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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vanangidum Kaikalil

From Karpooram · 1957

Lyricist
Poovai Senguttavan
Singers
Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi, P. Susheela
Music director
D. B. Ramachandran
Details
Karpooram1957

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Thuthipporku valvinaipom thunbampomFor those who pray, severe past sins will vanish, and sorrow will depart.
Nenjil pathipporku selvam palithuk kathithongumFor those who imprint Him in their heart, wealth will bloom and flourish greatly.
Nishtaiyum kaikoodumMeditation and deep concentration will naturally be attained.
Nimalar arul kanthar sashti kavacham thanaiThrough the sacred Kandar Sashti Kavacham blessed by the Pure Lord.
Female
Vel kondu nindravan thirumugam parthaalWhen looking at the divine face of Him who stands holding the Vel (spear),
Paal pol theriyudhadi paal pol theriyudhadiIt appears white and pure like milk, my friend, it appears like milk!
Female
Koovidum seval kodi mel irundhuFrom atop the flag, the crowing rooster...
Vizhithida solluthadi...tells us to awaken, my friend.
Koovidum seval kodi mel irundhuFrom atop the flag, the crowing rooster...
Vizhithida solluthadi...tells us to awaken, my friend.
Female
Vizhithathum ennai ninaithiru endru"As soon as you wake up, keep thinking of me,"...
Avan solvadhu theriyudhadi...is what He seems to be saying, my friend.
Solvadhu theriyudhadiThat is what He seems to be saying, my friend!
Female
Kandhanin karunai mazhai varum"The rain of Lord Kandhan's mercy is about to fall,"...
Endrae maamayil aaduthadi...anticipating this, the grand peacock dances, my friend!
Kandhanin karunai mazhai varum"The rain of Lord Kandhan's mercy is about to fall,"...
Endrae maamayil aaduthadi...anticipating this, the grand peacock dances, my friend!
Female
Maamayil viritha thogaiyin kangalThe eye-like spots on the grand peacock's spread plumage...
Velanai theduthadi velanai theduthadi...are searching for Lord Velan, searching for Lord Velan, my friend!
Female
Mudhan mudhal iraivan thiruvaai thirandhaanWhen the Lord opened His divine mouth for the very first time...
Muthamizh piranthadhadi...the three forms of Tamil (Muthamizh) were born, my friend!
Mudhan mudhal iraivan thiruvaai thirandhaanWhen the Lord opened His divine mouth for the very first time...
Muthamizh piranthadhadi...the three forms of Tamil (Muthamizh) were born, my friend!
Female
Andha muthamizh inbam anaithilum muruganIn all the sweet bliss of that threefold Tamil, Lord Murugan's...
Thirumugam thondruthadi thirumugam thondruthadi...divine face appears, His divine face appears, my friend!
Female
Eppodhu parthaalumWhenever you look at them...
Sirithirukkum adhu aaru mugangaladi...those six faces are always smiling, my friend!
Eppodhu parthaalumWhenever you look at them...
Sirithirukkum adhu aaru mugangaladi...those six faces are always smiling, my friend!
Female
Eppadi tholudhaalum arul kodukkumNo matter in what manner you worship, they shower grace...
Eppadi tholudhaalum arul kodukkumNo matter in what manner you worship, they shower grace...
Adhu panniru kaikaladi...those twelve hands of His do so, my friend!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic devotional song from the 1957 movie Karpooram opens with the well-known introductory verse of Devaraya Swamigal's Kandar Sashti Kavacham, highlighting how worshipping Lord Murugan eliminates past karma, brings immense prosperity, and grants spiritual mastery. The singers then describe the beauty and divine play of Murugan through vivid imagery: His radiant face shines pure like milk, the rooster on His flag calls devotees to wakefulness and remembrance, and the peacock dances in anticipation of His shower of mercy. Furthermore, the song connects Lord Murugan deeply with the Tamil language, stating that Muthamizh (Iyal, Isai, Natakam) originated from His divine mouth. Devotees see His face shining through every musical and literary delight of Tamil. The song concludes with a joyful celebration of Murugan's six perpetually smiling faces and His twelve compassionate hands that grant blessings regardless of how one approaches Him in devotion.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Thuthipporku valvinaipom thunbampom / Nenjil pathipporku selvam palithuk kathithongum

Rhyming of the second letter across lines, such as 'Thuthipporku' and 'Pathipporku'.

Upamai (Simile)

Paal pol theriyudhadi paal pol theriyudhadi

Comparing the divine glow and purity of Lord Murugan's face to milk ('Paal pol').

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Kandhanin karunai mazhai varum

Metaphorically describing Lord Murugan's infinite compassion as a shower of rain ('Karunai mazhai').

Personification

Maamayil viritha thogaiyin kangal / Velanai theduthadi velanai theduthadi

Attributing human actions and emotions to the rooster flag calling out to wake devotees and the peacock searching for Murugan with the 'eyes' of its feathers.

Anaphora (Repetition for Emphasis)

Eppadi tholudhaalum arul kodukkum

Phrases like 'Eppodhu parthaalum' and 'Eppadi tholudhaalum' are repeated to reinforce the constant accessibility and omnipresent grace of Lord Murugan.

Did you know?

Trivia

The opening four lines of this song are taken directly from the classical invocation verse (Kappu) of the 'Kandar Sashti Kavacham', composed by Devaraya Swamigal in the 19th century. In the film Karpooram (1957), this song was rendered as a duet by Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi and P. Susheela, composed by D. B. Ramachandran with lyrics penned by Poovai Senguttavan.

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