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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Annai Bhoomi

From Savale Samali · 1971

Lyricist
Malliyam Rajagopal
Singer
M. S. Vishwanathan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Savale Samali1971

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Annai boomi endru mannaiWe worship the soil calling it Mother Earth
VanangugiromWe bow down and pay our respects
Annai boomi endru mannaiWe worship the soil calling it Mother Earth
VanangugiromWe bow down and pay our respects
Ponnai aval tharuvaal nellin maniyaagaShe gives us gold in the form of paddy grains
Ponnai aval tharuvaal nellin maniyaagaShe gives us gold in the form of paddy grains
Male
Kadhiror muzhamirukkumAn ear of grain extends a cubit long
Kattadithaal kalamirukkumThreshing it fills the entire threshing floor
Kadhiror muzhamirukkum kAn ear of grain extends a cubit long
Kattadithaal kalamirukkumThreshing it fills the entire threshing floor
Adhilor mani nellum yaar uzhaithar yena chollumEvery grain of paddy therein tells who worked hard for it
Adhilor mani nellum yaar uzhaithar yena chollumEvery grain of paddy therein tells who worked hard for it
Male
Varappae thalagaaniThe mud ridge of the field serves as a pillow
Vaikkolae panju methaiThe straw serves as a soft cotton mattress
Marappae kidaiyaadhu maanam enum porvaiyunduThere is no loss of self-respect; honor serves as the blanket
Marappae kidaiyaadhu maanam enum porvaiyunduThere is no loss of self-respect; honor serves as the blanket
Male
Uzhaippae mooladhanamHard labor is our only capital
Urimai illaa ezhai janamWe are poor people devoid of rights
Uzhaippae mooladhanamHard labor is our only capital
Urimai illaa ezhai janamWe are poor people devoid of rights
Azhukkae udalil thaan adhanullae vellai manamThe dirt is only on the physical body, but inside lies a pure white heart
Azhukkae udalil thaan adhanullae vellai manamThe dirt is only on the physical body, but inside lies a pure white heart
Male
Annai boomi endru mannaiWe worship the soil calling it Mother Earth
Vanangugirom…We bow down and pay our respects...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from 'Savale Samali' is a profound ode to Mother Earth and the noble farming community. It portrays the humble yet dignified lives of farmers who revere the soil as a deity that yields golden crops of paddy in exchange for their honest labor. Despite enduring poverty and lacking material luxuries, farmers find satisfaction in their hard work. The lyrics emphasize that while their bodies may be stained with field soil, their hearts remain pure, untainted, and filled with integrity.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvam)

Ponnai aval tharuvaal nellin maniyaaga

Paddy grains are directly compared to gold ('Ponnai aval tharuvaal nellin maniyaaga'), field ridges to pillows ('Varappae thalagaani'), and honor to a blanket ('maanam enum porvaiyundu').

Contrast / Anthesis

Azhukkae udalil thaan adhanullae vellai manam

Contrasts physical dirt on the outside of the farmer's body with the pure white purity of their heart inside.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Varappae thalagaani Vaikkolae panju methai

Repetition of the initial letter/sound sound across words ('Varappae' / 'Vaikkolae', 'Uzhaippae' / 'Urimai').

Did you know?

Trivia

Savale Samali (1971) stars Chevalier Sivaji Ganesan and Jayalalithaa. The music was composed by M. S. Viswanathan with vocals provided by T. M. Soundararajan. The song stands as one of Tamil cinema's most famous tributes to agriculture and the dignity of manual labor.

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