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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ayyathorai

From Ayya · 2005

Lyricist
Pa. Vijay
Singers
P. Balaram, Ragavendar
Music director
Bharathwaj
Details
Ayya2005

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
{Kovil kullam kandathilla{Neither temples nor temple tanks have ever seen
Ippadi orr saami…A deity like this...
Punniyam than senchirukkuMust have accumulated good virtues,
Thenkasi bhoomi …} (2)The land of Thenkasi...} (2)
Male
Vaanam thenchu pochuThe sky was worn out,
Bhoomi kaanchu pochuThe land dried up,
Ezhai enngala yemathi …Deceiving us poor people...
Male
Kelakku irutti pochuThe east turned dark,
Mekka maranchu pochuThe west vanished,
Kalam enghala yemaathi …Time betrayed us...
Male
Mannodu makkalaiyumAlong with the land and the people,
Thathudetha rasaOh king who adopted us,
Innorukka enngalathanOnce again us,
Pethedutha rasaOh king who gave birth to us!
Male
{Ayyathorai{Ayyathorai,
Nee pallaandu vaazhaanumMay you live long for many years,
Ayyathorai} (2)Ayyathorai} (2)
Male
Oorukkulla aaru vanthuA river came into the village,
Yeru poottathan solluthaiyyaaAsking us to hitch the plow, sir.
Thaerukkulla saami vanthuThe deity came inside the chariot,
Kaappu kattathan kekkuthaiyyaa …Asking us to tie the sacred thread, sir...
Male
Nella vedhaichu parthaWhen we sowed paddy seeds,
Ippo soru vezhaiyudhu aathaa..Now cooked rice grows, mother...
Pulla vedhaichu paarthaWhen we sowed grass,
Ippo ellu vezhaiyudhu aathaa..Now sesame grows, mother...
Female
Kaannukkettum thooramAs far as the eye can see,
Panjam yedhum illaThere is no famine at all.
Nenjukkettum thooramAs far as the heart can reach,
Thunbam edhum illaThere is no sorrow at all.
Male
{Ayyathorai{Ayyathorai,
Nee pallaandu vaazhaanumMay you live long for many years,
Ayyathorai} (2)Ayyathorai} (2)
Female
Paarai kallum paadham pattuEven rocky stones, touched by your feet,
Pacha nelam aanadhaeBecame lush green land.
Pattiniyum thooramaagaAnd starvation ran far away,
Odi ponathaeFleeing from us.
Female
Thoora pattu patta polaLike silk washed in distant waters,
Enghal nenju aanathaeOur hearts became pure.
Thondai kuzhi thaagam theernthuThe thirst in the throat was quenched,
Eeram aanathae….And became moist...
Female
Ahaa….aaa…….Ahaa...aaa...
Male
Bhoomiyillum kalavu varumImpurities and theft may exist in the earth,
Unga natpula paludhillayaeBut there is no flaw in your friendship.
Pasumpaallum kara vadiyumEven pure cow's milk can curdle,
Unngha oravila kora illaiyaeThere is no defect in your bond.
Male
Vella vetti kattaTo wear a white dhoti,
Nalla vella ullam venumOne needs a pure white heart.
Unga mogatha kandaaWhen looking at your face,
Engha thaiya pola thonumIt feels like looking at our mother.
Female
Nalladhaiyum seiyaTo do good deeds,
Kaiya neettum saamiYou are the deity who extends hands.
Ulladhaiyae sollaTo speak only the truth,
Vaai thirakkum saamiYou are the deity who opens his mouth.
Male
{Ayyathorai{Ayyathorai,
Nee pallaandu vaazhaanumMay you live long for many years,
Ayyathorai} (2)Ayyathorai} (2)
Female
{Ayyathorai{Ayyathorai,
Nee pallaandu vaazhaanumMay you live long for many years,
Ayyathorai} (2)Ayyathorai} (2)

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a grand ode sung by the village folk in celebration of Ayyathorai, a compassionate and selfless leader in the Thenkasi region. The villagers express immense reverence towards him, regarding him as a living god and a motherly protector who turned their drought-stricken, barren lives into a haven of prosperity and happiness. Through vivid agricultural metaphors, the lyrics depict how his presence transformed hard rocks into fertile green fields and washed away their long-standing famine and sorrow. Overall, it is a prayer for his longevity and a tribute to his unblemished character, generosity, and truthfulness.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Ippadi orr saami…

Elevates Ayyathorai from a human leader to a divine god ('Ippadi orr saami') and a maternal figure ('Engha thaiya pola thonum') who protects the village.

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navitchi)

Nella vedhaichu partha / Ippo soru vezhaiyudhu aathaa..

Exaggerates the immense fertility brought by Ayyathorai's presence, claiming that sowing paddy directly yields cooked rice.

Ethirai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Nella vedhaichu partha / Pulla vedhaichu paartha

Matching of the second consonant sound across lines ('lla' sound in Nella and Pulla).

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Vaanam thenchu pochu / Bhoomi kaanchu pochu

Matching end sounds across lines ('pochu').

Did you know?

Trivia

The song features in the 2005 hit Tamil movie 'Ayya', directed by Hari and starring Sarathkumar in a dual role. 'Ayya' is notably famous for marking the Tamil film debut of actress Nayanthara. The music for the film was composed by Bharadwaj, and the lyrics were written by Pa. Vijay.

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