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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Carile Savari Seiyum

From Enga Veettu Mahalaskhmi · 1957

Lyricist
Udumalai Narayanakavi
Singer
Ghantasala
Music director
Master Venu
Movie name
Enga Veettu Mahalaskhmi
Movie release year
1957
Lyrics added on
28 Apr 2022

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Carilae savari seiyum
Kannam sivandha ponnamma
Un kannam sivandhadhu enna endru nee
Enni paarthdhum undaama
Ooril vaazhum ezhai pennugalin
Uzhaippin panamae unaveaagi
Ooril vaazhum ezhai pennugalin
Uzhaippin panamae unaveaagi
Unavin rasndhaan kozhuppaai maari
Un melae jollikudhu theriyuma
Carilae savari seiyum
Kannam sivandha ponnamma
Un seerum sirappulla singaara vaazhvai
Kooruven konjam nidhaniyamma
Panju methai manjam meedhu
Paduthu thoongum ponnamma
Panju methai manjam meedhu
Paduthu thoongum ponnamma
Un panju methai manjam vandhadhai
Nenjil ninaithadhum undamoo
Vanjamillar vazhakkamaanar
Vaazha theriya ezhaiyaanaar
Vanjamillar vazhakkamaanar
Vaazha theriya ezhaiyaanaar
Kanjikaagavae kastapadubavar
Kai thiramai enna theriyuma
Carilae savari seiyum
Kannam sivandha ponnamma
Un seerum sirappulla singaara vaazhvai
Kooruven konjam nidhaniyamma
Piditha pidikkul adangum salla
Udaikkul minukkum ponnamma
Piditha pidikkul adangum salla
Udaikkul minukkum ponnamma
Nee uduthum saelaiyundaana unmaiyai
Unarndhu paarthadhum undaamoo
Kizhindha kovanam tharitham varumai
Piditha maandhrgal neithaar kandaai
Kizhindha kovanam tharitham varumai
Piditha maandhrgal neithaar kandaai
Uzhaikka pala per sugikka sila per
Irukka inimel mudiyathamma
Carilae savari seiyum
Kannam sivandha ponnamma
Un seerum sirappulla singaara vaazhvai
Kooruven konjam nidhaniyamma
Riding in a car,
O rosy-cheeked Ponnamma,
why your cheeks have turned so rosy,
have you ever stopped to think?
The poor women living in this town—
the money from their labor became your food,
the poor women living in this town—
the money from their labor became your food,
and the richness of that food turned to fat,
shining on your skin—do you even realize that?
Riding in a car,
O rosy-cheeked Ponnamma,
about your grand, luxurious lifestyle,
let me tell you—wait and listen a moment...
Upon a soft cotton mattress and bed,
you lie down and sleep, Ponnamma!
Upon a soft cotton mattress and bed,
you lie down and sleep, Ponnamma!
How that soft cotton bed came to be,
have you ever wondered in your heart?
Guileless people became the usual victims,
becoming poor folk who know not how to scheme;
guileless people became the usual victims,
becoming poor folk who know not how to scheme;
do you know the craft and skill of the hands
of those who struggle just for a bowl of porridge?
Riding in a car,
O rosy-cheeked Ponnamma,
about your grand, luxurious lifestyle,
let me tell you—wait and listen a moment...
Dressed in fine cloth so sheer it fits in a fist,
you dazzle in your clothes, Ponnamma!
Dressed in fine cloth so sheer it fits in a fist,
you dazzle in your clothes, Ponnamma!
The truth of how the saree you wear was made,
have you ever tried to realize?
Wearing nothing but torn rags,
people trapped in poverty wove it, you see!
Wearing nothing but torn rags,
people trapped in poverty wove it, you see!
Many people toiling while just a few enjoy—
this state of affairs can go on no longer!
Riding in a car,
O rosy-cheeked Ponnamma,
about your grand, luxurious lifestyle,
let me tell you—wait and listen a moment...
Male
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Male
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song is a sharp social commentary that exposes the stark economic divide in society. Addressing an affluent woman riding in a car, the singer asks her to reflect on the origins of her luxury, health, and comfort. Her rosy cheeks, soft cotton bed, and fine muslin sarees are not merely items of wealth—they are the fruits of the relentless, backbreaking labor of impoverished workers, weavers, and honest poor women who themselves struggle for basic sustenance and wear torn loincloths.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaibu (Rhyme)

“Kannam sivandha ponnamma”

Repetition of ending sounds across lines such as 'ponnamma', 'undaama', and 'nidhaniyamma' creates a rhythmic, musical flow.

Social Contrast & Irony

“Kizhindha kovanam tharitham varumai / Piditha maandhrgal neithaar kandaai”

Contrasting the lady's fine muslin cloth and rich lifestyle with the weaver's torn loincloth and extreme poverty.

Hyperbole & Imagery

“Piditha pidikkul adangum salla”

Describing fine muslin cloth so delicate and soft that an entire garment can be folded to fit inside a closed fist.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by Udumalai Narayanakavi, known as 'Kavirayar', this song reflects his strong socialist ideology and Dravidian movement leanings. The song uses Ghantasala's distinct voice to critique class inequality directly through Tamil cinema music in the 1950s.

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