Thiruvempavai Pathigam 1 -

Aadhiyum Antamum

Rāgam : Bowli

Tālam : Adi

Transliteration:

ādiyum antamum

illā arumperuñ

jotiyai yāmpāḍak-

keṭṭeyum vāzhtaṭaṅkaṇ

māte val̤arutiyo

vaṉseviyo niṉsevithāṉ

mādevaṉ vārkazhalgal̤

vāzhttiya vāzhttolipoy

vidivāy keṭṭalume

vimmivimmi meymmaṟanthu

podār amal̤iyiṉmel

niṉṟum puraṇdiṅṅgaṉ

eteṉum āgāl̤

kidanthāl̤ eṉṉe eṉṉe

īde emtozhi

pariselor empāvāy

Gist : In the first pathigam (hymn) ‘Adiyum Antamum’ Manickavasagar begins by praising Lord Shiva and seeks His grace. The poet expresses his devotion and surrender to Shiva, describing the various aspects of the divine and the beauty of the deity. The hymn is a devotional outpouring of love and a plea for spiritual guidance and blessings.

The twenty songs of the ‘Thiruvempavai’ form a part of the ‘Thiruvasakam’, a set of ancient Tamil hymns that date back to the 9 CE, and were composed in Annamalaiyar temple by the poet-saint Manickavasagar. Each song in the ‘Thiruvempavai’ is a fervent expression of the poet's deep devotion and surrender to the divine, and quest for spiritual enlightenment. The songs are written as conversations between a sleeping maiden, reluctant to wake up early, and her friends who try to persuade her to accompany them to the temple. 'Thiruvempavai’ are sung early in the morning, one on every day, followed by ten songs of the ‘Thirupalliyeluchi’. The paavai songs are part of an ancient tradition amongst unmarried young girls, where they would light lamps in the early mornings of Margazhi, and sing songs in praise of Lord Shiva. It was believed that such rituals would bring prosperity and a suitable husband. The ‘Thiruvempavai’ songs, along with the ‘Thiruppavai’ songs composed in honour of Lord Vishnu, resound in temples across Tamil Nadu during the cold days of December and January.The songs are even sung during the coronation of the King of Thailand!

Thiruppavai songs are also available here https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-doH9v4Aa5REwe1adEaLrfAnVIOl4RB6

Supported by Sri Lalitam Trust

Credits Lyrics - Thiru Manickavasagar Concept, direction & vocals - Madhu Iyer Cinematography - Aravind Rajagopalan Translation and transliteration - Anuradha Srinivasan Video edits, thumbnails and social media - Saroja Vasanth Edits, Mix and Master - Sankararaman, Conch Music House Recording - At Atrium sounds by Anish Mohan. Art - Vishnuprabha of Vishnu Arts Other images from the Internet (creative commons) #thiruvempavai #thiruvembavai #lordshiva #margazhi #margazhihymns #madhuiyer #classicalmusic #indianclassicalmusic #carnaticmusic #carnaticsongs #devotionalhymns #tamildevotionalsongs #tamilhymns #tamilclassicalsongs #kritis #margazhi #margazhi2023 #margazhiseason #adiyumantamum #manickavasagar #sangamlitnerature #sangampoems #thiruvasagam #shivasongs #maneniennalai #shivasongs #shivadevotionalsongs #mahadev #mahadeva #nataraja #natraj #annamalai

Andal, Kodhai, Goda Devi or Nachiyar as she was variously known, was the only female poet-saint (Alvar) in the Tamil Bhakti tradition. She lived in 7th or 8th century CE & composed many songs in beautiful classical Thamizh which are very popular even today. Known as Thiruppavai. This set of thirty songs are sung on the thirty days of Margazhi (mid-December to mid-January). Her 143 verse poem, known as Nachiyar Thirumozhi, is also famous.

Andal’s vivid poetry uses imagery unique to the Thamizh landscape, such as the ānaiccāttan (Greater coucal or red crow), sennel, ungaḷ puzhak kaḍai tōṭṭattu vāviyuḷ cengazhunīr vāy nehizhndu āmbal vāy kūmbina kāṇ.

The most popular Thiruppavai, Margazhi Thingal, is sung on the first day of Margazhi. The pavai nombu or ritual vow which was observed by women for the 30 days of Margazhi over time merged with Pongal festivities. Some of her famous Thiruppavai pasurams or songs are Margazhi Thingal, Elle Ilam Kiliye, Thoomani Madathu etc.

#andal #kodhai #godadevi #margazhi #thiruppavai #pasurams #tamildevotional #tamildevotionalsongs #bhaktimovement #bhaktitradition #alvar #vishnu #vaishnavism #vaishnava #krishna #nappinai #lakshmi

Pasuram 30 : Vanga Kadal Kadainthu

Ragam : Surutti

Singer : Madhu Iyer

Venue : Brahma Vidya Mandir

Meaning of the pasuram

The Lord who churned

The Ocean of Milk,

O Madhava, O Kesava!

To you, the moon-faced

And bejewelled gopis

Reached & prayed

There (in Gokulam) the grand story

Of receiving the boon of moksha,

She who hails from beautiful Pudhuvai

(Srivilliputhur)

Wearing fresh lotus garlands,

That Kodhai,

The daughter of the best

Of priests (Periyalvar),

She recites

This garland of thirty verses

In beautiful Thamizh

If we recite without fail

Then the Lord with four shoulders

Like mountains

And red lotus-eyes

And divine face,

That glorious Narayana

Will bless everyone

In the world

To receive His grace

And rejoice!

