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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vinnavar Kadhiye Potri

From Harichandra – 1968 Film · 1968

Lyricist
Udhayakumar
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Harichandra – 1968 Film1968

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Vinnavarkethiyae pottriPraise to the Lord of the celestials!
Vithaga porulae pottriPraise to the supreme master of wisdom!
Manninarkku iraiyae pottriPraise to the Lord of the people on earth!
Maadhavar kolundhae pottriPraise to the tender sprout among great ascetics!
Annalae anbae pottriPraise to the noble one, praise to love itself!
Adhiyae pottri…Praise to the primordial beginning!
Moondru kannanae pottriPraise to the three-eyed Lord!
Muzhumudhar kadavulae pottri pottriPraise, praise to the supreme primordial deity!
Pottrii eee eeePraise!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This devotional hymn is a solemn prayer dedicated to Lord Shiva, hailing him as the supreme ruler of both heaven and earth. The verses systematically extol his divine attributes as the ultimate embodiment of wisdom, ascetic grace, universal love, and the eternal three-eyed source of all creation.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaibu (End Rhyme / Refrain)

Vinnavarkethiyae pottri

Every line in the hymn ends with the devotional word 'pottri' (meaning 'praise'), creating a traditional, hypnotic chant structure.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Moondru kannanae pottri / Muzhumudhar kadavulae pottri pottri

The repetition of matching initial consonants across words and lines, such as 'Moondru' and 'Muzhumudhar' or 'Annalae' and 'Adhiyae'.

Anaphora / Devotional Epithet Chanting

Annalae anbae pottri / Adhiyae pottri…

Iterative listing of divine titles coupled with praise to build religious intensity.

Did you know?

Trivia

The term 'Pottri' (praise) is iconic in Tamil Shaivite hymnology, most famously used in St. Manikkavacakar's 9th-century masterpiece 'Tiruvacakam' (specifically 'Potri Thiruagaval'). Mythological films like Harichandra (1968) drew heavily upon this classical devotional liturgy.

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