Lyrics and Meanings (Kautthuvam)

Kauthvam is an ancient piece of classical dance. It is a hymn, a song of devotion in praise of a deity. It was performed by the Dhevadhāsis as part of the daily rituals, on special occasions, or during the festivals. Kauthvams are usually composed in the name of a specific deity in a particular temple.There are many Kauthvams, written in praise of different deities – Naṭarājā, Viṣhṇu, Muruga, Vināyaka. In earlier times, the Naṭṭuvanārs used to start teaching compositions to the students with Vināyaka Kauthvam. Kauthvams have both rhythmic syllables as well as lyrics interspersed in between.

Rāga: Nāṭṭai

Thāḷa: Chaturaśhra Eka

Composer:Tanjore Quartet

Language: Thamizh(Tamil)

Meanings – Word by word & Overall:

Alignment, Diacriticals & consequent spelling changes, Language & grammar editing, if any and necessary, of existing meaning: Team Ambalam

Īdhitthitthai Tham Dhitthitthai ; Dhitthai Thatthatu Thatthattham;Ī

Ī Dhitthattham Kuṭakiṭṭa Giṇṇa Thomkaṭaku Tham Ī

Ī Thomka Thanguku Thanguku  Dhitham Ī

Ī Kuṭakiṭṭa Ginna Thomkaṭakku Tham Thomka Ī

Ī Thomka Thanguku Thanguku  Dhitham Ī

Ī Thatham Kiṭamkiki Thaththaka Dhikki Tham Ī

Ī Thatthat Tham Thaṭṭa Thaththaka Dhikki Tham Ī

Ī Thirikiṭu Thom Thom Thikkundhari    Dhikkiṭa Kiṭathaka  Dhikkundhari Ī

Ī Aru Thiru Marugane Vighna Vināyaka Ī

Ī Vinakkiṭṭa Aruḷiya Gaṇapathi Jayajaya Ī

Ī Dhikkiṭṭa Udhara Kaḍan Jayajaya Ī

Ī Dhikkiṭṭa Udharakaḍan Giṇṇam Ī

Ī Thadhikka Thudhikkai Yānai Mukhatthavar Ī

Ī Thomkiṭa Kiṭathaka  Thomkum Thakka Devargal Ganapathi Ī

Ī Dhikkiṭa Kiṭathaka Dhikki Thomka Gaṇapathi Kautthuvam Ī

Ī Katravar Vinaiyara Tham Ukkuḍuthai Ī

Ī Thakku Dhikku Thakkitta Thomkita Kiṭathaka  Ī

Ī Dan Tangi Kiṭathaka Dhikki Ī

Ī Tham Thatthat Tham Thattha Ī

Meaning

Aruthiru Marugana – Nephew Of Lord Viṣhṇnu

Vighna Vināyaka – Obstacles Remove

Vinai – Ill Fate, Sufferings, Problems

Aruḷiya - Bless

Jaya Jaya – Victory To Him

Ānai Mukhatthavan – Elephant Face

Dhévargaḷ – Gods

Katravar – One Who Recites, Sings His Praises

Vinai – Sufferings

Ara - Removed

Victory to Lord Gaṇapathi who is the nephew of Lord Viṣhṇu, who is the remover of all obstacles, who vanquishes ill fate and blesses all; I sing praises and offer my salutations to that Lord Gaṇapathi, who has the head and trunk of an elephant and who is the lord of the Gods.