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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vetrivel Veeravel

From Kandhan Karunai · 1967

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Kandhan Karunai1967

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Vettri vel veera velVictorious Vel, heroic Vel!
Suttri vandha pagaivar thammaiOur spear of divine power that made surrounding enemies...
Thol nadungha vaitha engal sakthi vel...tremble down to their shoulders!
Njaana sakthi velThe divine Vel of supreme wisdom!
Male
Vettri vel veera velVictorious Vel, heroic Vel!
Suttri vandha pagaivar thammaiOur spear of divine power that made surrounding enemies...
Thol nadungha vaitha engal sakthi vel...tremble down to their shoulders!
Njaana sakthi velThe divine Vel of supreme wisdom!
Vettri vel veera velVictorious Vel, heroic Vel!
Male
Aadhisakthi annai thandha njaanavelThe Vel of wisdom bestowed by Mother Aadhisakthi,
Asuran thammai anja vaitha veeravelThe heroic Vel that terrified the demonic forces,
Aadhisakthi annai thandha njaanavelThe Vel of wisdom bestowed by Mother Aadhisakthi,
Asuran thammai anja vaitha veeravelThe heroic Vel that terrified the demonic forces,
Modhi andha kundrazhitha sakthivelThe powerful Vel that struck and destroyed the mountain,
Modhi andha kundrazhitha sakthivelThe powerful Vel that struck and destroyed the mountain,
Moovar dhevar vaazhtha vandha vettrivelThe victorious Vel praised by the Trinity and celestial gods,
Moovar dhevar vaazhtha vandha vettrivelThe victorious Vel praised by the Trinity and celestial gods,
Male
Vettrivel veeravelVictorious Vel, heroic Vel!
Suttri vandha pagaivar thammaiOur spear of divine power that made surrounding enemies...
Thol nadunga vaitha enghal sakthivel...tremble down to their shoulders!
Njaana sakthi velThe divine Vel of supreme wisdom!
Vettrivel… veeravel…Victorious Vel... heroic Vel...
Male
Dheivamundu dheivamunduGod exists, God exists!
Endru sollum vettrivelSo proclaims the victorious Vel!
Dheiva bakthi ullavarkkuTo those who hold divine devotion,
Kai kodukkum veera velThe heroic Vel extends a helping hand!
Dheivamundu dheivamunduGod exists, God exists!
Endru sollum vettrivelSo proclaims the victorious Vel!
Dheiva bakthi ullavarkkuTo those who hold divine devotion,
Kai kodukkum veera velThe heroic Vel extends a helping hand!
Yeidha pinbu meendum kandhaiEven after being hurled, back into Lord Murugan's...
Kaiyil vandhu nindra vel...hand returned to rest, the holy Vel!
Yeidha pinbu meendum kandhaiEven after being hurled, back into Lord Murugan's...
Kaiyil vandhu nindra vel...hand returned to rest, the holy Vel!
Engum vettri edhilum vettriVictory everywhere, victory in everything,
Kaanum enghal sakthi velIs brought forth by our divine Vel!
Engum vettri edhilum vettriVictory everywhere, victory in everything,
Kaanum enghal sakthi velIs brought forth by our divine Vel!
Male
Vettrivel veeravelVictorious Vel, heroic Vel!
Suttri vandha pagaivar thammaiOur spear of divine power that made surrounding enemies...
Thol nadunga vaitha enghal sakthivel...tremble down to their shoulders!
Njaana sakthi velThe divine Vel of supreme wisdom!
Vettrivel… veeravel…Victorious Vel... heroic Vel...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic devotional song from the movie Kandhan Karunai (1967) praises the divine spear (Vel) of Lord Murugan. The lyrics elevate the Vel as the ultimate weapon of righteousness given by Goddess Aadhisakthi, embodying both heroic valor (Veera Vel) and supreme spiritual wisdom (Njaana Vel). The Vel is depicted as a living protector that defeats evil forces, destroys mountains of obstacles, and reassures devotees that God exists to guide and help them.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyming)

Vettri vel veera vel / Suttri vandha pagaivar thammai

The second consonant 'tt' rhymes across consecutive lines (Vettri / Suttri).

Adukkuthodar (Epizeuxis / Repetition for Emphasis)

Dheivamundu dheivamundu

The word 'Dheivamundu' is repeated successively to strongly emphasize the absolute existence of God.

Personification

Endru sollum vettrivel / Kai kodukkum veera vel

The inanimate spear (Vel) is given human attributes of speaking and holding out a helping hand to devotees.

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Trivia

Kandhan Karunai (1967) is a landmark Tamil mythological film directed by A. P. Nagarajan. Although credited as Unknown in some queries, the iconic soundtrack was composed by K. V. Mahadevan, with lyrics written by Kannadasan and sung notably by T. M. Soundararajan alongside a chorus, making 'Vettri Vel Veera Vel' an enduring holy chant across Murugan temples.

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