narayana. The child devotee Prahlada sings that one who meditates on the Lord's holy feet is completely fearless, even in the presence of mortal danger represented by a venomous serpent. The lyrics beautifully argue that if God sustains and carries the immense weight of the entire universe, He will undoubtedly carry the small personal burdens of his ardent devotee as well, highlighting God as the ultimate benefactor and life force.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Rhetorical Question

Pai naagam kanda bayam adhu yedhu

The line asks 'where is the fear?' to emphasize that complete devotion eliminates all fear of danger or death.

Anaphora / Repetition

Jeevanum neeyae aiyaa

Repetition of the line 'Jeevanum neeyae aiyaa' reinforces the central theme of total reliance on the divine.

Parallelism / Metaphorical Comparison

Paarin baaramum unadhae androo / En baaramum unadhae androo

Contrasts the cosmic burden of the world ('Paarin baaramum') with the individual's personal burden ('En baaramum'), highlighting God's role as the universal bearer of all troubles.

Did you know?

Trivia

Bhakta Prahlada (1967) was a grand trilingual project produced by AVM Productions in Telugu, Tamil, and Kannada. The music composed by S. Rajeswara Rao remains iconic, and P. Susheela's rendition of Prahlada's devotional songs won immense critical acclaim across South India.

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