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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vada Thisaiyil

From Subrabatham · 1977

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
Vani Jairam, Balamuralikrishna
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Subrabatham1977

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Vada dhisaiyil sila vaigunthangalThere are sacred Vaikunthas in the northern direction,
Thiru madavan vaazhum thiru thalangalHoly abodes where the divine Madhava resides.
Kadalenum bakthiyil uyirinangalIn the vast ocean of devotion, living beings live,
Dhinam kannanai seivikkum arul manangalGraceful minds serving Lord Krishna every single day.
Female
Pandaripuramennum ponnulagamThe golden world known as Pandharpur,
Engal paranthaaman kanda thani ulagamA unique world envisioned by our Supreme Lord.
Pandaripuramennum ponnulagamThe golden world known as Pandharpur,
Engal paranthaaman kanda thani ulagamA unique world envisioned by our Supreme Lord.
Female
Kandu kondaar avar kangalilaeThey witnessed Him with their own eyes,
Avan karunai piranthathu idhayaththilaeAnd His compassion blossomed in their hearts.
Kandu kondaar avar kangalilaeThey witnessed Him with their own eyes,
Avan karunai piranthathu idhayaththilaeAnd His compassion blossomed in their hearts.
Male
Kannan pirantha siraisaalaiThe prison cell where Lord Krishna was born,
Aa…aa…aa…aa…aah….aa…aa…aa….Aa…aa…aa…aa…aah….aa…aa…aa….
Kannan pirantha siraisaalaiThe prison cell where Lord Krishna was born,
Avan kaaviyam paadiya kulir cholaiA cool grove that sang His epic saga.
Vannam nirainthathu sirikkuthammaaBursting with colors, it smiles with delight,
Intha maduraa nagaram azhaikkuthammaaThis beautiful city of Mathura beckons us!
Female
Kasi endraalae namai marappomAt the mere mention of Kasi, we forget ourselves,
Antha harichandran kadhaithanai ninippomWe recollect the righteous tale of King Harishchandra.
Kasi endraalae namai marappomAt the mere mention of Kasi, we forget ourselves,
Antha hairchandhiran kadhaithanai ninaippomWe recollect the righteous tale of King Harishchandra.
Female
Aasigal puriyuthu gangai nadhiThe holy river Ganges bestows her blessings,
Antha alaiyinil moozhguvathu manithavithiImmersing in those sacred waves is human destiny.
Aasigal puriyuthu gangai nadhiThe holy river Ganges bestows her blessings,
Antha alaiyinil moozhguvathu manithavithiImmersing in those sacred waves is human destiny.
Male
Gangaiyil orunaal kuliththuvittaalIf one bathes in the Ganges even for a day,
Entha kaakkaiyum yaanaiyin palam perumaamEven a frail crow is said to gain the strength of an elephant.
Angae avargal kuliththezhunthaarThey bathed there and arose rejuvenated,
Antha anantha layaththil thamai maranthaarLosing themselves in that divine rhythm of bliss.
Female
Saththiya naarayanan koyilThe sacred temple of Satyanarayana,
Raman sannathi kaattum thirukkoyilThe holy shrine revealing the presence of Lord Rama.
Aththanaiyum avar paarththa pinnaeAfter witnessing all these divine holy abodes,
Annai annapoorani viduvaalaaWould Divine Mother Annapoorani ever leave them unfulfilled?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from the film 'Subrabatham' serves as a musical pilgrimage through northern India's holy towns. The lyrics take the listener on a spiritual journey visiting Pandharpur, Mathura, and Kasi (Varanasi), highlighting the divine abodes of Lord Krishna, Rama, Satyanarayana, and Mother Ganges. It portrays the intense bliss experienced by devotees who visit these sacred shrines and bathe in the Ganges, emphasizing that true devotion transforms even the weakest souls.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Kadalenum bakthiyil uyirinangal

Compares devotion to a vast ocean ('Kadalenum bakthiyil').

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navitchi Ani)

Entha kaakkaiyum yaanaiyin palam perumaam

Exaggerates the sanctifying power of the River Ganges by stating that even a tiny crow gains the strength of an elephant after bathing in it.

Personification

Vannam nirainthathu sirikkuthammaa / Intha maduraa nagaram azhaikkuthammaa

Personifies the city of Mathura as a welcoming entity that smiles and calls out to devotees.

Ethukai (Second-letter rhyme)

Kandu kondaar avar kangalilae / Avan karunai piranthathu idhayaththilae

The second consonant 'nda' matches across lines ('Kandu' / 'Avan karunai' -> 'Kandu' / 'Avan'), creating rhythmic phonetic harmony.

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Trivia

This track is a unique pilgrimage-themed duet composed by M. S. Viswanathan, featuring legendary Carnatic vocalist Dr. M. Balamuralikrishna alongside Vani Jairam. Poet Kannadasan ingeniously condenses North Indian pilgrimage geography (Kasi, Mathura, Pandharpur) into evocative Tamil lyricism.

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