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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Em Thandhai

From Aasal · 2010

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
Bharathwaj
Music director
Bharathwaj
Details
Aasal2010

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Singam endraalIf one says lion
Em thanthaithaanIt is our father
Chellam endraalIf one says beloved
Em thanthaithaanIt is our father
Kann thoonginaalWhen his eyes sleep
Thuyil neenginaalWhen he wakes from slumber
Em thanthaaithaanIt is our father
Em thanthaaithaanIt is our father
EllorukkumTo everyone
Avar vinthaithaanHe is a wonder
Male
Vin meengalThe stars in the sky
Kadan ketkkumWill borrow light
Avar kannilaeFrom his eyes
Vel vanthu vilaiyaadumA spear comes to play
Avar sollilaeIn his words
Male
Avar konda pugazh engalThe glory he holds
Kulam thaangumaeWill sustain our clan
Avar perai sonnaalaeIf one speaks his name
Pagai neengumaeEnmity will vanish
Male
Azhiyaatha uyir kondaWith an immortal soul
Em thanthaiyaeOh, our father!
Azhiyaatha uyir kondaWith an immortal soul
Em thanthaiyaeOh, our father!
Aan vadivilIn male form
Nee endrumYou are always
Em annaiyaeOur mother too
Male
Veeraththin magan endruThat he is the son of valor
Vizhi sollumaeHis eyes will declare
Vaezhaththin inam endruThat he belongs to the majestic elephant line
Nadai sollumaeHis gait will declare
Male
Nilaiyaana manithan enaAs an enduring human being
Per sollumaeHis name will declare
Neethaanae asal endruThat you alone are the authentic one
Oor sollumaeThe town will declare
Male
Un pola silar indruSome people like you today
UruvaagalaamMay be created
Un udal konda asaivukkuFor the majestic movement of your body
NigaraagumaCan anything ever equal it?
Male
Eppothum thorkkaathuNever defeated
Un saenaithaanIs your army
Irunthaalum iranthaalumWhether alive or passed away
Nee yaanaithaanYou are like a royal elephant
Male
Kandangal arasaalumRuling across continents
KalaimoorththithaanA masterpiece of art
Kadal thaandi porul eettumEarning wealth across oceans
Un keerththithaanIs your grand fame
Male
Thalaimuraigal kazhinthaalumEven if generations pass by
Un pechchuthaanTalk will still be about you
Thanthai enum manthiramaeThe sacred mantra named father
En moochchuthaanIs my very breath
Male
Singam endraalIf one says lion
Em thanthaithaanIt is our father
Chellam endraalIf one says beloved
Em thanthaithaanIt is our father
Kann thoonginaalWhen his eyes sleep
Thuyil neenginaalWhen he wakes from slumber
Em thanthaaithaanIt is our father
Em thanthaaithaanIt is our father
EllorukkumTo everyone
Avar vinthaithaanHe is a wonder

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a grand ode dedicated to an idolized father figure, portraying him as the ultimate archetype of nobility, courage, and tenderness. Through powerful imagery, the father is compared to a lion for his fearlessness, an elephant for his majestic grace, and a mother for his unconditional love and nurture. His very presence wards off hostility, and his legacy serves as an unwavering pillar for the entire family.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)

Singam endraal em thanthaithaan

Directly compares the father to a lion to symbolize supreme courage and authority.

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navortchi)

Vin meengal kadan ketkkum avar kannilae

Exaggerates the brilliance of his eyes by claiming stars borrow light from them.

Proverbial Metaphor / Antimetabole

Irunthaalum iranthaalum nee yaanaithaan

References the famous Tamil proverb about an elephant's value remaining unchanged in life or death.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song highlights the overarching theme of authenticity ('Asal') and features Ajith Kumar in a dual role as father and son, with music composed by Bharadwaj.

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