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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Arul Peruga

From Rathna Manjari · 1961

Lyricist
Puratchi Dasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
Rajan Nagendra
Details
Rathna Manjari1961

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Arul peruga kalai sindhaMay grace abound and artistic skill overflow,
Azhagu pongida kandenI witnessed beauty overflowing.
Perumaiyulla kamban thamizhIn the majestic Tamil of poet Kamban,
Kai vanna malar kandenI saw a colorful, skillful flower blossom.
Female
Arul peruga kalai sindhaMay grace abound and artistic skill overflow,
Azhagu pongida kandenI witnessed beauty overflowing.
Perumaiyulla kamban thamizhIn the majestic Tamil of poet Kamban,
Kai vanna malar kandenI saw a colorful, skillful flower blossom.
Female
Nedumaran sandhadhiyilIn the noble lineage of King Nedumaran,
Uyiraana kula kodiyooAre you the vital vine of the dynasty?
Nirai penmai vilakaagaStanding as the lamp of perfect womanhood,
Vaazhgindra vinmadhiyoAre you the celestial moon living among us?
Female
Vettriyilae isai nilavumMay music reverberate in your victory,
Venmugathil ezhil thazhuvumMay elegance embrace your fair face,
Muthiyathan thaazh kondaPossessing the profound depth of wisdom,
Sindhaiyilae nee valargaMay you flourish gracefully in your mind.
Female
Noorandu vayathirundhuLiving up to a full hundred years,
Aranjeidhu arasu kanduPerforming noble deeds and witnessing righteous rule,
Paaraandu vaazhndhirundhuRuling over the world with prosperity,
Un pugalai nilai niruthuEstablish your everlasting fame!
Female
Arul peruga kalai sindhaMay grace abound and artistic skill overflow,
Azhagu pongida kandenI witnessed beauty overflowing.
Perumaiyulla kamban thamizhIn the majestic Tamil of poet Kamban,
Kai vanna malar kandenI saw a colorful, skillful flower blossom.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic song from Rathna Manjari (1961) is a poetic ode extolling the beauty, virtue, and royal nobility of a woman. Using high literary Tamil, the lyricist Puratchi Dasan compares her presence to the artistic grandeur of poet Kamban's Tamil verse and a blossoming floral masterpiece. She is praised as the living embodiment of womanhood, likened to a radiant celestial moon and a vital vine descending from the historic Pandyan monarch Nedumaran. The second stanza offers profound blessings for her future, wishing her a mind filled with wisdom, victory accompanied by sweet music, and a long life of a hundred years filled with righteousness and leadership. Ultimately, it calls upon her to leave behind an enduring legacy of glory and fame.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Arul peruga kalai sindha / Azhagu pongida kanden

The initial letter 'A' is repeated across consecutive lines ('Arul' and 'Azhagu'), creating melodic harmony in Tamil poetry.

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Nirai penmai vilakaaga / Vaazhgindra vinmadhiyo

The subject is metaphorically described as 'Nirai penmai vilakaaga' (a glowing lamp of complete womanhood) and 'Vinmadhiyo' (the celestial moon living on earth).

Literary & Historical Allusion

Perumaiyulla kamban thamizh / Nedumaran sandhadhiyil

Direct references to legendary epic poet Kamban ('Kamban thamizh') and ancient Pandyan King Nedumaran ('Nedumaran sandhadhiyil') to evoke grandeur and ancient lineage.

Edhukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Aranjeidhu arasu kandu / Paaraandu vaazhndhirundhu

The second consonant sound 'ra' rhymes across lines ('Aranjeidhu' and 'Paaraandu'), establishing rhythmic flow.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by the renowned Kannada-Tamil composer duo Rajan-Nagendra, 'Rathna Manjari' (1961) featured lyrics by Puratchi Dasan who was known for blending classical literary Tamil roots with mainstream cinema. Singer P. Susheela's rendition of this song is celebrated for its precise Tamil diction and classical nuances.

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