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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Athani Mandapathil

From Magarasi Vazhga · 1976

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
Vani Jairam, P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Magarasi Vazhga
Movie release year
1976
Lyrics added on
24 Oct 2023

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Aththaani mandapaththil muthu muthu dheepam
Annaththin thogai polae
Velli minnal kolam
Aththaani mandapaththil muthu muthu dheepam
Annaththin thogai polae
Velli minnal kolam
Thaai sonna needhi karpu ennum jothi
Thaai sonna needhi karpu ennum jothi
Thanthai sonna vedham thanmaana dheepam
Aththaani mandapaththil muthu muthu dheepam
Annaththin thogai polae
Velli minnal kolam
Selvam enbathu vantha pinbuthaan
Irunda veettilum dheepam
Entha paadhaiyum sendru paarkkalaam
Vaazhvil ennathaan paavam
Selvam enbathu vantha pinbuthaan
Irunda veettilum dheepam
Entha paadhaiyum sendru paarkkalaam
Vaazhvil ennathaan paavam
Ilamaiyin vegam inbamennum raagam
Enna vantha pothum vanthavarai yogam
Aththaani mandapaththil muthu muthu dheepam
Annaththin thogai polae
Velli minnal kolam
Kodi pengalai boomi kandathu
Dheivanmaanaval seethai
Kodi paathaigal mannil ullana
Nermai ondruthaan paathai
Kalai magalaanaal kalvi tharum saaram
Kulamaagalaanaal manai kalangaaram
Aththaani mandapaththil muthu muthu dheepam
Annaththin thogai polae
Velli minnal kolam
Achcham enbathum naanam enbathum
Panjam theerththathae illai
Anthi vaanaththu chandhiran ena
Vaazhnthu paarppatho thollai
Kulamagal naanam iraivanin dheepam
Vazhi thavaraanaal piranthathu paavam
Aththaani mandapaththil muthu muthu dheepam
Annaththin thogai polae
Velli minnal kolam
Lamps like pearls glow in the royal hall,
Spreading like the soft feathers of a swan,
In patterns of silver lightning.
Lamps like pearls glow in the royal hall,
Spreading like the soft feathers of a swan,
In patterns of silver lightning.
The lesson mother taught is the light of virtue,
The lesson mother taught is the light of virtue,
The wisdom father taught is the flame of self-respect.
Lamps like pearls glow in the royal hall,
Spreading like the soft feathers of a swan,
In patterns of silver lightning.
Only after wealth arrives
Does a lamp light up a dark home.
One can try walking down any path,
What is truly a sin in life?
Only after wealth arrives
Does a lamp light up a dark home.
One can try walking down any path,
What is truly a sin in life?
The rush of youth is the melody of pleasure,
Whatever comes, enjoy good fortune as long as it lasts.
Lamps like pearls glow in the royal hall,
Spreading like the soft feathers of a swan,
In patterns of silver lightning.
The earth has seen millions of women,
Yet Sita alone became divine.
There are millions of paths on this earth,
Yet honesty is the only true path.
As the goddess of knowledge, she gives the essence of learning;
As a noble woman, she is the jewel of the home.
Lamps like pearls glow in the royal hall,
Spreading like the soft feathers of a swan,
In patterns of silver lightning.
Old restraints like fear and shyness
Have never wiped out poverty.
Like the distant moon in the evening sky,
Living so strictly is nothing but trouble.
A noble woman's modesty is God's own lamp;
If she strays from the path, her very birth is a sorrow.
Lamps like pearls glow in the royal hall,
Spreading like the soft feathers of a swan,
In patterns of silver lightning.
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Aththaani Mandapaththil from Magarasi Vazhga (1976) presents a poetic debate between opposing worldviews—one representing moral righteousness, traditional virtues, self-respect, and chastity, and the other advocating for material wealth, youth, and practical freedom. Written by Kannadasan and set to tune by M. S. Viswanathan, the song uses rich imagery of royal halls, divine grace, and cultural allegories. Ultimately, the song reinforces that while worldly temptations and paths are many, moral integrity, honesty, and family virtues remain the true lights guiding human existence.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Adukku Thodar (Repetition)

“Aththaani mandapaththil muthu muthu dheepam”

The word 'muthu' is repeated for poetic emphasis to describe the lamp's pearl-like radiance.

Uvamai (Simile)

“Annaththin thogai polae”

Compares the visual beauty of the kolam pattern directly to the plumage of a swan using 'polae'.

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

“Thaai sonna needhi karpu ennum jothi”

Metaphorically equates moral righteousness and parental teachings directly to divine lamps and wisdom.

Iyaibu (Parallelism)

“Thanthai sonna vedham thanmaana dheepam”

Uses parallel structural phrasing contrasting mother's justice with father's wisdom.

Did you know?

Trivia

This track from Magarasi Vazhga (1976) showcases a philosophical debate style (patti mandram format) common in Kannadasan's compositions, set in a duet format between legend singers P. Susheela and Vani Jairam under M. S. Viswanathan's musical direction.

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