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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Appodhu Nalla Thangaa

From Vaazhga Valarga · 1987

Lyricist
Isaignani Ilayaraja
Singer
K. S. Chithra
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Vaazhga Valarga1987

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics↻ English translation
Female
Appodhu nalla thangaaThen, the virtuous Thanga...
Elang kodiyum…The tender vine-like mother...
Ovvoru makkalaai thallinaaPushed each of her children...
Kenathukkullae…Into the deep well...
Odiya thalai maganum…The eldest son who ran up...
Uthamikkae uraippaan…Pleaded with the virtuous mother...
Ennai thaan kollaadhaeDo not kill me...
Ennai petra maadhaavae…Oh mother who gave birth to me...
Female
Oru pillai petruHaving given birth to a single child,
Ulagathaiyae aalalaiyaaCould one not rule the entire world?
Ezhu pillai petrumalloYet despite giving birth to seven children,
Ezhai madhi aanaai ammaaYou have lost your wisdom to poverty, mother.
Maadu maechu kanji koduppen maadhaavaeI will graze cattle and bring you porridge, mother,
Ennai thaan kollaa venamPlease do not kill me...
Ennai petra maadhaavae…Oh mother who gave birth to me...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song captures the heart-wrenching climax of the traditional Tamil folk legend of Nallathangal. Overcome by extreme famine, poverty, and humiliation, the mother decides to throw her seven children into a well to end their suffering before ending her own life. In this excerpt, her eldest son desperately pleads for his life, offering to work hard grazing cattle to earn food for her, while lamenting how severe poverty drove his mother to lose her wisdom and commit such a tragic act.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai)

“Elang kodiyum…”

The phrase 'Elang kodi' (tender vine) is a traditional Tamil metaphor used to describe a gentle and delicate woman, contrasting her tender nature with her desperate actions.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

“Ezhu pillai petrumallo / Ezhai madhi aanaai ammaa”

The words 'Ezhu' and 'Ezhai' start with matching initial vowel sounds ('E'), adhering to classical Tamil poetic meter.

Anaphora / Repetition

“Ennai thaan kollaadhae / Ennai petra maadhaavae…”

The repetition of 'Ennai' (Me) at the beginning of consecutive lines underscores the child's raw, desperate plea for survival.

Did you know?

Trivia

This track is based on 'Nallathangal Kathai', a famous centuries-old Tamil folk ballad belonging to the oral storytelling tradition of Tamil Nadu, which depicts extreme drought, famine, and tragic grief.

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