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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
Details
Pudhu Vazhvu1957

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Dhanam avasiyam dhanam avasiyamWealth is essential, wealth is essential.
Manamae dhanam avasiyam adhanaal sagalamum vasiyamO mind, wealth is essential, through which everything is controlled.
Dhanam avasiyam adhanaal sagalamum vasiyamWealth is essential, through which everything is controlled.
Nidhanam avasiyam adhanaal sagalamum vasiyamPatience is essential, through which everything is controlled.
Nidhanam avasiyam adhanaal sagalamum vasiyamPatience is essential, through which everything is controlled.
Male
Annadhanam avasiyam adhanaal sagalamum vasiyamFood charity is essential, through which everything is controlled.
Annadhanam avasiyam adhanaal sagalamum vasiyamFood charity is essential, through which everything is controlled.
Samadhanam avasiyam adhanaal sagalamum vasiyamPeace is essential, through which everything is controlled.
Samadhanam avasiyam adhanaal sagalamum vasiyamPeace is essential, through which everything is controlled.
Male
Gnyaanam kuraindhuDiminishing in wisdom,
Gnyaanam kuraindhu naliyum maandharPeople who suffer with diminished wisdom,
Gnyaanam kuraindhu naliyum maandharPeople who suffer with diminished wisdom,
Kodumai agala ulagam samadhanam avasiyamTo remove cruelty, peace in the world is essential.
Kodumai agala ulagam samadhanam avasiyamTo remove cruelty, peace in the world is essential.
Male
Vallalenum arul mannavar sonnaSpoken by the gracious king of benevolence,
Vallalenum arul mannavar sonnaSpoken by the gracious king of benevolence,
Vaarthaiyil pootha nan nerthiyum ennaWhat fine perfection bloomed in those words!
Vallalenum arul mannavar sonnaSpoken by the gracious king of benevolence,
Vaarthaiyil pootha nan nerthiyum ennaWhat fine perfection bloomed in those words!
Male
Thalla mudiyumoo melorgal sonnaCan we ever dismiss what the great elders have said?
Thalla mudiyumoo melorgal sonnaCan we ever dismiss what the great elders have said?
Dhaanathil ellaam thayai migumAmong all acts of donation, the most compassionate is...
Anna dhaanam avasiyamFood charity, which is essential!
Dhaanathil ellaam thayai migumAmong all acts of donation, the most compassionate is...
Anna dhaanam avasiyamFood charity, which is essential!
Samadhaanam avasiyamPeace is essential!
Nidhaanam avasiyam adhanaal sagalamum vasiyamPatience is essential, through which everything is controlled.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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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