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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aarengum Neerundu

From Thunive Thozhan · 1980

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
S. P. Shailaja
Music director
R. Rajesh
Details
Thunive Thozhan1980

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Aarengum neerunduThere is water flowing everywhere in the rivers
Anaikkattuththaan vendumWe must build dams to harvest it
Vaarum thozhargalae naam ondraai nindraalCome comrades, if we stand united as one
Pani nandraai seithaal kaadugal solaigalaeIf we perform our work well, dense forests will turn into lush gardens
Antha solaiyil veedugalaeAnd inside those gardens, homes will flourish
Female
Ovvoru manithan vaazha orr illam vendumEvery human needs a shelter to live in
Ellorkkum illam tharum ullam vendumWe need a generous heart that offers shelter to everyone
Kaigal undu ingae naam katti kolvomWe have hands here, let us build and embrace together
Kanavugal vellum kaalam kaanbomWe shall see a time when our dreams come true
Female
Aarengum neerunduThere is water flowing everywhere in the rivers
Anaikkattuththaan vendumWe must build dams to harvest it
Vaarum thozhargalae naam ondraai nindraalCome comrades, if we stand united as one
Pani nandraai seithaal kaadugal solaigalaeIf we perform our work well, dense forests will turn into lush gardens
Antha solaiyil veedugalaeAnd inside those gardens, homes will flourish
Female
Kootturuvaalae vaazhum nam makkal suttrangalOur society and relatives thrive through cooperative effort
Kolgaiyin meedhu nindraal dhinam kuraiyum kuttrangalIf we firmly adhere to principles, wrongdoings will decrease daily
Aayiram kaigal saernthu oru thaalam thattuA thousand hands join together to clap to a single rhythm
Alavattra selvam kondu kuvippomWe will gather and heap boundless prosperity
Female
Aarengum neerunduThere is water flowing everywhere in the rivers
Anaikkattuththaan vendumWe must build dams to harvest it
Vaarum thozhargalae naam ondraai nindraalCome comrades, if we stand united as one
Pani nandraai seithaal kaadugal solaigalaeIf we perform our work well, dense forests will turn into lush gardens
Antha solaiyil veedugalaeAnd inside those gardens, homes will flourish
Female
Kaalaththai vellum selvamThe true wealth that stands the test of time
Nam pillai selvangalIs the wealth of our children
Kadavulin koyilThe temple where God resides
Antha nal vellai ullangalIs in those pure and innocent minds
Naalai naattai aalum siry deivapillaiThe little divine children who will govern the nation tomorrow
Nalam kondu naalum vaazha seiyyungalEnsure they live healthily and prosperously every day
Female
Aarengum neerunduThere is water flowing everywhere in the rivers
Anaikkattuththaan vendumWe must build dams to harvest it
Vaarum thozhargalae naam ondraai nindraalCome comrades, if we stand united as one
Pani nandraai seithaal kaadugal solaigalaeIf we perform our work well, dense forests will turn into lush gardens
Antha solaiyil veedugalae…..And inside those gardens, homes will flourish

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This uplifting social anthem written by Kannadasan highlights the power of unity, hard work, and collective nation-building. By drawing an analogy between damming rivers to build prosperous settlements and uniting people to eradicate social ills, the song calls on comrades to work together selflessly to turn wild lands into thriving, peaceful homes.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Emoni (Anaphora / Initial Rhyming)

Aarengum neerundu / Anaikkattuththaan vendum

Matching consonant/vowel sounds in the initial syllables across lines (e.g., Aarengum / Anaikkattuththaan).

Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyming)

Pani nandraai seithaal kaadugal solaigalae / Antha solaiyil veedugalae

Repetition of the second letter in consecutive lines, standard in traditional Tamil poetry (e.g., Pani / Antha).

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Ovvoru manithan vaazha orr illam vendum / Ellorkkum illam tharum ullam vendum

Matching end sounds in successive lines to create musicality (illam vendum / ullam vendum).

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Kadavulin koyil / Antha nal vellai ullangal

Comparing children's pure minds directly to a temple of God (Kadavulin koyil / Antha nal vellai ullangal).

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Trivia

Thunive Thozhan (1980) features music composed by R. Rajesh and lyrics by Poet Laureate Kannadasan. Sung energetically by S. P. Shailaja, the song reflects late-20th-century socialist ideals of community housing, water conservation, and collective effort prevalent in Tamil cinema during that era.

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