#andal #kothai #kodai #kodhai #nachiyar #godadevi #thiruppavai #thiruppavaipasurams #madhuiyer #classicalmusic #indianclassicalmusic #carnaticmusic #carnaticsongs #devotionalhymns #tamildevotionalsongs #tamilhymns #tamilclassicalsongs #kritis #pasuram #margazhi #margazhi2022 #margazhiseason #vangakadal

Pasuram 29 : Sitram Siru Kale

Ragam : Madhyamavati

Singer : Madhu Iyer

Venue : Brahma Vidya Mandir

Meaning of the pasuram

In the early hours of the morning,

We came to serve You

O hear why we praise

Your golden lotus feet

O Lord!Born in the cowherd’s clan

That lives by grazing cattle

Do not naysay

Our loving service

O Govinda, look!

We do not want moksha

Only for today

But for all eternity

Seven times seven births

Shall we be bound to You

And You alone shall we serve

Dissolve all our

Other desires

Into Your service!

#andal #kothai #kodai #kodhai #nachiyar #godadevi #thiruppavai #thiruppavaipasurams #madhuiyer #classicalmusic #indianclassicalmusic #carnaticmusic #carnaticsongs #devotionalhymns #tamildevotionalsongs #tamilhymns #tamilclassicalsongs #kritis #pasuram #margazhi #margazhi2022 #margazhiseason #karavaigalpinchendru #tamildevotionalsongs

Pasuram 28 : Karavaigal Pin Chendru

Ragam : Kambhoji

Singer : Madhu Iyer

Venue : Brahma Vidya Mandir

Meaning of the pasuram

We follow our cattle

And eat together in the forest

Simple cowherds that we are

Blessed are we

That You were born

In our clan

O flawless Govinda!

None can break our bond with you ,

Ignorant girls that we are

Born of love

We called you by trivial names

Do not be angry!

O Lord, grant us moksha!

#andal #kothai #kodai #kodhai #nachiyar #godadevi #thiruppavai #thiruppavaipasurams #madhuiyer #classicalmusic #indianclassicalmusic #carnaticmusic #carnaticsongs #devotionalhymns #tamildevotionalsongs #tamilhymns #tamilclassicalsongs #kritis #pasuram #margazhi #margazhi2022 #margazhiseason #karavaigalpinchendru

Pasuram 27 : Koodarai Vellum

Ragam : Poorvi Kalyani

Singer : Madhu Iyer

Venue : Brahma Vidya Mandir

Meaning of the pasuram

O Govinda who vanquishes his enemies,

Of you

We shall sing & attain moksha,

And further, these rewards we shall obtain

Acclaim from all the land,

Armlets, shoulder ornaments, ear studs & earrings

Anklets, & several such adornments shall we don

We shall wear robes

And thereafter, partake of milk & boiled rice

Completely covered in ghee

Which drips down to our elbows,

And together shall we be in bliss

Pasuram 26 : Male Manivanna

Ragam : Kunthala Varali

Singer : Madhu Iyer

Venue : Brahma Vidya Mandir

Meaning of the pasuram

O Lord who is love incarnate

With a blue sapphire hue

In order to observe the ritual vow in Margazhi

In the way of our ancestors

Hear what is needed

The universe trembles at the sound

Of Your milk-white conch, the Panchajanya,

Such conches do we need

And hymn-singers to sing Your praise

And great drums

To sing Pallandu

A standing lamp, a flag, & a canopy

O Lord who slept on the banyan leaf after the Great Deluge!

Bless us so we can observe the ritual vow!

Pasuram 25 : Oruthi Maganai

Ragam : Behaag

Singer : Madhu Iyer

Venue : Brahma Vidya Mandir

Meaning of the pasuram

Born of a woman

One turbulent night

And raised in hiding

By another thereafter

That intolerant tyrant

Who wanted to harm You

All his efforts made futile

And in Kamsa’s belly,

Like a raging fire,You stood

O Supreme Lord, to You

We have come begging

For the boon of moksha (salvation) from You

And if You give us moksha,

Of Your matchless wealth & prowess shall we sing

And thus would vanish all our sorrows

Unto this bliss!

#andal #kothai #kodai #kodhai #nachiyar #godadevi #thiruppavai #thiruppavaipasurams #madhuiyer #classicalmusic #indianclassicalmusic #carnaticmusic #carnaticsongs #devotionalhymns #tamildevotionalsongs #tamilhymns #tamilclassicalsongs #kritis #pasuram #margazhi #margazhi2022 #margazhiseason #margazhibeats #thiruppavai #kodhai #madhuiyer #andal #margazhi #carnaticmusic #keezhvaanam #pasuram #tamilbhaktisaints #bhaktimovement #tamilsaints #tamilsongs #vishnu #krishna #anganmagnyalathu #andal #kothai #kodai #kodhai #nachiyar #godadevi #thiruppavai #thiruppavaipasurams #madhuiyer #classicalmusic #indianclassicalmusic #carnaticmusic #carnaticsongs #devotionalhymns #tamilhymns #tamilclassicalsongs #kritis #pasuram #margazhi #margazhi2022 #margazhiseason #oruthimaganai