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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ezhundhaal Malai Pola

From Kannupada Poguthaiya · 1999

Lyricist
Ilayakamban
Singer
S. A. Rajkumar
Music director
S. A. Rajkumar
Details
Kannupada Poguthaiya1999

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Ezhunthaal malai pola nadanthaal nadhi polaWhen he stands up, he is like a mountain; when he walks, he is like a river.
Ezhunthaal malai pola nadanthaal nadhi polaWhen he stands up, he is like a mountain; when he walks, he is like a river.
Antha aagaayam pola ennaama kodukkumLike the sky above, how generously it gives!
Ponnaana manasirukkumHe possesses a heart made of gold.
Endrum moodaatha koyilLike a temple whose doors are never shut,
Un vaasal kadhavu eppothum thiranthu irukkumThe entrance to your house is always open.
Male
Antha vettaruvaa meesaikkuththaanTo that mustache shaped like a billhook,
Ettoorum paninjirukkumEight neighboring villages bow down in respect.
Avar thottu thantha nellumaniThe grains of paddy touched and given by him,
Muppogam vilainjirukkumYield three rich harvests every year.
Chorus
Ezhunthaal malai pola nadanthaal nadhi polaWhen he stands up, he is like a mountain; when he walks, he is like a river.
Male
Vaigai aarumthaan kadala paakkalaEven the Vaigai river hasn't seen the ocean,
Vaasudevar manam kadalaachchiBut Vasudevar's heart has become as vast as the sea.
Chorus :Enga vaasudevar manam kadalaachchiChorus: Our Vasudevar's heart has become as vast as the sea!
Male
Vaazhkkai vellaththil naanga moozhgalaWe did not drown in the flood of life,
Vaasudevar kai padakaachchiBecause Vasudevar's hands became our rescue boat.
Chorus :Enga vaasudevar kai padakaachchiChorus: Our Vasudevar's hands became our rescue boat!
Male
Kovilukulla dheivam irukkuThere is a deity inside the temple,
Thedi vantha dheivam inga irukkuBut the deity we searched for is right here.
Chorus :Naanga thedi vantha dheivam inga irukkuChorus: The deity we searched for is right here!
Male
Veettukku veedu eriyuthungaBurning bright in house after house,
Vaasudevar yaththiya oli vilakkuIs the lamp of light lit by Vasudevar.
Chorus :Enga vaasudevar yaththiya oli vilakkuChorus: Is the lamp of light lit by our Vasudevar!
Chorus
Enga usurellaam ooduruvumPiercing through our very lives,
Unnoda punsirippuIs your gentle smile.
Enga manasaalum mannanukkuFor the king who rules our hearts,
Maththaappu varaverppuHere is a grand welcome with sparklers!
Male
Ezhunthaal malai pola nadanthaal nadhi polaWhen he stands up, he is like a mountain; when he walks, he is like a river.
Chorus
……………..
Male
Villu vandiyila pogum midukkulaIn the grandeur of traveling in a traditional bow-cart,
Veeram velaiyuthu kazhaniyilaeValor flourishes right in the agricultural fields!
Chorus :Adha kettu paarunga vedalaigalaChorus: Listen to that, young lads!
Male
Paarvai onnuthaan vaarththai onnuthaanA single glance from him, a single word—
Baisal seiyyuthu vazhakkugalSettles all disputes and conflicts!
Chorus :Ingu court-tu case-gannu kavalaiyillaChorus: Here there is no worry about court cases!
Male
Suththi eriyum entha neruppumAny fire that burns around,
Thottathundu unnai suttathillaiMay have touched you, but has never burned you.
Chorus :Adha thottathundu unnai suttathillaiChorus: It may have touched you, but has never burned you!
Male
Saththiyaththaiyum dharmaththaiyumProtecting both truth and righteousness,
Kaaththirukkum enga dharmathuraiHe is our lord of justice.
Chorus :Unga kannukkullae irukkom kavalaiyillaiChorus: We live safely within your eyes, so we have no worries!
Male
Inga nadamaadum sooriyanaiTo the walking sun of this land,
Kumbittu ponga vachchomWe folded our hands in worship as he passed.
Enga pasi theerththa dharmanukkuFor the charitable man who satisfied our hunger,
Pallaakku thookki nirppomWe will stand proudly carrying his palanquin!
Male
Ezhunthaal malai pola nadanthaal nadhi polaWhen he stands up, he is like a mountain; when he walks, he is like a river.
Chorus
Antha aagaayam pola ennaama kokkumLike the sky above, how generously it gives!
Ponnaana manasirukkumHe possesses a heart made of gold.
Endrum moodaatha koyilLike a temple whose doors are never shut,
Un vaasal kadhavu eppothum thiranthu irukkumThe entrance to your house is always open.
Male
Antha vettaruvaa meesaikkuththaanTo that mustache shaped like a billhook,
Ettoorum paninjirukkumEight neighboring villages bow down in respect.
Avar thottu thantha nellumaniThe grains of paddy touched and given by him,
Muppogam vilainjirukkumYield three rich harvests every year.
Male
Ezhunthaal malai polaWhen he stands up, he is like a mountain,
Chorus :Ezhunthaal malai polaChorus: When he stands up, he is like a mountain!
Male :Nadanthaal nadhi polaMale: When he walks, he is like a river,
Chorus :Nadanthaal nadhi pola….Chorus: When he walks, he is like a river...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a celebratory eulogy dedicated to Vasudevar, a benevolent and commanding village leader. The lyrics portray his grand physical presence, deep righteousness, and unmatched generosity. He is depicted as a protective father figure and a living deity whose physical stature commands respect like a mountain, yet whose demeanor is fluid and nurturing like a river.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Uwamai Ani)

Ezhunthaal malai pola nadanthaal nadhi pola

Compares Vasudevar's standing posture to a towering mountain ('malai pola') and his movement to a flowing river ('nadhi pola').

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Vaasudevar kai padakaachchi

Metaphorically equates Vasudevar's supportive hands to a boat ('padaku') that carries the villagers across life's flood of troubles.

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navitchi Ani)

Avar thottu thantha nellumani muppogam vilainjirukkum

An exaggerated expression stating that paddy seeds blessed by his touch yield three complete harvests annually, emphasizing his auspicious nature.

Personification / Cultural Epithet

Inga nadamaadum sooriyanai

Refers to Vasudevar as a 'walking sun' ('nadamaadum sooriyan'), symbolizing enlightenment, warmth, and life-giving vitality for the village.

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Trivia

The song is from the 1999 Tamil drama movie 'Kannupada Poguthaiya', directed by Bharathi Ganesh and starring Vijayakanth in the lead role. The soundtrack was composed by S. A. Rajkumar, who was renowned in the late 1990s for his melody-driven rural anthems. The lyrics by Ilayakamban heavily reinforce Vijayakanth's iconic cinematic persona as 'Dharmathurai'—a righteous, noble village leader who brings prosperity and justice to his people.

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