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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Adi Aathi Nee Yaruku Pethi

From Kanavan · 1968

Lyricist
Aalangudi Somu
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Kanavan1968

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Adiyaathi… aathi…Oh my goodness... my oh my...
Adiyaathi yarukku nee paethiOh my goodness, whose granddaughter are you?
Un aanavathai maathiChange your arrogance,
Indha ezhaigalai yereduthuLook up at these poor people,
Paarammaa raajaathi… ee…Look at us, my princess... oh...
Paarammaa raajaathiLook at us, my princess.
Male
Adiyaathi yarukku nee paethiOh my goodness, whose granddaughter are you?
Un aanavathai maathiChange your arrogance,
Indha ezhaigalai yereduthuLook up at these poor people,
Paarammaa raajaathi… ee…Look at us, my princess... oh...
Paarammaa raajaathiLook at us, my princess.
Male
Adakkamindri nadappadhu thaanIs behaving without modesty
Naagareegamowhat you call civilization?
Pirarai adakki aala ninaippadhilaeIs ruling over others by suppressing them
Unakku mogamoyour obsession?
Chaiyaa chappaan diyo dimmaaChaiyaa chappaan diyo dimmaa
Dangiri pappaa dinghiri bimbiDangiri pappaa dinghiri bimbi
Chorus
Chaiyaa chappaan diyo dimmaaChaiyaa chappaan diyo dimmaa
Dangiri pappaa dinghiri bimbiDangiri pappaa dinghiri bimbi
Male
Adakkamindri nadappadhu thaanIs behaving without modesty
Naagareegamowhat you call civilization?
Pirarai adakki aala ninaippadhilaeIs ruling over others by suppressing them
Unakku moghamoyour obsession?
Padithirundhum panbugalai marakkalaagumoThough educated, should you forget good virtues?
Pana bodhaiyilae eliyavarai verukkalaagumoDrunk on wealth, should you hate the poor?
Male
Adiyaathi… aathi…Oh my goodness... my oh my...
Adiyaathi yarukku nee paethiOh my goodness, whose granddaughter are you?
Un aanavathai maathiChange your arrogance,
Indha ezhaigalai yereduthuLook up at these poor people,
Paarammaa raajaathi… ee…Look at us, my princess... oh...
Paarammaa raajaathiLook at us, my princess.
Male
Arumaiyilum arumaiyaagaMost precious among precious things,
Piravi kidaikkudhuhuman birth is obtained;
Adhil karunaiyulla manidharai thaanIn it, only compassionate human beings
Perumai anaikkudhuare embraced by true glory.
Hoi chaiyaa chappaan diyo dimmaaHey! Chaiyaa chappaan diyo dimmaa
Dangiri pappaa dinghiri bimbiDangiri pappaa dinghiri bimbi
Chorus
Chaiyaa chappaan diyo dimmaaChaiyaa chappaan diyo dimmaa
Dangiri pappaa dinghiri bimbiDangiri pappaa dinghiri bimbi
Male
Uruttu kannum mirattu chollumRolling eyes and threatening words
Tharathinai kuraikkumdiminish one's worth;
Ondrai uruppadiyaai seidhu vaithaalIf you accomplish something worthwhile,
Sarithiram pirakkum… hoihistory will be born... hey!
Male
Adiyaathi… aathi…Oh my goodness... my oh my...
Male
Adhigaaram seidhavanoHe who acted with authoritarian power
Aattathaii mudithaanended his play;
Ingae anbu vazhi nadandhavanoBut he who walked the path of love here
Naattinai pidithaanwon the hearts of the nation.
Adhigaaram seidhavanoHe who acted with authoritarian power
Aattathaii mudithaanended his play;
Ingae anbu vazhi nadandhavanoBut he who walked the path of love here
Naattinai pidithaanwon the hearts of the nation.
Idhu uzhaippavarin porkkaalam ulaga yaettilaeThis is the golden era of workers in world history;
Uzhaippavarin porkkaalam ulaga yaettilaeThe golden era of workers in world history;
Ini ethargal varungaalam kuppai maettilaeHereafter, the future of oppressors is on the garbage dump!
Male
Adiyaathi… aathi…Oh my goodness... my oh my...
Adiyaathi yarukku nee paethiOh my goodness, whose granddaughter are you?
Un aanavathai maathiChange your arrogance,
Indha ezhaigalai yereduthuLook up at these poor people,
Paarammaa raajaathi… ee…Look at us, my princess... oh...
Paarammaa raajaathiLook at us, my princess.
Male
Chaiyaa chappaan diyo dimmaaChaiyaa chappaan diyo dimmaa
Dangiri pappaa dinghiri bimbiDangiri pappaa dinghiri bimbi
Chorus
Chaiyaa chappaan diyo dimmaaChaiyaa chappaan diyo dimmaa
Dangiri pappaa dinghiri bimbiDangiri pappaa dinghiri bimbi

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic song from the 1968 film 'Kanavan' is a social commentary aimed at calling out elite arrogance and promoting egalitarian values. The protagonist chides an arrogant woman of privilege, questioning whether modern civilization merely means lacking modesty and suppressing the less fortunate. He emphasizes that true human dignity lies in empathy, virtuous behavior, and meaningful contributions rather than wealth and power. The song celebrates the rise of the working class and foretells the downfall of oppressive elites, framing compassion and love as the true path to lasting history.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)

Adakkamindri nadappadhu thaan / Pirarai adakki aala ninaippadhilae

The second consonant 'da' rhymes between 'Adakkamindri' and 'Adakki' across adjacent lines, creating rhythmic harmony.

Monaai (Alliteration / First letter rhyming)

Uruttu kannum mirattu chollum ... Ondrai uruppadiyaai seidhu vaithaal

The opening sound 'Uruttu' matches 'Uruppadiyaai', creating an initial alliterative rhythm.

Rhetorical Questioning

Padithirundhum panbugalai marakkalaagumo

The lyricist uses rhetorical questions like 'Padithirundhum panbugalai marakkalaagumo' to provoke introspection regarding education without moral integrity.

Metaphor

Pana bodhaiyilae eliyavarai verukkalaagumo

The phrase 'Pana bodhai' compares wealth to an intoxicating liquor that blinds people to social empathy.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Kanavan' (1968) starred M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) and Jayalalithaa in lead roles, with music composed by M. S. Viswanathan and lyrics written by Aalangudi Somu. Sung brilliantly by T. M. Soundararajan, this track features MGR's signature socio-political messaging emphasizing labor rights and egalitarian ideals.

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