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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

En Vesha porutham

From Anbalippu · 1969

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, Tharapuram Sundarajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Anbalippu1969

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Malaikottai raajavinHe is one who descended from the lineage of the king of Rockfort
Vamsathilae vandhavan ivanHe comes from that very dynasty
Male :HahahahaMale: Hahahaha
Male :Kallikottai raajavukkuMale: To the king of Kozhikode
Pallikooda nanban ivanHe is a school friend
Male :HahahahaMale: Hahahaha
Male :Parota rajaavukku parottaMale: To the king of Parottas, parotta
Thatti thandhavan ivanHe is the one who patted and served
Male :HahahahaMale: Hahahaha
Male :Ingae ulla raajavukkuMale: To the king present here
Englishupish solli thandhavan ivanHe is the one who taught broken English
Male :HahahahaMale: Hahahaha
Male
En vesha porutham eppadi irukkuHow does my disguise look on me?
Vivaram solluda thambhiTell me the details, my younger brother!
Haha ha ha haaHaha ha ha haa
En vesha porutham eppadi irukkuHow does my disguise look on me?
Vivaram solluda thambhiTell me the details, my younger brother!
Naan vaettiyai vutten soottukku vandhenI gave up my traditional dhoti and switched to a suit
Nagarigathai nambhi nambhiBelieving in modern civilization
Vaettiyai vutten soottukku vandhenI gave up my traditional dhoti and switched to a suit
Nagarigathai nambhi nambhiBelieving in modern civilization
Vesha porutham eppadi irukkuHow does my disguise look on me?
Vivaram solluda thambhiTell me the details, my younger brother!
Male
Sola kaatiloru bommaiLike a scarecrow standing in a cornfield
Jodi saerthadha unnaiDid someone match you up?
Aadai maariyadhu bashai maariyadhuClothes changed and language changed
Paavam maaravillai annaeBut your innocent expression hasn't changed, elder brother!
Male
Sola kaatiloru bommaiLike a scarecrow standing in a cornfield
Jodi saerthadha unnaiDid someone match you up?
Aadai maariyadhu bashai maariyadhuClothes changed and language changed
Paavam maaravillai annaeBut your innocent expression hasn't changed, elder brother!
Male
Maenattu aadaiyilae mogamidhuThis desire wrapped in Western attire
Thennattu paaniyilae paavamidhuThis innocent charm expressed in South Indian style
Unnaalae naan adaintha kolamidhuThis appearance I have adopted because of you
Komaali pottu varum vesham idhuThis is like a clown putting on a role
Thaiyathakka thaiyaaThaiyathakka thaiyaa
Male
Vesha porutham eppadi irukkuHow does my disguise look on me?
Vivaram solluda thambhiTell me the details, my younger brother!
Male
Valli nadagathu vaedanLike the hunter in the traditional Valli drama
London veedhigalil odiRunning around the streets of London
Maanai thediyathu paattu paadiyadhuSearching for a deer while singing a song
Pondra kolamidhu annaeThat is how your appearance looks, elder brother!
Male
Aathoram naalu muzham vaetti kattiFor the brave man who used to wrap a four-cubit dhoti by the riverbank
Kaathada poyivarum veeranukkuAnd stroll around enjoying the breeze
Naethoda nattupuram maariyadhuSince yesterday, his rural charm has changed
Vaedhalam kottaiyilae yeriyadhuAnd the ghost has climbed back up the fort!
Thaiyathakka thaiyaaThaiyathakka thaiyaa
Male
HahahahaHahahaha
Male
Sreeramachandranukku latchumanan thambhiyallooIsn't Lakshmana the devoted brother to Lord Ramachandra?
Male
Arjunanukku dharmarajaa annanaai vandhadhallooDidn't Yudhishthira come as an elder brother to Arjuna?
Male
Thambhiyudaiyaan padaikanjaan enbathallaooIsn't it true that one who has a brother fears no army?
Male
Thaai veru anaalum manam ondru pattadhallaooThough born to different mothers, aren't our minds united as one?
Male
Nalla nambarathu nenjamThe heart of good friends
Iraivan vaazhndhirukkum manjamIs a sacred altar where God resides
Male
Nenjam irandu adhil ennam ondru enaThough there are two hearts, when the thought is one
Serndha pinbhu edhu panjamOnce united, what scarcity can there ever be?
Male
Nalla nambarathu nenjamThe heart of good friends
Iraivan vaazhndhirukkum manjamIs a sacred altar where God resides
Male
Nenjam irandu adhil ennam ondru enaThough there are two hearts, when the thought is one
Serndha pinbhu edhu panjamOnce united, what scarcity can there ever be?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This lighthearted duet from the 1969 film 'Anbalippu' captures a playful banter between two close companions (framed like brothers). One brother dresses up in Western suit attire trying to appear modern, while the other teasingly compares his funny appearance to a scarecrow in a cornfield or a mythological hunter wandering the streets of London. Despite the comical contrast between Western clothing and traditional South Indian roots, the song transitions into a heartwarming ode to true brotherhood and friendship. In the concluding verses, Kannadasan draws upon epic archetypes—Rama and Lakshmana, Arjuna and Yudhishthira—to emphasize that deep bonds transcend biological ties. The song highlights that true friendship creates a shared mindset between two individuals, turning their hearts into a residence for the divine, where no lack or fear can ever enter.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second-letter rhyme)

Aadai maariyadhu bashai maariyadhu / Paavam maaravillai annae

Matching second consonants across lines such as 'Malaikottai' / 'Vamsathilae' or 'Aadai' / 'Paavam' in adjacent line structures.

Simile / Metaphor (Uwamai)

Sola kaatiloru bommai

Comparing the protagonist's awkwardly fitted Western suit to a scarecrow ('sola kaatiloru bommai') in a field.

Allusion (Purana Kurippeedhu)

Sreeramachandranukku latchumanan thambhiyalloo

Referencing epic brotherhood from Hindu mythology (Rama-Lakshmana and Arjuna-Dharmaraja) to reinforce loyalty.

Proverbial Allusion (Pazhamozhi)

Thambhiyudaiyaan padaikanjaan enbathallaoo

Incorporating the famous Tamil proverb 'Thambhiyudaiyaan padaikanjaan' (One who has a brother fears no army).

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Anbalippu' (1969), starring Sivaji Ganesan, Jaishankar, and B. Saroja Devi, features music by M. S. Vishwanathan. This song showcases MSV's signature style of mixing comical Western rhythm patterns with traditional Carnatic folk phrasings, paired with Kannadasan's effortless transition from comedic wordplay to philosophical observations about friendship.

Keep listening

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