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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aayiram Penmai

From Panithirai · 1961

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
P. Susheela, Chorus
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Panithirai1961

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Aayiram penmai malarattumaeLet a thousand womanhoods bloom
Aayiram kangal rasikkattumaeLet a thousand eyes admire
Oruthiyin nenjam oruvanukkendraeYet a woman's heart belongs to only one man
Sol sol sol thozhi sol sol solSay it, say it, say it, my friend, say it, say it, say it!
Chorus
Aayiram penmai malarattumaeLet a thousand womanhoods bloom
Aayiram kangal rasikkattumaeLet a thousand eyes admire
Oruthiyin nenjam oruvanukkendraeYet a woman's heart belongs to only one man
Sol sol sol thozhi sol sol solSay it, say it, say it, my friend, say it, say it, say it!
Female
Ondrae kaadhal ondrae inbamLove is one, bliss is one
Ondrae vaazhvin needhiThe justice of life is one
Chorus
Ondrae vaazhvin needhiThe justice of life is one
Female
Ondraai serndhu anbaai vaazhumLiving together united in love
Panbae pengal jaadhiVirtue is the true character of womanhood
Chorus
Panbae pengal jaadhiVirtue is the true character of womanhood
Female
Kaadhal naayagan oru paadhiThe hero of love is one half
Kaadhali thaanam maru paadhiThe beloved heroine is the other half
Iru manam angae oru manam endraeThere, two hearts become a single heart
Sol sol solSay it, say it, say it
All :Thozhi sol sol solAll: Friend, say it, say it, say it
Chorus
Aayiram penmai malarattumaeLet a thousand womanhoods bloom
Aayiram kangal rasikkattumaeLet a thousand eyes admire
Oruthiyin nenjam oruvanukkendraeYet a woman's heart belongs to only one man
Sol sol sol thozhi sol sol solSay it, say it, say it, my friend, say it, say it, say it!
Chorus
Haaa…aaa…aa…haaa…aaa…Haaa...aaa...aa...haaa...aaa...
Haa.ha..ha…ha…aa.aaa…haa…aaa….Haa.ha..ha...ha...aa.aaa...haa...aaa....
Female
Mannavanae aanaalumEven if you are a ruling king
Ponnalandhu koduthaalumEven if you offer wealth measured in gold
Pen manadhai nee adaiya mudiyaadhuYou cannot win a woman's heart
Vaal munayil kettaalum venchiraiyil pottaalumEven if demanded at the point of a sword or thrown into a harsh prison
Udalandri ullam unnai seraadhuOther than the physical body, her soul will never join you
Aa…aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…Aa...aaa...aaa...aaa...aaa...aaa...aaa...aaa...
Female
Maanum pennum oru jaadhiGentle deer and women share the same delicate nature
Maanam engal thani needhiDignity is our ultimate principle
Thavaru seiyaadhae arugil varaadhaeDo not commit a mistake, do not come near
Nil nil nil mannaa nil nil nilStop, stop, stop, O King, stop, stop, stop!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Aayiram Penmai Malarattumae from Panithirai (1961) is a celebrated lyric by Kannadasan asserting the dignity, self-respect, and moral strength of women. The song declares that while thousands may admire a woman's beauty, her heart belongs loyally to a single soul. It frames love as a balanced partnership where two equal halves merge into one heart.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Adukkuthodaru (Repetition for Emphasis)

Sol sol sol thozhi sol sol sol

The deliberate repetition of words like 'Sol sol sol' and 'Nil nil nil' builds rhythmic momentum and underlines firm conviction.

Etukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Ondrae kaadhal ondrae inbam

The second letter consonant harmony between 'Ondrae' and 'Panbae' creates Tamil poetic rhythm.

Simile / Metaphor (Uwamai)

Maanum pennum oru jaadhi

Comparing women to gentle deer ('Maanum pennum oru jaadhi') highlights purity, grace, and innocence.

Antithesis / Contrast

Udalandri ullam unnai seraadhu

Contrasts the physical forced body ('Udalandri') with the uncapturable soul ('ullam') to demonstrate spiritual freedom.

Did you know?

Trivia

Panithirai (1961) was directed by Muktha Srinivasan starring Gemini Ganesan and B. Saroja Devi. Music was composed by K. V. Mahadevan. This song remains one of Kannadasan's most iconic feminist anthems highlighting women's integrity and agency.

Keep listening

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