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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aandavan Ulagathin

From Thozhilali · 1964

Lyricist
Aalangudi Somu
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Movie name
Thozhilali
Movie release year
1964
Lyrics added on
7 Oct 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Aandavan ulagathin mudhalaali
Avanukku naanoru thozhilaali
Annai ulagin madiyin melae
Anaivarum enadhu koottaali
Aandavan ulagathin mudhalaali
Avanukku naanoru thozhilaali
Annai ulagin madiyin melae
Anaivarum enadhu koottaali
Iruppadhai kondu sirappudan vaazhum
Ilakkanam padithavan thozhilaali
Iruppadhai kondu sirappudan vaazhum
Ilakkanam padithavan thozhilaali
Urukku pondra than karathaiyae nambi
Ongi nirppavan thozhilaali
Aandavan ulagathin mudhalaali
Avanukku naanoru thozhilaali
Annai ulagin madiyin melae
Anaivarum enadhu koottaali
Kallai kaniyaaga maattrum thozhilaali
Gavanam oru naal thirumbum
Kallai kaniyaaga maattrum thozhilaali
Gavanam oru naal thirumbum
Adhil nallavar vaazhum puthiya samudhaayam
Nichayam oru naal arumbum
Vaazhkai endroru payanathilae
Palar varuvaar povaar boomiyilae
Vaazhkai endroru payanathilae
Palar varuvaar povaar boomiyilae
Vaanathu nilavaai silar iruppaar
Andha varisaiyil mudhalvan thozhilaali
Aandavan ulagathin mudhalaali
Avanukku naanoru thozhilaali
Annai ulagin madiyin melae
Anaivarum enadhu koottaali
God is the master of this world,
And I am a worker under Him.
On the lap of Mother Earth,
Everyone is my companion.
God is the master of this world,
And I am a worker under Him.
On the lap of Mother Earth,
Everyone is my companion.
Living with dignity on whatever he has,
The worker has mastered this way of life.
Living with dignity on whatever he has,
The worker has mastered this way of life.
Relying on his hands of steel,
The worker stands tall and proud.
God is the master of this world,
And I am a worker under Him.
On the lap of Mother Earth,
Everyone is my companion.
The worker who turns hard stone into fruit
Will turn his focus one day;
The worker who turns hard stone into fruit
Will turn his focus one day;
And a new society where good people thrive
Will surely blossom one day.
On this journey called life,
Many come and go upon the earth.
On this journey called life,
Many come and go upon the earth.
A few will shine like the moon in the sky,
And foremost in that line is the worker!
God is the master of this world,
And I am a worker under Him.
On the lap of Mother Earth,
Everyone is my companion.
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This inspiring song celebrates the dignity of labor and the elevated role of the worker in human society. The speaker views God as the ultimate owner of the world and considers all human beings as equal partners under Mother Earth. The worker is described as someone who possesses self-respect, contentment, and physical fortitude—capable of turning hard stone into fruitful productivity through sheer handwork.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Moonaai (First letter alliteration)

“Aandavan ulagathin mudhalaali / Avanukku naanoru thozhilaali”

Repetition of the initial vowel sound 'Aa'/'A' across lines to create rhythmic symmetry.

Uvamai (Simile)

“Urukku pondra than karathaiyae nambi”

Comparing the worker's hands directly to steel using the comparative marker 'pondra'.

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

“Vaazhkai endroru payanathilae”

Comparing life directly to a journey without comparative words.

Did you know?

Trivia

The 1964 film 'Thozhilali' starred M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) and K. R. Vijaya. The music for this iconic labor anthem was composed by K. V. Mahadevan, sung by T. M. Soundararajan, with lyrics penned by Aalangudi Somu.

Keep listening

Songs with a similar feeling

Vazhga Kaigal Irandum1976
Kanavan ManaiviResilienceBrotherhood
Indha Ulagam1984
Sanga NathamResilienceHope
Ondre Solvaan1974
Sirithu Vazha VendumDignityEquality
Odi Odi Uzhaikkanum1972
Nalla NeramHopefulSocial Justice
Annamitta Kai1972
Annamitta KaiDignitySocial Justice
Vervai Thuligale1973
Nyayam KetkiromSocial JusticeResilience

From the same album

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