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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Dharmam Thalai

From Dharmam Thalai Kaakkum · 1963

Lyricist
Lyricist Not Known
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Movie name
Dharmam Thalai Kaakkum
Movie release year
1963
Lyrics added on
17 May 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
{ Dharmam
Thalai kaakum
Thakka samayathil
Uyir kaakum } (2)
{ Kooda
Irundhae kuzhi
Parithaalum } (2)
Koduthadhu
Kaathu nirkum
Seitha dharmam
Thalai kaakum
Thakka samayathil
Uyir kaakum
{ Malai
Polae varum
Sothanai yaavum
Pani pol neengi vidum } (2)
{ Nammai
Vaazha vidaathavar
Vandhu nam vaasalil
Vanangida vaithuvidum } (2)
Seitha dharmam
Thalai kaakum
Thakka samayathil
Uyir kaakum
{ Alli koduthu
Vaazhbavan nenjam
Aanantha poonthoppu } (2)
{ Vaazhvil
Nallavar endrum
Keduvathillai idhu
Naangu marai theerpu } (2)
Endrum dharmam
Thalai kaakum
Thakka samayathil
Uyir kaakum
Kooda
Irundhae kuzhi
Parithaalum
Koduthadhu
Kaathu nirkum
Righteousness
will protect your head,
and at the right moment,
it will save your life.
Even if those
who stay right beside you
dig a pit to trap you,
what you gave away
will stand and guard you.
The good deeds you did
will protect your head,
and at the right moment,
will save your life.
Every trial
that rises like a mountain
will melt away
just like the mist.
It will make those
who refused to let us live
come to our doorstep
and bow down.
The good deeds you did
will protect your head,
and at the right moment,
will save your life.
The one who gives generously
and lives with kindness
has a heart like a garden of joy.
In this life,
the good will never come to ruin;
this is the judgment
of the four Vedas (sacred scriptures).
Righteousness will always
protect your head,
and at the right moment,
will save your life.
Even if those
who stay right beside you
dig a pit to trap you,
what you gave away
will stand and guard you.
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

The song 'Dharmam Thalai Kaakkum' is a celebrated philosophical track that highlights the protective power of charity, virtue, and selfless giving. It teaches that noble deeds performed out of genuine kindness act as a spiritual shield against malice, betrayal, and life-threatening dangers. Even if companions turn deceptive and conspire against a good person, the karma of their generosity will stand guard to save them.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

“Malai Polae varum Sothanai yaavum Pani pol neengi vidum”

Compares massive afflictions (coming like a mountain) dissolving effortlessly like mist in the morning sun.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

“Alli koduthu Vaazhbavan nenjam Aanantha poonthoppu”

Metaphorically compares the peaceful, joyful mind of a generous giver to a blooming flower garden.

Etukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

“Thalai kaakum / Thakka samayathil”

Consonance in Tamil poetry where the second letter of consecutive lines match ('Dharmam' / 'Thalai' / 'Thakka').

Did you know?

Trivia

This famous song is from the 1963 Tamil movie 'Dharmam Thalai Kaakkum' starring M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) and B. Saroja Devi. The music was composed by K. V. Mahadevan, sung by T. M. Soundararajan (TMS), with lyrics written by the legendary poet Kannadasan. The title and lyrics strongly reflected MGR's real-life political persona as a benevolent philanthropist.

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From the same album

More songs from Dharmam Thalai Kaakkum

View album
Thottu Vida Thottu Vida1963
Dharmam Thalai KaakkumPlayful
Azhagana Vazhai Marathottam1963
Dharmam Thalai KaakkumCelebratory
Paravaigale Paravaigale1963
Dharmam Thalai KaakkumPlayful
Oruvan Manadhu1963
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Moodupani Kulireduthu1963
Dharmam Thalai KaakkumRomantic
Hello Hello Sugama1963
Dharmam Thalai KaakkumPlayful

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