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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Avasiyam Avasiyam

From Pudhu Vazhvu · 1957

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
T. Gajalakshmi
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Movie name
Pudhu Vazhvu
Movie release year
1957
Lyrics added on
15 Jul 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Avasiyam avasiyam avasiyam
Idhu avasiyam idhu avasiyam
Kannillamal padikka mudiyumaa
Kaatchigalai kaana mudiyuma
Kaadhillamal ketka mudiyuma
Kaliyugathai rasikka mudiyumaa
Kannum pennum onnnaagum
Ena kavigal sonnadhu ennaagum
Kaathu thaan thiravukolaagaum
Kalai karpanai yendhidum noolaagum
Appadi paarthaalum ippadi paarhalum
Avasiyam avasiyam avasiyam
Idhu avasiyam idhu avasiyam
Kannum kannumae kalandhu vittaal
Kaariyam sithiyaagatha kaariyam sithiyaagathaa
Kaadhal ragasiyam pesidavae kaadhugal udhavi seiyaadha
Kaadhugal udhavi seiyaadha
Ooo munnae pogum aatkalai kavanikka
Kannuthanadi avasiyam kannuthandi avasiyam
Pinnae pesum pechukalai kavanikka kaadhuthaanadi
Avasiyam kaadhuthaanadi avasiyam appadiyaa
Kannudaiyavar enbavar kattrror mugathirandu
Punnudaiyoor kallaadhaar endrae
Valluvan sonnadhu poiaagumaa
Thiruvalluvan sonnadhu poi aagumaa poi aagumaa
Selvathutselvam sevi selvam
Achchelvam selvathul ellaam thalai
Adhae valluvan sonnadhu poi aagumaa
Thiruvalluvan sonnadhu poi aagumaa poi aagumaa
Mugathilae ulla thirandum avasiyam
Aana moonaavadhum kooda avasiyam
Mugathilae ulla thirandum avasiyam
Moonaavadha pinnae adhu veenaavadha puriyavillaiyae
Kaalam ellam nee arivudan vaazhndhida
Moolai thaanadi avasiyam
Moolao irundhum kozhaigal aanaal
Aalirunthu enna avasiyam …appadiyaa…
Essential, essential, essential!
This is essential, this is essential!
Can you read without eyes?
Can you ever see the sights of the world?
Can you listen without ears?
Can you enjoy the world of art?
"Eyes and women are one and the same,"
What will become of what the poets said?
The ear is the key that opens the door,
The thread that holds art and imagination!
Whether you look at it this way or that way,
Essential, essential, essential!
This is essential, this is essential!
If eyes meet eyes and merge,
Won't the purpose be fulfilled? Won't it succeed?
To whisper secrets of love, won't ears help?
Won't ears help?
Oh, to watch the people walking ahead,
Eyes are essential, girl, eyes are essential!
To catch the words spoken behind your back, ears are...
Essential, girl, ears are essential! ...Is that so?
"Those with eyes are the learned; on their faces,"
"The unlearned merely have two sores"—
Can what Valluvar said ever be false?
Can what Thiruvalluvar said ever be false? Ever be false?
"The greatest wealth of all is the wealth gained through listening,"
"That wealth is foremost among all riches"—
Can what that same Valluvar said ever be false?
Can what Thiruvalluvar said ever be false? Ever be false?
Both of these on the face are essential,
But a third thing is also essential!
Both of these on the face are essential,
A third one? Then do these become useless? I don't understand!
For you to live with wisdom all your life,
A brain is what is truly essential, girl!
Even with a brain, if people turn into fools,
What is the use of being around? ...Is that so?
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This playful philosophical duet from 'Pudhu Vazhvu' (1957) explores the relative importance of human senses and faculties—specifically the eyes (vision), ears (listening), and brain (intellectual courage). Through lighthearted banter, the singer highlights how physical senses are essential for enjoying life, falling in love, and keeping alert, backed up by classical Thirukkural couplets from Thiruvalluvar. Ultimately, the lyrics climax in a moral lesson: while physical senses on the face like eyes and ears are indispensable, the third essential organ—the brain—is paramount. However, possessing intellect alone is useless if one lacks courage and character; a coward with a brain serves no true purpose.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Anaphora / Repetition (Adukkuthodar)

“Avasiyam avasiyam avasiyam”

Repetition of 'Avasiyam' (necessary) at the beginning emphasizes urgency and fundamental need.

Alliteration (Monaai)

“Kannillamal padikka mudiyumaa”

Repetition of initial consonant sound 'K' (Kannillamal, Kaatchigalai, Kaadhillamal, Kaliyugathai) across consecutive lines.

Literary Allusion (Thirukkural Quotation)

“Kannudaiyavar enbavar kattrror mugathirandu”

Direct citation of Thirukkural 393 ('Kannudaiyavar enbavar kattrror...'), referencing Thiruvalluvar's wisdom on education and sight.

Literary Allusion (Thirukkural Quotation)

“Selvathutselvam sevi selvam”

Direct citation of Thirukkural 411 ('Selvathutselvam sevi selvam...'), praising listening comprehension as the ultimate wealth.

Pun / Wordplay (Sledai)

“Moonaavadha pinnae adhu veenaavadha puriyavillaiyae”

Play on the word 'Veenaavadha' which can mean 'becoming a Veena (lute)' or 'becoming wasted/useless'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Lyricist A. Maruthakasi cleverly weaves two famous Thirukkurals (Couplets 393 and 411) into film lyric format, making classical Tamil literature accessible and entertaining in popular cinema culture.

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