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