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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Varanamayeram Soozha Valam Sei

From Avana Ivan · 1962

Lyricist
V. Lakshmanan
Singer
Radha Jayalakshmi
Music director
S. Balachandar
Details
Avana Ivan1962

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Varanam aayiram soozha valam seidhuSurrounded by a thousand elephants, making a sacred procession,
Naarana nambhi nadakkindraanLord Narayana, the supreme one, approaches in majesty.
Varanam aayiram soozha valam seidhuSurrounded by a thousand elephants, making a sacred procession,
Naarana nambhi nadakkindraanLord Narayana, the supreme one, approaches in majesty.
En edhir poorana porkudam vaithu puramengumWith full golden pots placed before me and everywhere around,
Thoranam natta kana kanden …thozhi… naanI saw a dream of festoons and arches being erected, O friend!
Female
Indhiran ullitta devar kuzhaam ellaamThe assembly of gods, led by Indra,
Vandhirundhu ennai magal pesiArrived and spoke of my wedding alliance,
Indhiran ullitta devar kuzhaam ellaamThe assembly of gods, led by Indra,
Vandhirundhu ennai magal pesiArrived and spoke of my wedding alliance,
Mandhirithu mandhira kodi uduthi manamaalaiReciting sacred mantras, robing me in blessed silk attire,
Andhari sootta kana kanden…. thozhi…. naanGoddess Durga adorned me with the wedding garland, as I dreamt, O friend!
Female
Mathalam kotta varisingam nindruthaWith drums beating and grand conch shells blowing,
Muthadai thaamam niraithazhndha pandharkeezhBeneath the canopy draped with low-hanging pearl garlands,
Maithunan nambhi madhusudhanan vandhuMy beloved cousin, Lord Madhusudhana, arrived,
Ennai kaithalam pattra kanaa kanden… thozhi… naanTo clasp my hand in holy matrimony, so I saw in my dream, O friend!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic verse originates from Andal's sacred 9th-century devotional work 'Nachiyar Thirumozhi' (specifically the famous decad 'Varanam Aayiram'). In these lines, Andal eagerly narrates her vivid, divine dream of her celestial wedding with Lord Vishnu (Narayana) to her close companion (thozhi). She describes grand preparations including a grand procession with a thousand elephants, auspicious golden pots, decorated arches, and Indra leading the celestial beings to propose the divine match. Goddess Durga blesses her with wedding garments, and amidst the joyful sounds of drums and conches under a pearl-laden canopy, Lord Madhusudhana takes her hand in holy matrimony.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Varanam aayiram / Naarana nambhi

The second consonant sound 'ra' creates a musical rhyme across lines.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Maithunan nambhi madhusudhanan vandhu

Repetition of the 'M' sound creates rhythmic sweetness typical of Tamil prosody.

Visual Imagery

En edhir poorana porkudam vaithu puramengum

Paints a vivid picture of traditional auspicious decorations like golden pots and decorative archways.

Auditory Imagery

Mathalam kotta varisingam nindrutha

Evokes the grand, joyful sounds of wedding music through drums and blowing conches.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although featured in the 1962 movie 'Avana Ivan' composed by S. Balachandar and sung by Radha-Jayalakshmi, the text itself is over a thousand years old, composed by Andal (the only female Alvar saint). Her 'Varanam Aayiram' hymn remains an integral part of traditional South Indian Hindu wedding rituals to this day.

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