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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Dhanam Avasiyam Dhanam

From Pudhu Vazhvu · 1957

Lyricist
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
Singer
M. K. Thiyagaraja Bagavathar
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Movie name
Pudhu Vazhvu
Movie release year
1957
Lyrics added on
6 Jul 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Dhanam avasiyam dhanam avasiyam
Manamae dhanam avasiyam adhanaal sagalamum vasiyam
Dhanam avasiyam adhanaal sagalamum vasiyam
Nidhanam avasiyam adhanaal sagalamum vasiyam
Nidhanam avasiyam adhanaal sagalamum vasiyam
Annadhanam avasiyam adhanaal sagalamum vasiyam
Annadhanam avasiyam adhanaal sagalamum vasiyam
Samadhanam avasiyam adhanaal sagalamum vasiyam
Samadhanam avasiyam adhanaal sagalamum vasiyam
Gnyaanam kuraindhu
Gnyaanam kuraindhu naliyum maandhar
Gnyaanam kuraindhu naliyum maandhar
Kodumai agala ulagam samadhanam avasiyam
Kodumai agala ulagam samadhanam avasiyam
Vallalenum arul mannavar sonna
Vallalenum arul mannavar sonna
Vaarthaiyil pootha nan nerthiyum enna
Vallalenum arul mannavar sonna
Vaarthaiyil pootha nan nerthiyum enna
Thalla mudiyumoo melorgal sonna
Thalla mudiyumoo melorgal sonna
Dhaanathil ellaam thayai migum
Anna dhaanam avasiyam
Dhaanathil ellaam thayai migum
Anna dhaanam avasiyam
Samadhaanam avasiyam
Nidhaanam avasiyam adhanaal sagalamum vasiyam
Charity is essential, charity is essential
O mind, charity is essential; through it, everything is won over
Charity is essential, and through it, everything is won over
Patience is essential, and through it, everything is won over
Patience is essential, and through it, everything is won over
Feeding the hungry is essential, and through it, everything is won over
Feeding the hungry is essential, and through it, everything is won over
Peace is essential, and through it, everything is won over
Peace is essential, and through it, everything is won over
When wisdom fades...
When wisdom fades, humankind suffers
When wisdom fades, humankind suffers
For cruelty to end, peace in the world is essential
For cruelty to end, peace in the world is essential
Spoken by the benevolent king of grace,
Spoken by the benevolent king of grace,
How great is the beauty blossoming in his words!
Spoken by the benevolent king of grace,
How great is the beauty blossoming in his words!
Can we ever ignore what the wise elders have said?
Can we ever ignore what the wise elders have said?
Of all acts of giving, filled with greatest kindness,
Feeding the hungry is essential
Of all acts of giving, filled with greatest kindness,
Feeding the hungry is essential
Peace is essential
Patience is essential, and through it, everything is won over....
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This classic song performed by M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar uses clever phonetic wordplay around the term 'dhanam' (wealth) to reflect on human life, moral values, and spiritual wisdom. While material wealth ('Dhanam') is commonly sought after to control or achieve things in the world, the lyricist expands the concept to higher spiritual virtues: composure/patience ('Nidhanam'), charity/food donation ('Annadhanam'), and peace/harmony ('Samadhanam'). The song stresses that real eradication of human suffering and world cruelty comes through wisdom, peace, and selfless charity, as taught by benevolent rulers and wise ancestors.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Yugmam / Wordplay (Yamakam)

“Dhanam avasiyam... Nidhanam avasiyam... Annadhanam avasiyam... Samadhanam avasiyam”

Clever repetition and extension of the root word 'Dhanam' across different words with distinct meanings: Dhanam (wealth), Nidhanam (composure), Annadhanam (charity of food), and Samadhanam (peace).

Anaphora / Refrain (Adukkuthodar)

“adhanaal sagalamum vasiyam”

The rhythmic repetition of the phrase 'adhanaal sagalamum vasiyam' across multiple stanzas reinforces the core philosophical premise.

Edhukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

“Vallalenum arul mannavar sonna / Thalla mudiyumoo melorgal sonna”

Rhyming of the second consonant sound 'll' in 'Vallalenum' and 'Thalla mudiyumoo'.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

“Gnyaanam kuraindhu naliyum maandhar”

Repetition of the initial letter sound 'Gnya' across lines.

Did you know?

Trivia

Pudhu Vazhvu (1957) was one of the landmark post-acquittal comeback films for M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar (MKT), who was the first superstar of Tamil cinema. The song showcases lyricist Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass's mastery over Tamil wordplay paired with G. Ramanathan's Carnatic-infused dramatic composition.

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