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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vetri Murasu

From Lava Kusa · 1963

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singers
P. Leela, V. N. Sundaram
Music director
Ghantasala
Details
Lava Kusa1963

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Valammigundha makkal vaazhvil inbam kooadvaeSo that happiness increases in the lives of prosperous people,
Chorus :Hari om hari omChorus: Hari Om Hari Om
Male :Thalai vanangi paapm ellam vilaghi odaveSo that all sins flee away as we bow our heads,
Chorus : Hari om hari omChorus: Hari Om Hari Om
Male :Mannan seiyum yaagathirkku aasi kooraveTo bestow blessings upon the ritual (Yagna) performed by the King,
Chorus : Hari om hari omChorus: Hari Om Hari Om
Male :Vandharula vendugirom devargaleMale: Oh celestial Devas, we pray for your gracious presence,
Moovagal astadhikku balargalaeOh guardians of the three worlds and the eight directions,
Male
Dhesam engum thanum paalum perughi odavaeSo that food grains and milk overflow across the entire nation,
Sengadhirgal kazhani engum vilaindhu aadavaeSo that golden stalks of crops grow and sway in every field,
Thikku ettum sooriya vamsa pugazhai paadaveTo sing the fame of the Solar Dynasty in all eight directions,
Thikku ettum sooriya vamsa pugazhai paadaveTo sing the fame of the Solar Dynasty in all eight directions,
Sittrasar thirai seluthi natppai naadaveSo that minor kings pay tribute and seek friendship,
Female
Veramangai thazhuvugindra maarbai konda neengalYou who possess a chest embraced by the Goddess of Valor,
Chorus : Vettriyodu thirumbhi vara vaazhthugirom naangalChorus: We bless you to return victorious,
Por kalathil pura mudhugu kaattidaatha neengalYou who never show your back in retreat on the battlefield,
Puravi thannai paadhukkaakka thilamittom naangaWe have applied the auspicious tilak to protect the sacrificial horse.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a sacred ceremonial hymn performed during the grand Ashvamedha Yagna (horse sacrifice) conducted by King Rama in the epic Lava Kusa. The singers invoke celestial deities and guardians of the directions to bestow their blessings upon the king's ritual, praying for universal prosperity, bumper harvests, flowing milk, and the eradication of sins throughout the kingdom.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Valammigundha makkal vaazhvil inbam kooadvae

Multiple lines end with the verbal participle suffix '-ave' (kooadvae, odave, koorave, aadavae, paadave, naadave), creating a rhythmic chant-like musicality.

Moonaai (Initial Alliteration)

Valammigundha makkal vaazhvil inbam kooadvae

Repetition of the initial 'V' sound in 'Valammigundha' and 'vaazhvil' creating a harmonious opening line.

Refrain / Repetition

Chorus :Hari om hari om

The chanting of 'Hari om hari om' acts as a holy spiritual refrain reinforcing the sacred context of the Yagna.

Personification / Imagery

Veramangai thazhuvugindra maarbai konda neengal

'Veramangai thazhuvugindra maarbai' personifies Valor (Veeram) as a goddess embracing the warrior's chest.

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Trivia

Lava Kusa (1963) was a monumental mythological film produced by Lalitha Sivajothi Films. Composed by legendary musician Ghantasala, the soundtrack remains one of the most celebrated classical/devotional scores in South Indian cinema history.

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