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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ila Meesaiyulla

From Aaravalli · 1957

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singers
T. V. Rathnam, K. Jamunarani
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Details
Aaravalli1957

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Ooo….ila meesaiyullaOoo... young men with fine mustaches,
Aambalainga vaarungaCome forward, men!
Naanga roshamullaWe are women with self-respect,
Pombalainga kelungaListen to us!
Female
Ooooo….Summaa ingae vanthuOooo... just coming here,
Moraikkaama paarungaDo not glare, look properly!
Maanida sengarumbuHuman red sugarcanes,
Thundu rendu paarungaLook at these two pieces!
Pennai jeyikka aangalinaalFor men to conquer women,
Pennai jeyikka aangalinaalFor men to conquer women,
Mudiyaathunga…..It is impossible...
Female
Inimae nambakittaFrom now on, with us,
Sellaathunga vaalungaYour clever tricks will not work!
Maanida sengarumbuHuman red sugarcanes,
Thundu rendu paarungaLook at these two pieces!
Pennai jeyikka aangalinaalFor men to conquer women,
Pennai jeyikka aangalinaalFor men to conquer women,
Mudiyaathunga…..It is impossible...
Female
Oooo….ini aangalinaal yaarukkum veeramOooo... even if men boast of valor now,
Vanthumae paarunga theeraththai paarpomCome and see, we shall test their courage!
Pennai jeyikka aangalinaalFor men to conquer women,
Pennai jeyikka aangalinaalFor men to conquer women,
Mudiyaathunga…..It is impossible...
Female
Bhuvi aandavan koodavae vaazhvilEven alongside the Ruler of the Earth in life,
Vanjaga paandavar koodavae nerilOr directly against the treacherous Pandavas,
Pennai jeyikka aangalinaalFor men to conquer women,
Pennai jeyikka aangalinaalFor men to conquer women,
Mudiyaathunga…..It is impossible...
Female
Oooo…udal paarvaiyilOooo... in physical appearance,
Cholai maanaamLike a deer in a grove,
Kodiya porthanil veeram kaanumYet in fierce battle, valor is seen!
Female
Oooo…..kadal aazhaththaiOooo... the depths of the ocean,
Koodavae kaanbomWe shall explore together,
Uyir povathai koodavae paaromWe do not even fear losing our lives!
Pennai jeyikka aangalinaalFor men to conquer women,
Pennai jeyikka aangalinaalFor men to conquer women,
Mudiyaathunga…..It is impossible...
Female
Thani aatchiyil naamae naattilaeUnder our independent rule in this country,
Vaan pugazh soottuvom vaazhvin yaettilaeWe shall adorn sky-high fame in the pages of life!
Pennai jeyikka aangalinaalFor men to conquer women,
Pennai jeyikka aangalinaalFor men to conquer women,
Mudiyaathunga…..It is impossible...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This spirited track from the 1957 Tamil film 'Aaravalli' is a feminist anthem challenging male dominance and asserting female superiority, courage, and self-sufficiency. Lyricist A. Maruthakasi presents a direct defiance against patriarchal authority, declaring that men can never conquer women either in intellect, battle, or spirit.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Maanida sengarumbu

Compares the sweet yet firm demeanor of women to 'red sugarcane' (Maanida sengarumbu).

Simile (Uvamai)

Cholai maanaam

Compares a woman's graceful physical appearance to a gentle deer roaming in a grove.

Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Bhuvi aandavan koodavae vaazhvil / Vanjaga paandavar koodavae neril

The second letters of 'Bhuvi' (hu) and 'Vanjaga' (n/j harmony in meter) match alongside 'aandavan' and 'paandavar', creating a strong rhythm.

Refrain / Repetition (Madakku)

Pennai jeyikka aangalinaal / Mudiyaathunga…..

The repeated line emphasizes the core philosophical message of the song that men cannot defeat women.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Aaravalli' (1957) is based on the popular Tamil folk legend of Aaravalli and Sooravalli—seven legendary sisters who established a matriarchal kingdom and defeated male warriors using magic, trickery, and martial power.

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