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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
Details
Dharmam Thalai Kaakkum1963

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
{ DharmamRighteousness and charity
Thalai kaakumWill protect one's life and crown
Thakka samayathilAt the most crucial moment
Uyir kaakum } (2)It will save one's life
Male
{ KoodaEven if those who are
Irundhae kuzhiRight beside you dig a pit
Parithaalum } (2)To betray and destroy you
KoduthadhuThe charity you have given
Kaathu nirkumWill stand guard and protect you
Male
Seitha dharmamThe good deeds performed
Thalai kaakumWill protect one's head
Thakka samayathilAt the right crucial moment
Uyir kaakumIt will save one's life
Male
{ MalaiEven if trials
Polae varumCome huge as a mountain
Sothanai yaavumAll those tribulations
Pani pol neengi vidum } (2)Will vanish away like mist
Male
{ NammaiThose who did not let
Vaazha vidaathavarUs live in peace
Vandhu nam vaasalilWill come to our doorstep
Vanangida vaithuvidum } (2)And be made to bow down in respect
Male
Seitha dharmamThe good deeds performed
Thalai kaakumWill protect one's head
Thakka samayathilAt the right crucial moment
Uyir kaakumIt will save one's life
Male
{ Alli koduthuThe heart of the person who gives generously
Vaazhbavan nenjamAnd lives righteously
Aanantha poonthoppu } (2)Is a blooming garden of joy
Male
{ VaazhvilIn life, good people
Nallavar endrumWill never face ruin
Keduvathillai idhuThis is the eternal truth and verdict
Naangu marai theerpu } (2)Proclaimed by the four sacred Vedas
Male
Endrum dharmamEverlasting righteousness
Thalai kaakumWill protect one's head
Thakka samayathilAt the right crucial moment
Uyir kaakumIt will save one's life
Male
KoodaEven if those who are
Irundhae kuzhiRight beside you dig a pit
ParithaalumTo betray you
KoduthadhuThe charity you gave
Kaathu nirkumWill stand guard and protect you

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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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