- Lyricist
- Aandal
- Singer
- S. Janaki
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Movie name
- Keladi Kanmani
- Movie release year
- 1990
- Lyrics added on
- 8 Nov 2017
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
This poem is a famous section from 'Nachiyar Thirumozhi' composed by the female Alvar saint Andal. She vividly describes to her female friend (Thozhi) a grand, mystical dream in which she marries her beloved deity, Lord Narayana (Vishnu). The song depicts the majestic arrival of the Lord escorted by a thousand elephants, greeted by auspicious golden vessels and festive decorations. As the divine wedding unfolds, celestial beings led by Indra arrive to formalize the union. Andal is adorned in bridal attire and sacred garlands, and Vedic priests light the holy sacrificial fire. The Lord, majestic as a powerful elephant, holds her hand to perform the circumambulation around the sacred fire (Saptapadi). The verse beautifully encapsulates Madhura Bhakti (divine devotion through the emotion of bridal love) and remains a prominent fixture in traditional Tamil weddings.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Anaphora / Repetition
“Indhiran ullita / Devar kulaam ellam”
Phrases like 'Indhiran ullita Devar kulaam ellam' and refrain lines like 'Thozhi.. naan …kanaakkanden…' are repeated to reinforce the dreamlike narrative rhythm and emphasis.
Visual Imagery
“Endru ethir poorana porkudam / Vaiththu puram engum / Thoranam naatta kanaakkanden”
Rich visual descriptions such as a thousand elephants, golden pots brimming with water, green dharba grass, and decorative festoons create a vivid picture of a grand cosmic wedding.
Metaphor / Simile
“Kaaysina maakaliru annaan en kaippatri”
The groom Lord Vishnu is compared to a powerful, noble elephant ('Kaaysina maakaliru annaan'), conveying majesty, strength, and divine poise.
Monai (Initial Alliteration)
“Mandhira kodi uduthi / Mana maalai”
Matching initial sounds across lines or words (e.g., 'Mandhira' and 'Mana') enhances the musicality of the verse.
Did you know?
Trivia
Written by Andal in the 8th–9th century AD as part of 'Nachiyar Thirumozhi' (specifically the 'Vaaranam Aayiram' decade), these verses are universally recited at traditional Tamil Brahmin weddings today during the wedding rituals. In modern cinema, Ilaiyaraaja integrated this classic devotional hymn into the soundtrack of 'Keladi Kanmani' (1990).
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