- Lyricist
- V. Lakshmanan
- Singer
- Radha Jayalakshmi
- Music director
- S. Balachandar
- Movie name
- Avana Ivan
- Movie release year
- 1962
- Lyrics added on
- 11 Jul 2021
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
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.
Keep listening
Songs with a similar feeling
From the same album
More songs from Avana Ivan
View albumSpot an issue?
Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.