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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Dhesa Dhesamundan

From Jaya Gopi · 1955

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Leela
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Details
Jaya Gopi1955

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
……………………..Every country will witness your talent.
Female
Dhesa dhesamunthan thiramai kaanumaeO divine embodiment, O maiden of India!
Divya moorthi ooo bharatha yuvathiEvery country will witness your talent.
Dhesa dhesamunthan thiramai kaanumaeO divine embodiment, O maiden of India!
Divya moorthi ooo bharatha yuvathiEvery country will witness your talent.
Female
Dhesa dhesamunthan thiramai kaanumaeYour motherland is a sweet, great country...
Female
Unthan thaayagam madura nannaadu…oo…oo….Your motherland is a sweet, great country.
Unthan thaayagam madura nannaaduIn this world, you are a heroic woman.
Ulaganthanil nee veera mangaiyaeIn this world, you are a heroic woman.
Ulaganthanil nee veera mangaiyaeThe vibrant new life and splendor of brave kings,
Theera mannar navajeevena sobithamThe vibrant new life and splendor of brave kings,
Theera mannar navajeevena sobithamYou shine as the Mother, as the wish-fulfilling divine creeper.
Vilangum thaayae kalpavavalliyaeYou shine as the Mother, as the wish-fulfilling divine creeper.
Vilangum thaayae kalpavavalliyaeEvery country will witness your talent.
Female
Dhesa dhesamunthan thiramai kaanumaeO delicate maiden, O Indian woman!
Female
Adhisukumaari bharatha naariO embodiment of beauty, nectar, and divine enchantress!
Azhagae amuthae amrutha moghiniO delicate maiden, O Indian woman!
Adhisukumaari bharatha naariO embodiment of beauty, nectar, and divine enchantress!
Azhagae amuthae amrutha moghiniAre you merely a helpless woman?...
Abalaiyum neeyo….aa…aa….Are you a helpless woman, O woman of India?
Abalaium neeyo bharatha vanithaaAre you a helpless woman, O woman of India?
Abalaium neeyo bharatha vanithaaAwaken and realize that you are heroic power!
Aavatharinthidu veera sakthiyaeAwaken and realize that you are heroic power!
Aavatharinthidu veera sakthiyaeEvery country will witness your talent.
Female
Dhesa dhesamunthan thiramai kaanumaeSacrifice, righteousness, and noble virtues,
Female
Thiyagamum dharmamum thyaakunangalumYou know them all, O pure and famed one!
Yaavum arivaai amala keerthiniSacrifice, righteousness, and noble virtues,
Thiyagamum dharmamum thyaakunangalumYou know them all, O pure and famed one!
Yaavum arivaai amala keerthiniYou perceive all arts with excellence.
Kalaigal yaavaiyum seerudan kaanbaaiYou perceive all arts with excellence.
Kalaigal yaavaiyum seerudan kaanbaaiYou are a selfless soul seeking the country's welfare.
Naattin nalamae thedum thiyaagi neeYou are a selfless soul seeking the country's welfare.
Naattin nalamae thedum thiyaagi neeEvery country will witness your talent.
Female
Dhesa dhesamunthan thiramai kaanumaeO auspicious goddess, you are the speaking deity!
Female
Mangala naayagi pesum devi neeYou are the maiden of beauty, a divine goddess!
Sowndharya mangai neeyae deviyaO auspicious goddess, you are the speaking deity!
Mangala naayagi pesum devi neeYou are the maiden of beauty, a divine goddess!
Sowndharya mangai neeyae deviyaThe entire essence of justice and morality,
Needhi niyathiyin saaramellaamThe entire essence of justice and morality,
Needhi niyathiyin saaramellaamMother India joyfully bestowed upon you, did she not?
Annai magizhnthu thanthaalallavaaMother India joyfully bestowed upon you, did she not?
Annai magizhnthu thanthaalallavaaEvery country will witness your talent.
Female
Dhesa dhesamunthan thiramai kaanumaeO divine embodiment, O maiden of India!
Divya moorthi ooo bharatha yuvathiEvery country will witness your talent.
Female
Dhesa dhesamunthan thiramai kaanumae

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from 'Jaya Gopi' (1955) is an empowering ode celebrating the strength, grace, and intrinsic potential of Indian women. Through poetic praise, lyricist Kannadasan urges the young woman of India to shed the label of being helpless ('abalai') and awaken to her true form as a force of divine power ('veera sakthi'). The lyrics place the Indian woman on a high pedestal, attributing to her the virtues of sacrifice, righteousness, artistic appreciation, and wisdom. It proclaims that her brilliance and capabilities will shine far and wide across nations, portraying her as an embodiment of Mother India's values.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monaai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Dhesa dhesamunthan thiramai kaanumae

Repetition of initial consonant sounds across words in the line for musicality.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Vilangum thaayae kalpavavalliyae

Comparing the woman directly to 'Kalpavalli' (the divine wish-fulfilling creeper) and a speaking goddess.

Rhetorical Question

Abalaium neeyo bharatha vanithaa

Asking 'Are you helpless?' to challenge societal assumptions and spark self-awareness.

Emonaai / Anaphora

Dhesa dhesamunthan thiramai kaanumae

Repetition of key phrases like 'Dhesa dhesamunthan' at the start of refrain lines for emphasis.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Jaya Gopi' (1955) featured music by the legendary Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy duo and lyrics by Kannadasan. Sung with grandeur by P. Leela, this song stands as one of early Tamil cinema's inspiring female-empowerment anthems, blending patriotic themes with classical imagery.

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