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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aala Pirandha Rajan

From Raja Rajan · 1957

Lyricist
Muthukoothan
Singers
Tiruchi Loganathan, Muthukoothan, Vadivamba
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Raja Rajan1957

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Aala porandha raajanThe king who was born to rule,
Paadu thindaattamaiyaaIs struggling in deep trouble, sir!
Diyaalo thindaattamaiyaaDiyaalo, struggling in trouble, sir!
Ippo aduthu keduttha mandhirikkiNow for the minister who betrayed him from up close,
KondaattamaiyaaIt is a celebration, sir!
Ippo kondaattamaiyaaNow it is a celebration, sir!
Abaelae raajaa keluOh King Abaele, listen!
Subaelae raajaa aisaaOh King Subaele, like this!
Abaelae raajaa kelu subaelae raajaaOh King Abaele, listen, oh King Subaele!
Male
Moolaiyirundhum raajaa kuttiDespite having brains, the young king,
Mosam ponaandiWas deceived and ruined!
Raajaa mosam ponaandiThe king was deceived and ruined!
Mutaathanamaa raajiyathaiFoolishly, his kingdom,
Kottai vittaandiHe let slip away from his hands!
Raajaa kottai vittaandiThe king let his fort and kingdom slip away!
Abaelu mayilaeOh peacock Abaele,
Keladi subaelu mayilae aisaaListen, oh peacock Subaele, like this!
Abaelu mayilae keladi subaelu mayilaeOh peacock Abaele, listen, oh peacock Subaele!
Female
Kuyilu koottil kottaan ippoIn the cuckoo's nest, an owl now
KudiyirukkudhaiyaaIs residing, sir!
Kottaan kudiyirukkudhaiyaaAn owl is residing, sir!
Male
Aadum mayilae pola vaesham pottuDisguised like a dancing peacock,
Mandhi nadikkudhadiA monkey is acting, woman!
Paathu sandhi sirikkudhadiSeeing this, the whole street laughs!
Male
Abaelu mayilaeOh peacock Abaele,
Keladi subaelu mayilae aisaaListen, oh peacock Subaele, like this!
Abaelu mayilae keladi subaelu mayilaeOh peacock Abaele, listen, oh peacock Subaele!
Haa haei haa haei haa haei haa haeiHa hei, ha hei, ha hei, ha hei!
Male
Avalakshana raajaa polaLike an ill-omened king,
Aala vandhavandiHe came to rule!
O aandhai kannan raaja muzhiOh, the owl-eyed king tries to stare wide-eyed,
Muzhikka paathavandiHe tried to look around blankly!
Adhu veliyae therinju pochuThat deceit came out in the open,
Avan vaeshang kalaiyalaachuHis disguise was exposed and ruined!
O vidiyum munnae velaiyai mudippomOh, let us finish our task before dawn,
Vethalai chaaruvai pottukka pottukkaApply the betel juice, apply it,
Pottukka…Apply it...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This folk-style song serves as a satirical commentary on political betrayal, deception, and the loss of power. It tells the story of a foolish king who, despite possessing intelligence, was tricked by a treacherous minister into losing his kingdom and fort. While the king suffers, the cunning minister celebrates his ill-gotten victory. The lyricist employs vivid animal allegories to expose the absurd reality of the usurper's reign—comparing the villain to an owl squatting in a cuckoo's nest and a monkey attempting to dance like a peacock. The public mocks this fake king whose true owl-like nature and ugly intentions are finally laid bare, concluding with a call to action to finish the task of setting things right before dawn.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Allegory / Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Kuyilu koottil kottaan ippo

The line compares an imposter taking over power to an owl occupying a cuckoo's nest.

Satire and Imagery (Elippadaai / Uvamaani)

Aadum mayilae pola vaesham pottu Mandhi nadikkudhadi

Compares an incompetent, deceitful ruler to a monkey masquerading as a graceful peacock.

Rhyme / Ethirai (Second letter agreement)

Ippo aduthu keduttha mandhirikki

Rhyming of second letters 'de' in aduthu and keduttha to add rhythmic folk cadence.

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Trivia

Raja Rajan (1957) is a classic Tamil swashbuckler film starring M. G. Ramachandran (MGR), P. Bhanumathi, and Padmini. The soundtrack was composed by K. V. Mahadevan. Songs like this in MGR films often carried subtle socio-political allegories and folk narrative techniques like 'Villu Paattu' or 'Therukoothu' style storytelling.

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