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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Dosu Kodukka Venum

From Maappillai 1952 Film · 1952

Lyricist
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
Singers
Trichy Loganathan, A. G. Rathnamala
Music directors
N. S. Balakrishnan, T. R. Pappa
Movie name
Maappillai 1952 Film
Movie release year
1952
Lyrics added on
23 Mar 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Dosu kodukka venum
Sariyaana dosu kodukka venum
Dosu kodukka venum
Sariyaana dosu kodukka venum
Mosamaana endha casekkum thaguntha
Dosu kodukkanum
Both :Sariyaana dosu kodukka venum
Moonu manikkoru vaelai thavaraama
Dosu kodukak venum
Irundhadhu ponadhu nilamai theriyaadha
Pudhu panakkaranukkum
Munnae irundhadhu ponadhu nilamai theriyaadha
Pudhu panakkaranukkum
Male :Ezhai paattaali
Ezhai paattaali vaazhvai keduthidum
Irakkamae ilaldha irumbhu pettikum
Kaalathukku thaguntha jalar pottu varum
Kabodhi pasangalukkum
Indha kaalathukku thaguntha jalar pottu varum
Kabodhi pasangalukkum
Kaariyam saathikka
Sondha kaariyam saathikka
Kolu mooti varum kaakka pasangalukkum
Taekka koduthu nalla
Vanjagamagavae vattikku vatti
Vaangum aiyogiyanukkum
Vanjagamagavae vattikku vatti
Vaangum aiyogiyanukkum
Vatti vaangum aiyogiyanukkum
Panja kaalathilum padhavi mogathilum
Indha panja kaalathilum padhavi mogathilum
Minji vilaiyaadum lanja pidaarikkum
Kalla markettilae kollaiyadichidum
Kana thanavaangalukkum
Kalla markettilae kollaiyadichidum
Kana thanavaangalukkum
Asal kana thanavaangalukkum
Katchi perai solli
Pala katchi perai solli kaasai parichidum
Pachondhi kumbalukkum fraud pasangalukkum
A dose must be given,
A proper dose must be given!
A dose must be given,
A proper dose must be given!
Fitting for any severe case,
A dose must be given!
Both: A proper dose must be given!
Every three hours without fail,
A dose must be given!
Forgetting what he was and where he came from,
To the newly rich upstart,
Forgetting what he used to be and his humble past,
To the newly rich upstart,
Male: The poor laborers...
Who ruins the lives of poor working folk,
To the heartless, tight-fisted miser,
Flattering people to suit the times,
To those shameless opportunists,
Flattering people to suit these changing times,
To those shameless opportunists,
To get things done,
To serve their own selfish ends,
To the sycophants who stir up trouble,
Giving them a sharp counter, a good...
Deceitfully charging interest upon interest,
To the crook who collects it,
Deceitfully charging interest upon interest,
To the crook who collects it,
To the crook collecting interest,
Even in times of famine, blinded by lust for power,
Even during this famine, blinded by lust for power,
To the bribe-hungry monsters running rampant,
Looting wealth in the black market,
To those high-and-mighty rich men,
Looting wealth in the black market,
To those high-and-mighty rich men,
To those respectable wealthy fat cats,
Using the name of a political party,
Extorting money in the name of various parties,
To the chameleon crowds and crooked frauds!
Male
Female
Female
Female
Male
Female
Male
Female
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This satirical social commentary from the 1952 movie 'Maappillai' uses the medical metaphor of administering a 'dose' (prescription) to cure the moral ailments of society. Written by Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass, the song systematically targets corrupt elements, including arrogance among the nouveau riche, ruthless money-lenders who exploit poor laborers with exorbitant interest rates, bootlicking flatterers, black-market hoarders during times of scarcity, corrupt officials seeking bribes, and opportunistic political scammers.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

“Dosu kodukka venum”

The term 'Dosu' (medical dose) is used as a metaphor for giving severe punishment or corrective lessons to societal evildoers.

Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

“Pachondhi kumbalukkum fraud pasangalukkum”

The second character 'sh/ch' ('Pachondhi', 'Fraud') provides structural rhythmic harmony across the line.

Imagery

“Irakkamae ilaldha irumbhu pettikum”

'Iramkamae illadha irumbhu petti' creates a vivid image of a heartless miser guarding an iron safe box.

Did you know?

Trivia

This track showcases lyricist Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass's trademark style of blending colloquial social satire with rhythmically catchy street-style lyricism. 'Maappillai' (1952) featured music composed by N. S. Balakrishnan and T. R. Pappa, reflecting the political and social reformist themes prominent in mid-20th century Tamil cinema.

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