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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ettu Thikkum Yetti Vida

From Paartha Gnabagam Illayo · 1985

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Paartha Gnabagam Illayo1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Ettu thikkum etti vidaReaching out to all eight directions
Rettai thavil saththam varaAs the thunderous sound of twin thavils echoes
Ezhunthathu naayana osaiThe melody of the nadaswaram arose
Male
Thaala saththangalum santhangalumThe rhythmic beats and melodic meters
Ennangalai thattividaStirred up my inner thoughts
Piranthathu naatiya aasaiGiving birth to a desire to dance
Male
Intha layamum isai nayamumThis rhythm and musical grace
Enthan uyiril endrum irukkumWill forever reside in my soul
Intha layamum isai nayamumThis rhythm and musical grace
Enthan uyiril endrum irukkumWill forever reside in my soul
Male
Ettu thikkum etti vidaReaching out to all eight directions
Rettai thavil saththam varaAs the thunderous sound of twin thavils echoes
Ezhunthathu naayana osaiThe melody of the nadaswaram arose
Male
Thanjai bhoomiyil senthamizharathu vazhakkamIt is the rich tradition of pure Tamils in the land of Thanjavur
Pandai naatgalil evvidamum idhu olikkumIn ancient times, it resonated everywhere
Thanjai bhoomiyil senthamizharathu vazhakkamIt is the rich tradition of pure Tamils in the land of Thanjavur
Pandai naatgalil evvidamum idhu olikkumIn ancient times, it resonated everywhere
Kalai muzhakkam karai kadakkumThe roaring roar of art overflows its banks
Thalai naraikkum varaiyil ninaivirukkumIt will remain in memory until my hair turns grey
Male
………………
Male
Ettu thikkum etti vidaReaching out to all eight directions
Rettai thavil saththam varaAs the thunderous sound of twin thavils echoes
Ezhunthathu naayana osaiThe melody of the nadaswaram arose
Male
Kaanam paadiyae than kavalaigalai marakkumForgetting its worries by singing a song
Vaanampaadi pol en kavithai manam parakkumLike a skylark, my poetic heart soars
Kaanam paadiyae than kavalaigalai marakkumForgetting its worries by singing a song
Vaanampaadi pol en kavithai manam parakkumLike a skylark, my poetic heart soars
Madal virikkum malar sirikkumPetals blossom and flowers smile
Puviyanaiththum ini pudhu vasanthanmThe entire world is now a fresh spring season
Male
Ettu thikkum etti vidaReaching out to all eight directions
Rettai thavil saththam varaAs the thunderous sound of twin thavils echoes
Ezhunthathu naayana osaiThe melody of the nadaswaram arose
Male
Thaala saththangalum santhangalumThe rhythmic beats and melodic meters
Ennangalai thattividaStirred up my inner thoughts
Piranthathu naatiya aasaiGiving birth to a desire to dance
Male
Intha layamum isai nayamumThis rhythm and musical grace
Enthan uyiril endrum irukkumWill forever reside in my soul
Intha layamum isai nayamumThis rhythm and musical grace
Enthan uyiril endrum irukkumWill forever reside in my soul

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a grand celebration of traditional Tamil music, dance, and cultural heritage, particularly honoring the artistic legacy of the Thanjavur region. The lyricist captures how the powerful synergy of traditional instruments like the thavil and nadaswaram awakens an irresistible passion for dance and poetry within the performer's soul.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyming)

Ettu thikkum etti vida / Rettai thavil saththam vara

The second consonant 'tt' (ட்) matches across both lines ('Ettu' and 'Rettai').

Upamai Ani (Simile)

Vaanampaadi pol en kavithai manam parakkum

The singer's soaring poetic mind is explicitly compared to a skylark ('vaanampaadi pol') flying freely.

Personification

Madal virikkum malar sirikkum

Flowers are given the human attribute of smiling ('malar sirikkum').

Monai (Initial Rhyme)

Thanjai bhoomiyil senthamizharathu vazhakkam

The initial sound harmony is used to establish rhythm across classical lyric structures.

Did you know?

Trivia

The movie title 'Paartha Gnabagam Illayo' (1985) borrows its name from the legendary 1964 song from 'Puthiya Paravai', composed by the duo Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy. In this 1985 film, M.S. Viswanathan compositions showcase a traditional blend of Tamil folk and classical instruments like the nadaswaram and thavil, delivered with high energy by S.P. Balasubrahmanyam.

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