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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vetri Vadivelane

From Veerapandiya Kattabomman · 1959

Lyricist
Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniam
Singers
S. Varalakshmi, V. N. Sundaram
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Details
Veerapandiya Kattabomman1959

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Vetri vadivelanae sakthi umai balanaeOh bearer of the victorious spear, son of Goddess Parvati!
Veeram vilaitha kuhaneOh Guha, who cultivated valor!
Uttrathoru pagai vella tholilum nenjilumTo conquer the formidable enemy, in my shoulders and in my heart,
Oongidum valimai arulvaai..arulvaai..aaGrant me surging strength... grant it... ah!
Female
Manam kanindharul vel murugaOh Muruga with the spear, bless me with a compassionate heart!
Pulli mayilyerum maan maruga murugaOh nephew of Lord Vishnu, riding the spotted peacock, Muruga!
Manam kanindharul vel murugaOh Muruga with the spear, bless me with a compassionate heart!
Pulli mayilyerum maan maruga murugaOh nephew of Lord Vishnu, riding the spotted peacock, Muruga!
Manam kanindharul vel murugaOh Muruga with the spear, bless me with a compassionate heart!
Pulli mayilyerum maan marugaOh nephew of Lord Vishnu, riding the spotted peacock!
Male
Kurathi manaala gunaseela…Oh virtuous husband of the Kurava maiden Valli...
Muruga…murugaaamurugaaa..Muruga... Muruga... Muruga...
Kurathi manaala gunaseela…Oh virtuous husband of the Kurava maiden Valli...
Gyaana kurubaranae senthil vadivelaOh supreme guru of wisdom, bearer of the spear at Tiruchendur!
Kurathi manaala gunaseela…Oh virtuous husband of the Kurava maiden Valli...
Gyaana kurubaranae senthil vadivelaOh supreme guru of wisdom, bearer of the spear at Tiruchendur!
Sendhamizh deva kandhane nee kaappaaiOh God of pure Tamil, Lord Skanda, please protect us!
Sendhamizh deva kandhane nee kaappaaiOh God of pure Tamil, Lord Skanda, please protect us!
Vedhanae gyaana bodhanae swaami naadhaneOh embodiment of Vedas, teacher of divine wisdom, Swaminatha!
Yemadhu vedhanai theeraSo that our pain and suffering may end,
Female
Manam kanindharul vel murugaOh Muruga with the spear, bless me with a compassionate heart!
Pulli mayilyerum maan marugaOh nephew of Lord Vishnu, riding the spotted peacock!
Female
Thogai valli thanai naadiSeeking Valli with her beautiful peacock-like locks,
Vengai maramaagi nindra azhagaOh handsome one who transformed into a Vengai tree!
Vel eduthu vilaiyaadiWielding and playing with your divine spear,
Maamalaiyae thool aditha murugaOh Muruga who shattered the great Krauncha mountain to dust!
Soorapadmaniru koorupattozhiyaSo that the demon Surapadman was split in two and destroyed,
Por muditha kumaraOh Lord Kumara who brought the divine war to a triumphant end!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic devotional composition is a fervent prayer addressed to Lord Muruga (Skanda), seeking strength, courage, and spiritual protection against evil forces. The singer pleads for fortitude in both physical strength and mental resolve to conquer surrounding enemies and put an end to all personal afflictions. The song highlights several mythological attributes of Lord Muruga, including his marriage to Valli, his disguise as a Vengai tree, his vanquishing of the demon Surapadman, and his destruction of the Krauncha mountain. It also exalts him as the deity of pure Tamil and the guru who imparts divine supreme wisdom.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Vetri vadivelanae sakthi umai balanae

Repetition of initial consonant sounds across words in lines, such as 'Vetri' and 'Vadivelanae' in line 1, enhancing rhythmic harmony.

Edugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Vedhanae gyaana bodhanae swaami naadhane

Repetition of the second consonant sound in adjacent lines (e.g., 'Vedhanae' / 'Yemadhu' with 'dha'/'ma' flow or 'Thogai' / 'Vengai' / 'Vel').

Mythological Allusion

Thogai valli thanai naadi / Vengai maramaagi nindra azhaga

Reference to the ancient myth where Lord Muruga turns into a Vengai tree to court Goddess Valli.

Cultural Epithet

Sendhamizh deva kandhane nee kaappaai

Addressing Lord Muruga as 'Sendhamizh Deva' (God of Pure Tamil), emphasizing the profound cultural connection between the Tamil language and Lord Muruga.

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Trivia

'Veerapandiya Kattabomman' (1959) is a iconic Tamil historical film directed by B. R. Panthulu, starring Sivaji Ganesan. The musical score by G. Ramanathan features rich classical compositions that blended Carnatic tradition with cinematic narrative, making devotional songs like this timeless classics.

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