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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
Movie name
Kadavulin Kuzhandhai
Movie release year
1960
Lyrics added on
17 Dec 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Aa…..aa….aa….aa….
Ilanthamizhaa….ilanthamizhaa…
Unnai kaana inbam peruguthu
Idhuvaraikkum enakkiruntha thunbam kuraiyuthu
Ilanthamizhaa….
Unnai kaana inbam peruguthu
Idhuvaraikkum enakkiruntha thunbam kuraiyuthu
Pandiruntha sera chola pandi mannar
Ninaivellaam…aa…aaa….aa….
Pandiruntha sera chola pandi mannar
Ninaivellaam paayuthadaa aa….aa….
Paayuthadaa unnai indru
Paarkkumpothu nenjilae
Paayuthadaa unnai indru
Paarkkumpothu nenjilae
Ilanthamizhaa….
Unnai kaana inbam peruguthu
Idhuvaraikkum enakkiruntha thunbam kuraiyuthu
Konda kolgai arunthidaamal
Uyir kodutha veerargal
Kodi kodi tamizhar vaazhntha
Kadhaigal kannil theriyuthu
Tamilan endra perumaiyodu
Thalai nimirnthu nilladaa…aa…aa…aa…aa…
Tamilan endra perumaiyodu
Thalai nimirnthu nilladaa…
Tharaniyellaam inaiyillaa
Un sarithai kondu selladaa
Ilanthamizhaa…aa….aa..ilanthamizhaa…
Unnai kaana inbam peruguthu
Idhuvaraikkum enakkiruntha thunbam kuraiyuthu
Aa…aa….aa….aa…aa…aa….aa….aa….
Aa... aa... aa... aa...
O young Tamil... O young Tamil...
Seeing you, my joy overflows,
And all the sorrow I carried till now fades away.
O young Tamil...
Seeing you, my joy overflows,
And all the sorrow I carried till now fades away.
The Chera, Chola, and Pandya kings of ancient times—
All memories of them... ah... aa... aa...
The memories of the Chera, Chola, and Pandya kings of the past,
They surge within me... ah... aa...
They surge within me today,
In my heart, as I look at you!
They surge within me today,
In my heart, as I look at you!
O young Tamil...
Seeing you, my joy overflows,
And all the sorrow I carried till now fades away.
Never letting go of their cherished ideals,
The brave warriors who laid down their lives,
And the stories of millions of Tamils who lived—
They shine clearly before my eyes!
With the pride of being a Tamil,
Hold your head high and stand tall... ah... aa... aa...
With the pride of being a Tamil,
Hold your head high and stand tall!
Matchless across the entire world,
Take your history and carry it forward!
O young Tamil... ah... aa... O young Tamil...
Seeing you, my joy overflows,
And all the sorrow I carried till now fades away.
Ah... aa... aa... aa... ah... aa... aa... aa...
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

'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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