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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aandavane Kann Thirandhu

From Dowry Kalyanam · 1983

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
M. S. Vishwanathan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Dowry Kalyanam1983

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Aandavanae kann thiranthu konjam paarungalOh God, please open your eyes and take a look.
Aandavanae kann thiranthu konjam paarungalOh God, please open your eyes and take a look.
Engal kalyaana veedugalin kadhaiyai kelungalListen to the story of our wedding homes.
Engal kalyaana veedugalin kadhaiyai kelungalListen to the story of our wedding homes.
Adhigaara maamiyaarin attakaasangalThe tyrannical behavior of domineering mothers-in-law.
Adhigaara maamiyaarin attakaasangalThe tyrannical behavior of domineering mothers-in-law.
Aval agampaava naavinilae melathaalangalRhythms of arrogance resonate from her tongue.
Dowry melathaalangalThe rhythm beats of dowry.
Male
Aandavanae kann thiranthu konjam paarungalOh God, please open your eyes and take a look.
Engal kalyaana veedugalin kadhaiyai kelungalListen to the story of our wedding homes.
Engal kalyaana veedugalin kadhaiyai kelungalListen to the story of our wedding homes.
Male
Marumagalin porul varavil kavanam vaikkindraalShe focuses only on the wealth brought by her daughter-in-law.
Thaanum marumagalaai vantha naalai maranthu pogiraalForgetting the day she herself entered as a daughter-in-law.
Marumagalin porul varavil kavanam vaikkindraalShe focuses only on the wealth brought by her daughter-in-law.
Thaanum marumagalaai vantha naalai maranthu pogiraalForgetting the day she herself entered as a daughter-in-law.
Male
Oru maganai sumanthathaalae ulagai ketkiraalJust because she gave birth to a son, she demands the world.
Ivalae than magalin thirumanaththil kanneer vadikkiraalYet this same woman sheds tears during her own daughter's wedding.
Ingu kanneer vadikkiraalHere she sheds tears.
Male
Aandavanae kann thiranthu konjam paarungalOh God, please open your eyes and take a look.
Engal kalyaana veedugalin kadhaiyai kelungalListen to the story of our wedding homes.
Engal kalyaana veedugalin kadhaiyai kelungalListen to the story of our wedding homes.
Male
Kulamagalai karam pidikka kooli ketkkiraanHe demands a wage (dowry) to hold the hand of a virtuous bride.
Thanga thirumagalin meniyilae ponnai paarkkiraanHe looks for gold on the body of the precious daughter.
Kulamagalai karam pidikka kooli ketkkiraanHe demands a wage (dowry) to hold the hand of a virtuous bride.
Thanga thirumagalin meniyilae ponnai paarkkiraanHe looks for gold on the body of the precious daughter.
Male
Santhathigal tharum thunaiyai niruththu paarkkiraanHe weighs the worth of the companion who grants him posterity.
Muchchanthiyilae vesiyidam veesi erigiraanYet he carelessly flings money at prostitutes on the streets.
Kaasai veesi erigiraanHe carelessly flings away money.
Male
Karuvinilae iruvarukkum paththu maadhamaeIn the womb, gestation takes ten months for both male and female.
Mana uravinilae anaivarukkum varkka pedhamaeYet in marital ties, there exists class and gender disparity for all.
Aadavarae uyarvu endru enna sattamoWhat kind of rule dictates that men are superior?
Antha aadavarai pettra inam enna mattamoIs the womanhood that gave birth to men inferior?
Yaen adimai pattamo….Why are women subjected to the title of slaves?
Male
Aandavanae kann thiranthu konjam paarungalOh God, please open your eyes and take a look.
Engal kalyaana veedugalin kadhaiyai kelungalListen to the story of our wedding homes.
Soga kadhaiyai kelungalListen to this tragic story.
Soga kadhaiyai kelungalListen to this tragic story.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This powerful social commentary song from the movie Dowry Kalyanam (1983) critiques the hypocrisy and injustice surrounding the dowry system in Indian society. It calls upon God to witness the tragic state of marriage houses, where greed and oppression dominate over sacred union. The lyricist highlights the hypocrisy of mothers-in-law who forget their own past struggles as brides, demanding extortionate dowries for their sons while weeping when faced with the same burden for their daughters. Furthermore, the song highlights the hypocrisy of men who treat virtuous wives like commercial transactions while squandering money frivolously elsewhere. It questions deep-seated gender inequality, pointing out that both men and women spend ten months in the womb, making the societal subjugation of women completely unnatural and unjustified.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyming)

Karuvinilae iruvarukkum paththu maadhamae / Mana uravinilae anaivarukkum varkka pedhamae

Matching second consonants in adjacent lines creating rhythm ('Karuvinilae' and 'Mana uravinilae').

Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

Kulamagalai karam pidikka kooli ketkkiraan

Comparing dowry demands to wages ('kooli') required to marry a bride.

Rhetorical Question

Aadavarae uyarvu endru enna sattamo / Antha aadavarai pettra inam enna mattamo

Asking satirical and thought-provoking questions to challenge patriarchal norms and misogyny.

Did you know?

Trivia

Dowry Kalyanam (1983), directed by Visu, was based on his famous stage play of the same name tackling the social evil of dowry. The music was composed by M. S. Viswanathan, and the hard-hitting lyrics were written by Vaali.

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