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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vinnum Mannum Niraindha

From Meera (1945) Film · 1945

Lyricist
Papanasam Sivan
Singer
M. S. Subbulakshmi
Music director
S. V. Venkatraman
Details
Meera (1945) Film1945

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Vinnum mannum niraindhaYour Krishna, who fills both heaven and earth,
Unn kannanYour Krishna,
Vikkiragam ondril adanginanoIs he really contained within a single idol?
Vinnum mannum niraindhaYour Krishna, who fills both heaven and earth,
Unn kannanYour Krishna,
Vikkiragam ondril adanginanoIs he really contained within a single idol?
Ponnil maniyil kaniyil malarilIn gold, in gems, in fruits, and in flowers,
Ponnil maniyil kaniyil malarilIn gold, in gems, in fruits, and in flowers,
Iyarkaiyazhagil vilangaayoDoes he not shine through the beauty of nature?
Iyarkaiyazhagil vilangaayoDoes he not shine through the beauty of nature?
Female
Aaruyir…haa…aaa..aaa…aaa…Precious soul... haa... aaa... aaa... aaa...
Aaruyir yaavum avanaalaeAll precious souls exist because of him,
Aaruyir yaavum avanaalaeAll precious souls exist because of him,
Saerum maaraadha inbamae…Attaining an unchanging, everlasting bliss...
Ae….ae….ae…ae…ae….Ae... ae... ae... ae... ae...
Saerum maaraadha inbamaeAttaining an unchanging, everlasting bliss,
Female
Ponnum maniyum kaniyum malarumGold, gems, fruits, and flowers,
Ponnum maniyum kaniyum malarumGold, gems, fruits, and flowers,
Kannan arul vella thee valaiyaeAre merely sparks in the overwhelming flood of Krishna's grace,
Kannan arul vella thee valaiyaeAre merely sparks in the overwhelming flood of Krishna's grace.
Male
Indha dheiveega anbinaalaeThrough this divine and boundless love,
Indha dheiveega anbinaalaeThrough this divine and boundless love,
Endhan naeyam marandhaai polumIt seems you have forgotten my worldly affection,
Female
Ungal anbum endhan praemaiyumYour love and my deep devotion,
Ungal anbum yendhan praemaiyumYour love and my deep devotion,
Ondru saerumae kannan kaalilWill ultimately unite at the feet of Lord Krishna,
Ondru saerumae kannan kaalilWill ultimately unite at the feet of Lord Krishna,
Female
Inimai thadhumbum innaalae…ae…On this sweet and blissful day... ae...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This devotional song reflects on the omnipresent and boundless nature of Lord Krishna. It questions the idea of confining the cosmic deity—who fills the entire cosmos, earth, and sky—to a single physical idol. Instead, the lyrics urge the seeker to recognize Krishna's divine presence everywhere in nature: in gold, gems, fruits, flowers, and every living soul. The ultimate purpose of all divine love and human devotion is to merge at the feet of Lord Krishna, yielding eternal, unceasing joy.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Rhetorical Question (Vina)

Vikkiragam ondril adanginano

The line asks whether the infinite Lord who fills heaven and earth can be limited to a single idol, emphasizing His omnipresence.

Anaphora / Repetition (Irattai Kilavi / Sorkal)

Ponnil maniyil kaniyil malaril

The listing of natural objects with rhyming locative suffixes creates a rhythmic, musical cadence highlighting nature's variety.

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Kannan arul vella thee valaiyae

Compares Krishna's divine grace to a vast flood ('arul vellam') that encompasses all earthly treasures.

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Trivia

This iconic song comes from the classic 1945 movie 'Meera', starring the legendary Carnatic vocalist M. S. Subbulakshmi and directed by American filmmaker Ellis R. Dungan. The song's lyrics were penned by Tamil poet-composer Papanasam Sivan, while the music for the film was composed by S. V. Venkatraman, making it a cornerstone of Tamil cinema's musical history.

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