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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ariyanaiyil Poiyirunthu

From Annai Abirami · 1972

Lyricist
Lyricist Not Known
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
Kunnakudi Vaithiyanathan
Details
Annai Abirami1972

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Ariyanaiyil poiyyirunthuFalsehood sitting on the throne,
Arasaala vanthathammaaHas come to rule, oh mother!
Ariyanaiyil poiyyirunthuFalsehood sitting on the throne,
Arasaala vanthathammaaHas come to rule, oh mother!
Vaithegi ramanai polJust like Sita and Rama,
Vanavaasam ponathammaaTruth has gone into exile in the forest, oh mother!
Unmai vanavaasam ponathammaaIndeed, Truth has gone into exile in the forest, oh mother!
Female
Ariyanaiyil poiyyirunthuFalsehood sitting on the throne,
Arasaala vanthathammaaHas come to rule, oh mother!
Female
Adharmam dharmathai thannaiUnrighteousness is eager to,
Azhikkavae thudikkuthammaaDestroy righteousness itself, oh mother!
Adharmam dharmathai thannaiUnrighteousness is eager to,
Azhikkavae thudikkuthammaaDestroy righteousness itself, oh mother!
Kilarchchi padai naduvaeAmidst the ranks of a rebellious army,
Geethai olikkuthammaaThe wisdom of Gita echoes, oh mother!
Geethai olikkuthammaa…The wisdom of Gita echoes, oh mother!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from Annai Abirami (1972) laments the triumph of falsehood over truth in governance and society. It uses powerful allegories to describe how unrighteousness (Adharma) occupies thrones of power while truth (Satyam) is banished into exile, drawing a direct parallel to Lord Rama and Vaidehi (Sita) being sent to the forest. Despite the dominance of evil forces attempting to destroy moral virtue, the song holds onto spiritual resilience, noting that the divine teachings of the Bhagavad Gita continue to echo like a guiding light even amidst chaos and turmoil.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor / Epic Allusion (Uvamaani)

Vaithegi ramanai pol vanavaasam ponathammaa

Compares the exile of truth in contemporary times to the forest exile of Rama and Sita (Vaidehi) from the Ramayana.

Antithesis / Contrast

Ariyanaiyil poiyyirunthu ... Unmai vanavaasam ponathammaa

Contrasts falsehood sitting on a royal throne ('poiyyirunthu arasaala') with truth being banished into the woods ('unmai vanavaasam').

Monai (Initial Assonance / Alliteration)

Ariyanaiyil poiyyirunthu arasaala vanthathammaa

Repetition of the initial 'A' sound across words in the line ('Ariyanaiyil', 'Arasaala').

Personification

Adharmam dharmathai thannai azhikkavae thudikkuthammaa

Personifies abstract concepts like Dharma (Righteousness) and Adharma (Unrighteousness) as active beings engaged in a battle for survival.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is composed by the renowned classical violinist and composer Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan, sung soulfully by P. Susheela. Known for combining Carnatic ragas with dramatic cinematic themes, the soundtrack enhances the emotional and moral weight of the film Annai Abirami (1972).

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