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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ethanai Iniya Kudumbam

From Nermai · 1985

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Nermai1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Ethanai iniya kudumbamWhat a sweet family this is!
Muthamizh kavidhai arangamIt is a grand stage of three-fold Tamil poetry!
Thottadhu thulangum karangalHands that bring prosperity to everything they touch,
Nalladhai ninaikkum manangalHearts that always harbor noble thoughts!
Male
Ethanai iniya kudumbamWhat a sweet family this is!
Muthamizh kavidhai arangamIt is a grand stage of three-fold Tamil poetry!
Thottadhu thulangum karangalHands that bring prosperity to everything they touch,
Nalladhai ninaikkum manangalHearts that always harbor noble thoughts!
Idhu veedalla naadellaam kondaadumIs this not a temple that the whole nation will celebrate,
Koyil aagaadhoRather than being just a home?
Female
Ini naalellaam aanandhamFrom this day forth, every day will be filled with bliss!
Thaen sindhum paadal kaetkaadhoWon't we hear songs that spill honey-like sweetness?
Female
En dheivam neeyaeYou are my living deity!
Oli dheepam neeyaeYou are the radiant lamp of light!
Innaalai polae ennaalum vaazhgaMay you live every day as joyfully as this day!
Male
Pillaigalae pudhu yugam ezhundhadhuOh children, a new era has dawned!
Oli mazhai pozhindhadhu nanaivom indruA shower of light has poured down, let us get drenched in it today!
Paadungalaen ini varum thalaimuraiSing aloud, declaring that the coming generation
Anaivarum oru nilai adaivom endruWill all achieve a unified state of harmony and equality!
Female
Anbu selvangalae kodiyil aadum mullaigalaeOh precious treasures of love, jasmine blossoms swaying on the vine!
Ungal ullangalae endrum engal selvangalaeYour pure hearts are forever our true wealth!
Un sondham thaedi en jenmam kodiSeeking your kinship, I would take a ten million births!
Pon maalai soodi varum vaanampaadiLike a skylark wearing a golden evening sky!
Female
Yaadhum oorae ilakkiyam sonnadhuLiterature proclaimed, 'Every town is my native town';
Ilakkanam aanadhu naeril kandenI saw it directly become the grammar of our living standard!
Yaarum ingae uravenum ninaivilaeWith the realization that everyone here is family,
Anbenum nadhiyilae aada kandenI saw everyone bathing in the river of love!
Male
Naalum ingae panathilae midhandhavanI, who floated in wealth every single day,
Iruttilae irundhavan ulagai kandenAnd lived in spiritual darkness, have finally seen the light of the world!
Naanum indrae thalaivanin madiyilaeToday, resting upon the leader's lap,
Kuzhandhaiyaai valargiren uruvai kandenI grow like a child, having realized my true form!
Female
Ullam ondraanadhuOur hearts have become unified as one!
Anbin vellam undaanadhuA great flood of love has risen!
Endrum maaraadhadhuIt is something that will never change!
Adhilae inbam nooraanadhuIn that, happiness multiplies hundredfold!
Male
En pillai neeyae kodi mullai neeyaeYou are my child, you are the jasmine on the vine!
Female
Un paasam thaanae naan unnum thaenaeYour affection alone is the sweet honey that sustains me!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Ethanai Iniya Kudumbam' from the 1985 Tamil film 'Nermai' is a soulful celebration of familial harmony, human kindness, and social equality. Written by Pulamaipithan, the lyrics portray a loving home that transcends material boundaries, transforming into a temple of moral and emotional values. The song celebrates a family rooted in noble thoughts, where relationships are prized over monetary wealth.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Ethanai iniya kudumbam / Muthamizh kavidhai arangam

The second consonant sound 'th' (த்) rhymes between 'Ethanai' and 'Muthamizh', creating a rhythmic flow.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Anbenum nadhiyilae aada kanden

Love is directly compared to a river ('river of love' - Anbenum nadhi) in which human souls bathe.

Literary Allusion

Yaadhum oorae ilakkiyam sonnadhu

Directly alludes to the famous Sangam Tamil line 'Yaadhum Oore Yaavarum Kelir' by poet Kaniyan Pungundranar.

Personification / Simile

Anbu selvangalae kodiyil aadum mullaigalae

Children are affectionately compared to delicate jasmine flowers swaying on a vine.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Nermai' (1985) is a drama film directed by R. Krishnamoorthy, starring Sivaji Ganesan and Sujatha. The songs were composed by M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics penned by the veteran lyricist Pulamaipithan, known for incorporating classical Tamil literary themes into popular cinema music.

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