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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ghandhari Yaaro

From Magalir Mattum · 2017

Lyricist
Thamarai
Singers
Anurag Kulkarni, Padmalatha
Music director
Ghibran
Details
Magalir Mattum2017

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
……………………..
Female
Gandhari yaaro kan paaraadha thaaroWho is Gandhari? Who is the star that turned a blind eye?
Soodhaadum podhu van sooluraitha thaaroWho is the star that uttered harsh vows during the game of gambling?
Seethaigal yaaro sirai meelaadhadhaaroWho are the Sitas? Who are the stars that never escaped captivity?
Poraadum podhu thee mooti chendra thaaroWho is the star that set fire and left during the struggle?
Female
Siru pulli vaikkindraaiYou place small dots...
Perum kolam padaikkindraaiAnd create a grand floor-art pattern (kolam)...
Azhagae neeyum yaaroOh beautiful one, who are you?
Kadavulin thugal dhaanoAre you a tiny particle of God?
Female
Kannae en KadambariOh my darling, my Kadambari,
Kan moodi thoongum kiliA parrot sleeping with its eyes closed,
Kaalangal odum iniTime will fly from now on,
Vaagai sooda odi vaa vaaRun and come to wear the crown of victory!
Female
Engengum kollum kaigalHands that kill everywhere,
Kolaaru seiyum poigalLies that cause turmoil,
Kaattaaraai maari neeyumTransforming into a wild river, you...
Kaadu medu thaandi vaa vaaCross over forests and hills and come!
Female
Gandhari yaaro kan paaraadha thaaroWho is Gandhari? Who is the star that turned a blind eye?
Soodhaadum podhu van sooluraitha thaaro..yaarooWho is the star that uttered harsh vows during the game of gambling... who?
Chorus
………………………………….
Female
Karuvilae thodangudhu un kalagamaeYour struggle begins right inside the womb,
Kallipaal kadapadhai kalaiEradicate the custom of female infanticide,
Padikkavum pazhagavum pala thadaiNumerous obstacles stand in the way of studying and social learning,
Adhilumor nerunjidhaan udaiBreak through those thorny hurdles as well!
Female
Kaadhal vandhal podhumAs soon as love arrives,
Adharkkum udanae perumImmediately over that too, a grand...
Thirai vizhumCurtain falls!
Female
Kaadhal kollum nenjamThe heart that falls in love,
Oruvan ninaivil sadhaaIs constantly tormented...
Vadhai padumBy the memory of one person.
Female
Kallaiyum mullaiyum kandaalumEven if we encounter stones and thorns,
Kaalgalil kaayangal vandhaalumEven if wounds afflict our feet,
Thaandi thaandi vandhomaeWe crossed over them again and again,
Thamaraiyaagi nindromaeAnd stood tall like a lotus!
Female
Kannae en KadambariOh my darling, my Kadambari,
Kan moodi thoongum kiliA parrot sleeping with its eyes closed,
Kaalangal odum iniTime will fly from now on,
Vaagai sooda odi vaa vaaRun and come to wear the crown of victory!
Female
Engengum kollum kaigalHands that kill everywhere,
Kolaaru seiyum poigalLies that cause turmoil,
Kaattaaraai maari neeyumTransforming into a wild river, you...
Kaadu medu thaandi vaa vaaCross over forests and hills and come!
Chorus
…………………………………
Female
Manaiviyaai peyar tharumMarriage gives the title of a wife,
Thirumanam thanpeyarIt is the day a woman loses...
Tholaithidum dhinamHer own name.
Mazhalaiyai yendhiya maruganamThe moment she holds her child,
Thaaiyena thalaiyilae ganamA heavy burden rests on her head as a mother.
Female
Odi odi odi aluthuRunning, running, running, and getting exhausted,
Thirumbum nodi perum idiThe moment she turns back feels like a massive thunderbolt.
Saaindhu saaindhu nindruLeaning and swaying repeatedly,
Mudhugil elumbae illaa vizhum kodiLike a boneless creeper falling down.
Female
Anaigal illaa ambaariAn unbridled elephant carriage,
Andharam aadidum pennthooriA woman's swing hanging mid-air,
Sambalamillaa samsaariAn unpaid homemaker,
Saasanam aakida vaa vaa neeCome to write your own destiny!
Female
{Kannae en Kadambari{ Oh my darling, my Kadambari,
Kan moodi thoongum kiliA parrot sleeping with its eyes closed,
Kaalangal odum iniTime will fly from now on,
Vaagai sooda odi vaa vaaRun and come to wear the crown of victory!
Female
Engengum kollum kaigalHands that kill everywhere,
Kolaaru seiyum poigalLies that cause turmoil,
Kaattaaraai maari neeyumTransforming into a wild river, you...
Kaadu medu thaandi vaa vaa } (2)Cross over forests and hills and come! } (2)
Vaa vaa..vaa vaa..vaa vaa…vaa vaa…Come, come.. come, come.. come, come.. come, come...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from 'Magalir Mattum' (2017) serves as a rousing feminist anthem that examines the systemic oppression and sacrifices imposed on women across generations. Starting with mythological allusions to Gandhari and Sita—women whose narratives were shaped by sacrifice, blind compliance, and imprisonment—the song transitions into the real-world struggles modern women face. It highlights hardships from female infanticide ('kallipaal') and educational barriers to the erasure of identity after marriage and the unacknowledged labor of homemakers.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Allusion (Illadhisi Ani)

Gandhari yaaro kan paaraadha thaaro... Seethaigal yaaro sirai meelaadhadhaaro

References classical epic characters (Gandhari from Mahabharata and Sita from Ramayana) to illustrate the historic, continuous cycle of women's suffering and societal boundaries.

Monai (First-letter Alliteration)

Kannae en Kadambari / Kan moodi thoongum kili

Repetition of the initial consonant 'K' sound across the words in these lines creates a rhythmic and soothing musical flow.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Kaattaaraai maari neeyum / Kaadu medu thaandi vaa vaa

Compares a woman breaking societal restrictions to a raging wild river ('Kaattaaru') that forcefully carves its path across terrain.

Simile (Uvamai Ani)

Thamaraiyaagi nindromae

Compares women rising above life's harsh conditions (stones and thorns) to a lotus flower blossoming beautifully out of muddy waters.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by female lyricist Thamarai, this song forms a key thematic element in 'Magalir Mattum' (2017), a film directed by Bramma and produced by Suriya's 2D Entertainment. The movie heavily centers on female bonding, empowerment, and independence, starring Jyothika alongside veteran actors Urvashi, Bhanupriya, and Saranya Ponvannan. The musical score for the film was composed by Ghibran.

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