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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Avani Ellam

From Kaanchi Thalaivan · 1963

Lyricist
Aalangudi Somu
Singers
S. V. Ponnusami, L. R. Eswari
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Kaanchi Thalaivan1963

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Avaniyellaam pugazh manakkumThe fame of the precious city of Kanchi
Arumaik kaanji nagaramFragrant across the entire world,
Male
Namma arumai kaanji nagaramOur precious city of Kanchi,
Adhu azhagukkellaam sigaramIt stands as the pinnacle of all beauty.
Female
Thoranam kattiya veedhiyilae..ae….haeIn the streets adorned with festive garlands,
Male
Thanga thaerodi varum velaiyilae..ae… haeAt the moment when the golden chariot rolls along,
Female
Thogai mayilena aadiduvomLet us dance like peacocks with unfurled feathers!
Female Chorus :Thogai mayilena aadiduvomFemale Chorus: Let us dance like peacocks with unfurled feathers!
Male
Kaanji tharaniyai vaazhthiyae paadiduvomLet us sing praising the land of Kanchi!
Male Chorus :Kaanji tharaniyai vaazhthiyae paadiduvomMale Chorus: Let us sing praising the land of Kanchi!
Male
Kulai vaazhai thannai thaanaeThe fruit-laden banana trees themselves
Vilai koorudhuProclaim their own worth,
Karumbu koottathilae thendral vandhuThrough the thickets of sugarcane, the southern breeze
Nadai podudhuStruts with a graceful gait,
Male
Malaiyellaam kavidhai pongumAcross all the mountains, poetry overflows
SilaiyaagudhuTo turn them into fine sculptures,
Male
Namma magaraasan kanavu ingaeHere, the dream of our great king
NiraivaerudhuIs coming to fruition.
Female
Valai veesi meen pidikka kadalirukkuThere is the ocean to cast nets and catch fish,
Nee vilaiyaada pallavathin madiyirukkuThere is the lap of the Pallava realm for you to play,
Female
Valai veesi meen pidikka kadalirukkuThere is the ocean to cast nets and catch fish,
Nee vilaiyaada pallavathin madiyirukkuThere is the lap of the Pallava realm for you to play,
Kalai kaakka narasimman thunaiyirukkuKing Narasimhan is there to guard and cherish the arts,
Kalai kaakka narasimman thunaiyirukkuKing Narasimhan is there to guard and cherish the arts,
Kannae kaniyamudhaeMy precious darling, sweet as nectar fruit,
Unnaal endhan uyirirukkuMy life endures because of you,
Kannae kaniyamudhaeMy precious darling, sweet as nectar fruit,
Unnaal endhan uyirirukkuMy life endures because of you.
Male
( Ooo…ooo….ooo….ooo….ooooo… } (Overlap)( Vocalizing overlap )
Female
Kannam sivandhida koondhal kalandhidaWith cheeks flushed red and hair disheveled,
Enna nadandhadhu kooradiTell me, what happened?
Undhan ennam kavarndhavan yaaradiWho is the one who stole your heart?
Kannam sivandhida koondhal kalandhidaWith cheeks flushed red and hair disheveled,
Enna nadandhadhu kooradiTell me, what happened?
Undhan ennam kavarndhavan yaaradiWho is the one who stole your heart?
Veera nadaiyaalano yaanai padaiyaalanoIs he one with a heroic stride, or a leader of elephant forces?
Female
Makkal idar vellum kodai vallalIs he a philanthropist who conquers the afflictions of the people,
Narasimman pondravano… oo…Resembling King Narasimhan himself?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from 'Kaanchi Thalaivan' celebrates the opulence, artistic glory, and prosperous rule of the Pallava dynasty in the ancient capital city of Kanchipuram. The early verses paint a picture of festive celebration, bountiful nature where fruit trees and gentle breezes seem alive, and an empire where mountains are carved into poetic stone sculptures under the visionary leadership of King Narasimhavarman.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Upama (Simile / உவமை)

Thogai mayilena aadiduvom

Compares the dancers to peacocks with unfurled feathers dancing gracefully during the chariot festival.

Tharkurippetratra Ani (Personification)

Kulai vaazhai thannai thaanae vilai koorudhu / Karumbu koottathilae thendral vandhu nadai podudhu

Personifies nature by describing banana trees setting their own price and the southern breeze taking a walk through sugarcane fields.

Atisayokti (Hyperbole / உயர்வு நவிற்சி அணி)

Malaiyellaam kavidhai pongum silaiyaagudhu

Exaggerates the natural beauty and rock-cut architectural marvels of Kanchi by stating that poetry overflows from mountains turning into statues.

Edukka (Monai / Rhyme and Alliteration)

Kannam sivandhida koondhal kalandhida

Uses internal rhythmic rhyming words 'sivandhida' and 'kalandhida' to enhance musicality.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Kaanchi Thalaivan' (1963) stars M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) as Pallava king Narasimhavarman I (Mamallan). The lyrics by Aalangudi Somu honor the historical architectural achievements of the Pallavas, such as the rock-cut temples of Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram.

Keep listening

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