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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ilam Thamizha Unnai Kaana

From Kadavulin Kuzhandhai · 1960

Lyricist
Ramalingam Pillai
Singer
Thiruchi Loganathan
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Details
Kadavulin Kuzhandhai1960

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Aa…..aa….aa….aa….Ah... ah... ah... ah...
Male
Ilanthamizhaa….ilanthamizhaa…O young Tamilian! O young Tamilian!
Unnai kaana inbam peruguthuSeeing you fills my heart with mounting joy.
Idhuvaraikkum enakkiruntha thunbam kuraiyuthuAll the sorrow I held until now is diminishing.
Male
Ilanthamizhaa….O young Tamilian!
Unnai kaana inbam peruguthuSeeing you fills my heart with mounting joy.
Idhuvaraikkum enakkiruntha thunbam kuraiyuthuAll the sorrow I held until now is diminishing.
Male
Pandiruntha sera chola pandi mannarThe ancient kings of Chera, Chola, and Pandya dynasties,
Ninaivellaam…aa…aaa….aa….All their memories... ah... ah...
Pandiruntha sera chola pandi mannarThe ancient kings of Chera, Chola, and Pandya dynasties,
Ninaivellaam paayuthadaa aa….aa….All their memories come rushing through, ah... ah...
Paayuthadaa unnai indruThey surge forth today as I look upon you,
Paarkkumpothu nenjilaeInside my heart as I see you.
Paayuthadaa unnai indruThey surge forth today as I look upon you,
Paarkkumpothu nenjilaeInside my heart as I see you.
Male
Ilanthamizhaa….O young Tamilian!
Unnai kaana inbam peruguthuSeeing you fills my heart with mounting joy.
Idhuvaraikkum enakkiruntha thunbam kuraiyuthuAll the sorrow I held until now is diminishing.
Male
Konda kolgai arunthidaamalWithout wavering from the principles they embraced,
Uyir kodutha veerargalThe brave heroes who sacrificed their lives,
Kodi kodi tamizhar vaazhnthaAnd the history of millions of Tamils who lived here,
Kadhaigal kannil theriyuthuThose glorious stories become visible before my eyes.
Male
Tamilan endra perumaiyoduWith the pride of being a Tamilian,
Thalai nimirnthu nilladaa…aa…aa…aa…aa…Hold your head high and stand proud... ah... ah...
Tamilan endra perumaiyoduWith the pride of being a Tamilian,
Thalai nimirnthu nilladaa…Hold your head high and stand proud!
Tharaniyellaam inaiyillaaAcross the entire world, take your unmatched history,
Un sarithai kondu selladaaAnd spread your peerless legacy everywhere!
Male
Ilanthamizhaa…aa….aa..ilanthamizhaa…O young Tamilian! O young Tamilian!
Unnai kaana inbam peruguthuSeeing you fills my heart with mounting joy.
Idhuvaraikkum enakkiruntha thunbam kuraiyuthuAll the sorrow I held until now is diminishing.
Male
Aa…aa….aa….aa…aa…aa….aa….aa….Ah... ah... ah... ah...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Ilanthamizhaa' is an inspiring song of Tamil pride and cultural awakening. Addressing the youth of Tamil Nadu, the speaker feels profound joy and relief, seeing the future of the nation reflected in young eyes. Looking at the youth brings back vivid memories of the glorious Chera, Chola, and Pandya rulers, as well as martyrs who sacrificed their lives for their cherished principles. The song serves as a powerful call to action, encouraging the young Tamilian to stand tall with self-respect, hold their head high with pride in their heritage, and take their peerless history to every corner of the world.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Anthesis (Muran)

Unnai kaana inbam peruguthu / Idhuvaraikkum enakkiruntha thunbam kuraiyuthu

Contrasting 'inbam peruguthu' (joy increases) with 'thunbam kuraiyuthu' (sorrow decreases) to highlight emotional transformation.

Etukai (Second-letter rhyme)

Unnai kaana inbam peruguthu / Idhuvaraikkum enakkiruntha thunbam kuraiyuthu

Rhyming of the second letter 'n' in 'inbam' and 'thunbam' across consecutive lines.

Monai (Initial consonant alliteration)

Konda kolgai arunthidaamal

Repetition of the 'k' sound in 'Konda kolgai' creating rhythmic flow.

Did you know?

Trivia

The lyricist Namakkal Kavignar V. Ramalingam Pillai was a renowned Gandhian freedom fighter and Tamil Nadu's first Poet Laureate (Samsthana Vidwan). His poetry frequently combined Tamil cultural pride with national independence ideals.

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