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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Diyo Diyo Diyo

From Kanniyin Sabatham · 1958

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
Jikki
Music director
T. G. Lingappa
Details
Kanniyin Sabatham1958

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Diyo diyo diyoDiyo diyo diyo
Diyo diyo diyoDiyo diyo diyo
Jiyyo jiyyo jiyyoJiyyo jiyyo jiyyo
Jiyyo jiyyo jiyyoJiyyo jiyyo jiyyo
Oo jiyyo jiyyo jiyyoOo jiyyo jiyyo jiyyo
Female
Vanna mayilaaduthuA colorful peacock is dancing
Kannithamizh paaduthuVirgin Tamil is singing
Mannavaa ennai neeO King, won't you
Kannal konjam paarLook at me with a glance of your eyes
Vanna mayilaaduthu kanni tamizh paaduthuA colorful peacock is dancing, virgin Tamil is singing
Mannavaa ennai neeO King, won't you
Kannaal konjam paarLook at me with a glance of your eyes
Female
Diyo diyo diyoDiyo diyo diyo
Diyo diyo diyoDiyo diyo diyo
Female
Varupavarkkellaam vazhanguvathilIn giving generously to all who approach
Kodai vallal karnanum neeyae oo….ooo…oo…You are Karna, the great patron of charity, oo...ooo...oo...
Varupavarkkellaam vazhanguvathilIn giving generously to all who approach
Kodai vallal karnanum neeyaeYou are Karna, the great patron of charity
Mangaiyar manathai kavarum kalaiyilIn the art of captivating young women's hearts
Mathimuga vijayanum neeyaeYou are Arjuna, the moon-faced hero
Female
Mannil vaazhung kaamanYou are Lord Kamadeva living on this earth
Marporil neeyae beemanIn wrestling, you are Bhima
Mannil vaazhung kaamanYou are Lord Kamadeva living on this earth
Marporil neeyae beemanIn wrestling, you are Bhima
Mannavaa ennai neeO King, won't you
Kannaal konjam paarLook at me with a glance of your eyes
Female
Diyo diyo diyoDiyo diyo diyo
Diyo diyo diyoDiyo diyo diyo
Female
Kalvi kadalin karaikandaHaving crossed the vast ocean of learning
Kalai kaavalan kambanum neeyaeYou are Kamban, the guardian protector of arts
Kalvi kadalin karaikandaHaving crossed the vast ocean of learning
Kalai kaavalan kambanum neeyaeYou are Kamban, the guardian protector of arts
Solvathai ellaam seyalil kaattumTranslating everything spoken into tangible action
Vallamai kondavan neeyaeYou are the one possessing great capabilities
Female
Vellam polae inbamJoy, like a rising flood
Un ullanthannil pongumWill overflow within your heart
Mannavaa ennai neeO King, won't you
Kannaal konjam paarLook at me with a glance of your eyes
Female
Diyo jiyyo diyo jiyyoDiyo jiyyo diyo jiyyo
Diyo jiyyo diyo jiyyoDiyo jiyyo diyo jiyyo
Female
Vanna mayilaaduthuA colorful peacock is dancing
Kanni thamizh paaduthuVirgin Tamil is singing
Mannavaa ennai neeO King, won't you
Kannaal konjam paarLook at me with a glance of your eyes
Female
Diyo jiyyo diyo jiyyoDiyo jiyyo diyo jiyyo
Diyo jiyyo diyo jiyyoDiyo jiyyo diyo jiyyo

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic romantic court dance song from the film Kanniyin Sabatham features a woman singing praise to her king or beloved. She compares herself to a colorful peacock dancing and pure Tamil music singing, imploring him to cast his eyes upon her. She showers him with grand praise, comparing his noble qualities to legendary figures: his limitless generosity to Karna, his irresistible charm to Arjuna and Kamadeva, his physical prowess to Bhima, and his vast wisdom to the revered poet Kamban.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai (Simile)

Vellam polae inbam

Compares overflowing happiness directly to a surging flood using the comparison marker 'polae'.

Uruvagam (Metaphor / Allusion)

Kodai vallal karnanum neeyae

Metaphorically attributes the virtues of epic figures (Karna for charity, Arjuna for romance, Bhima for strength, Kamban for knowledge) directly to the protagonist.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Kalvi kadalin karaikanda

Repetition of the initial 'Ka' sound across words in the same line.

Ezhugai / Edugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Vanna mayilaaduthu / Kannithamizh paaduthu

Matching second consonant 'nna' across successive lines creating rhythmic assonance.

Did you know?

Trivia

Kanniyin Sabatham (1958) was directed by M. G. Ramachandran's older brother M. G. Chakrapani and starred K. R. Ramasamy and Anjali Devi. The song features music by T. G. Lingappa and lyrics by A. Maruthakasi, with Jikki's vibrant vocals making the rhythmic chant refrain ('Diyo Diyo Diyo') immensely popular during that era.

Keep listening

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