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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Idhu Ketka Thigattatha Ganam

From Miruthanga Chakravarthi · 1983

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
Balamuralikrishna
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Miruthanga Chakravarthi1983

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Aa…..aaa….aaa…aaa…aaaa….Aalaap vocalizations.
Aaaa…aaa….aaa….aaa….aaa….aaa….aaa…Aalaap vocalizations continuation.
Aaaa…..aaa….aaa….aaa…aa…aa…Aalaap vocalizations continuation.
Male
Idhu kaetka thigattaadha gaanamThis is a song that never tires the ears to listen to.
Oru eedu inai illaa dhyaanamIt is an incomparable meditation.
Nalla kaarvai vilangum kural jaalamA vocal magic featuring deep resonance and clarity.
Idhil thevai enna pakka melamWhat is the need for accompaniment percussion here?
Idhil thevai enna pakka melamWhat is the need for accompaniment percussion here?
Kaetka thigattaaNever cloying to listen to...
Male
Naan paada saagithyamFor me to sing, lyricism
Thavam seidhadhuperformed severe penance;
Raagam naal thorum enai enniThinking of me every single day, the melody
Thavam seidhadhuperformed penance.
Indha saareeram ellorkkum vaaikkaadhadhuThis vocal capability is not gifted to everyone.
Aa….aa….aa….aa….aa….aa…..aa….aa…Melodic vocalizing.
Endhan sangeedham vaerengum kaetkaadhadhuMy music cannot be heard anywhere else.
Endhan sangeedham vaerengum kaetkaadhadhuMy music cannot be heard anywhere else.
Male
Idhu kaetka thigattaadha gaanamThis is a song that never tires the ears to listen to.
Oru eedu inai illaa dhyaanamIt is an incomparable meditation.
Nalla kaarvai vilangum kural jaalamA vocal magic featuring deep resonance and clarity.
Idhil thevai enna… enna… enna…What is the need here... what... what...
Tharkka vaadhamfor logical arguments?
Male
Mani kuyil paadaWhen the precious cuckoo bird sings,
Mathaalam yaedhuwhere is the mridangam drum?
Male
Vandinam paadaWhen swarms of bees hum and sing,
Maelangal yaedhuwhere are the ceremonial drums?
Gagaa sasaa riree gagaa papaaSolfa musical notes (Ga ga sa sa ri ri ga ga pa pa).
Dhadhaa riree sasaaSolfa musical notes (Dha dha ri ri sa sa).
Male
Aruvigal paadum thaanaagavaeWaterfalls sing all on their own.
Aa…aa….aa….aa….aa…aa….Vocalizing notes.
Adhu seviyinil paayum thaenaagavaeIt flows like sweet honey pouring into the ears.
Male
Rigga padhasaSolfa musical notes (Ri ga pa dha sa).
Kaetka thigattaadha gaanamA song that never tires the ears to listen to.
Male
Riga gapa padha dhasari padhasa dhasaSolfa musical notes improvisation.
Kaetka thigattaadhaNever cloying to listen to...
Male
Sasasasa sasasasa ririsasa asasasaFast-paced solfa musical notes.
Dhadhadhadha dhadhadhadha padhasariFast-paced solfa musical notes continuation.
Kaetka thigattaadha gaanamA song that never tires the ears to listen to.
Male
Riga gagaga dhasariSolfa musical notes improvisation.
Padhasapa dhadhadhadhaSolfa musical notes improvisation.
Gapadha rigapadha risagari risasadhaSolfa musical notes improvisation.
Risadhasa sadhapadhapagaSolfa musical notes improvisation.
Paadhapa dhaasadha saarisa reegaSolfa musical notes improvisation.
Kaetka thigattaadha gaanamA song that never tires the ears to listen to.
Male
Ririga ririri ririga riririComplex rhythmic swara patterns.
Gapaa dhadhari sasasa dhasadhari sasasa sariComplex rhythmic swara patterns.
Gagaga reeri ririri saasa sasasa dhaadhaComplex rhythmic swara patterns.
Rigapa gapadha padhari rigapadhasaComplex rhythmic swara patterns.
Kaetka thigattaadha gaanamA song that never tires the ears to listen to.
Male
Sasa sasasasa risa sasasadhaHigh-speed swara passages.
Dhasa dhadhasadha dhasa dhadhapadhaHigh-speed swara passages.
Male
DhaadhaadhaadhaagaSustained musical swara note.
Dhasagapadhasa sasasasaHigh-speed swara passages.
Sasa padhasaSwara note patterns.
Male
Pasa saririga dhasa saririga gari gariSwara note patterns.
Male
Padhadhasasari padhasasasari risa risaSwara note patterns.
Male
Pasasari gari gariSwara note patterns.
Male
Gapadhasa risa risaSwara note patterns.
Male
Sasasari garigaSwara note patterns.
Male
Gapadhasa risariSwara note patterns.
Male
Rigagaa sariree dhasaasa padhaaConcluding swara note sequence.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic song, 'Idhu Kaetka Thigattaadha Gaanam', celebrates the divine power, purity, and self-contained perfection of classical vocal music. The singer boasts that his voice and melody are supreme gifts bestowed by penance, creating a meditative state that requires no external percussion or instrumental backing. To prove this point, the lyricist draws vivid comparisons with nature: the cuckoo, buzzing honeybees, and cascading waterfalls create breathtaking music naturally without any drums or accompaniment. The composition transitions into complex, exhilarating Carnatic swara (solfege) improvisations, showcasing vocal virtuosity.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagham)

Oru eedu inai illaa dhyaanam

Comparing music directly to meditation ('Oru eedu inai illaa dhyaanam') and describing the sound as honey flowing into the ears ('seviyinil paayum thaenaagavae').

Personification (Tharkurippettra Ani)

Raagam naal thorum enai enni

Attributing human actions of penance and devotion to lyrical poetry and musical ragas ('Raagam naal thorum enai enni thavam seidhadhu').

Rhetorical Question & Nature Imagery

Mani kuyil paada mathaalam yaedhu

Using poetic questions highlighting nature's unassisted melody (cuckoos, bees, waterfalls) to argue against needing artificial accompaniment.

Did you know?

Trivia

This track from 'Miruthanga Chakravarthi' (1983) features legendary Carnatic classical vocalist Dr. M. Balamuralikrishna. The music was composed by M. S. Viswanathan (MSV) with lyrics by Vaali. The song highlights a dramatic musical debate/confrontation in the film, contrasting pure vocal art with percussive accompaniment.

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