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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vellimalai Mannava

From Kandhan Karunai · 1967

Lyricist
Sankaradas Swamigal
Singer
S. Varalakshmi
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Kandhan Karunai1967

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Velli malai mannavaaO King of the Silver Mountain (Kailash)
Aa…. aa…aa…aa…aa…aa..aa….Vocalizing
Aa…. aa…aa…aa…aa…aa..aa….Vocalizing
Vaedham nee allavaaAre you not the embodiment of the sacred Vedas?
Aa…. aa…aa…aa…aa…aa..aa….Vocalizing
Aa…. aa…aa…aa…aa…aa..aa….Vocalizing
Munnorkkum munnavaa….aa….aa….O Primordial Being who existed before our ancestors!
Moonda kadhai sollavaaShall I relate the story that has unfolded?
Female
Velli malai mannavaaO King of the Silver Mountain
Vaedham nee allavaaAre you not the embodiment of the sacred Vedas?
Velli malai mannavaaO King of the Silver Mountain
Vaedham nee allavaaAre you not the embodiment of the sacred Vedas?
Munnorkkum munnavaaO Primordial Being who existed before our ancestors
Moonda kadhai sollavaaShall I relate the story that has unfolded?
Munnorkkum munnavaaO Primordial Being who existed before our ancestors
Moonda kadhai sollavaaShall I relate the story that has unfolded?
Female
Velli malai mannavaaO King of the Silver Mountain
Aa…. aa…aa…aa…aa…aa..aa….Vocalizing
Aa…. aa…aa…aa…aa…aa..aa….Vocalizing
Female
Anjezhuthum engal nenjezhuthallavaaIs not the sacred five-letter mantra written in our hearts?
Anjezhuthum engal nenjezhuthallavaaIs not the sacred five-letter mantra written in our hearts?
Aimbulanum undhan adaikkalam allavaaAre not our five senses surrendered to your refuge?
Aimbulanum undhan adaikkalam allavaaAre not our five senses surrendered to your refuge?
Anjunan nenjukku aarudhal sollavaa….Shall I offer solace to the frightened heart?
Aaa…. aa…. aaVocalizing
Anjunan nenjukku aarudhal sollavaaShall I offer solace to the frightened heart?
Abhaayam neekka varum sivaayamallavaaIs it not 'Sivayanama' that arrives to dispel all danger?
Abhaayam neekka varum sivaayamallavaaIs it not 'Sivayanama' that arrives to dispel all danger?
Female
Velli malai mannavaaO King of the Silver Mountain
Aa…. aa…aa…aa…aa…aa..aa….Vocalizing
Aa…. aa…aa…aa…aa…aa..aa….Vocalizing
Female
Vaanulagam vizhuvadhenaWhy is the celestial realm collapsing?
Vaanavar thaan azhuvadhennaWhy are the devas (celestials) weeping?
Vaanulagam vizhuvadhenaWhy is the celestial realm collapsing?
Vaanavar thaan azhuvadhennaWhy are the devas (celestials) weeping?
Saenai asurar kulamWhy is the army of the demon clan...
Seyal kodindhaan kolvadhenna...slaying with such cruel actions?
Saenai asurar kulamWhy is the army of the demon clan...
Seyal kodindhaan kolvadhenna...slaying with such cruel actions?
Dhevar kural kettuListen to the cry of the devas
Un thiruvadiyai kaattuShow them your sacred feet
Female
Abaya karam neettuExtend your hand offering protection
Un arul mugathai kaattuShow your gracious face
Female
Dhevar kural kettuListen to the cry of the devas
Un thiruvadiyai kaattuShow them your sacred feet
Abaya karam neettuExtend your hand offering protection
Un arul mugathai kaattu …Show your gracious face
Aa…. aa…aa…aa…aa…aa..aa….Vocalizing
Aa…. aa…aa…aa…aa…aa..aa….Vocalizing
Female
Velli malai mannavaaO King of the Silver Mountain
Vaedham nee allavaaAre you not the embodiment of the sacred Vedas?
Munnorkkum munnavaaO Primordial Being who existed before our ancestors
Moonda kadhai sollavaaShall I relate the story that has unfolded?
Female
Velli malai mannavaaO King of the Silver Mountain
Aa…. aa…aa…aa…aa…aa..aa….Vocalizing
Aa…. aa…aa…aa…aa…aa..aa….Vocalizing

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This devotional composition from the movie Kandhan Karunai is a prayer addressed to Lord Shiva, the King of Mount Kailash (Velli Malai). The speaker addresses Shiva as the timeless primordial entity who embodies the sacred Vedas and holds control over human senses and destiny. The song narrates the plight of the celestials (Devas) who are suffering under the tyranny of the demon army (Asuras), asking why such cruelty is permitted in the universe. Ultimately, the song serves as a plea for divine intervention, imploring Lord Shiva to listen to the cries of his devotees, reveal his sacred form, and offer protection (Abhaya) to restore peace and order.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Alliteration)

Munnorkkum munnavaa / Moonda kadhai sollavaa

Repetition of the initial letter 'M' in 'Munnorkkum' and 'Moonda' creates rhythmic harmony.

Edhukai (Second-letter Rhyming)

Anjezhuthum engal nenjezhuthallavaa / Aimbulanum undhan adaikkalam allavaa

Repetition of the second consonant 'n' in 'Anjezhuthum' and 'Aimbulanum'.

Metaphor

Anjezhuthum engal nenjezhuthallavaa

Comparing the five-letter sacred mantra (Na-Ma-Si-Va-Ya) to writing directly on the human heart (nenjezhuthu).

Anaphora

Un thiruvadiyai kaattu / Abaya karam neettu / Un arul mugathai kaattu

Repetition of imperative petitions 'kaattu' (show) and 'neettu' (extend) at the end of consecutive lines for dramatic emphasis.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song lyrics were written by Sankaradas Swamigal, a legendary Tamil playwright considered the 'Father of Tamil Theatre'. Although the film Kandhan Karunai was released in 1967 with music composed by K. V. Mahadevan and sung by iconic vocalist K. B. Sundarambal, this specific lyric originates from traditional Tamil drama literature authored much earlier by Swamigal.

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