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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Indha Boomi Vedha Potta

From Mann Vasanai · 1983

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singer
Ilayaraja
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Mann Vasanai1983

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Aa..indha boomi vedha pottaaAh, if seeds are sown in this earth,
Ponnu velaiyura boomi nalla boomiThe earth that yields gold is a good land.
Namma saami varam kettaaIf we ask our deity for a boon,
Alli kodukkura saami nalla saamiThe deity who gives abundantly is a good god.
Male
Kaalaiyilae meiya pogum aadaeThe sheep that goes to graze in the morning,
Maalaiyil vandhu serum veduAnd returns home in the evening,
En thaagathukku thanni thandha maariLike the Mother Mariyamman who gave water for my thirst,
Thandhidamma selvangala vaariShower us with abundant riches, O Mother!
Male
Ponga veikkanumMake prosperity overflow,
Chorus :AaamamaamamamamaChorus: Yes, indeed!
Male :Namma nenja maariyammanMale: Mariyamman living in our hearts,
Ponga veikkanumMake prosperity overflow,
Chorus :AaamamaamamamamaChorus: Yes, indeed!
Male :Thanga veikkanumMale: Make it stay,
Chorus :AaamamamamamaChorus: Yes, indeed!
Male :Santhosatha engalodaMale: Keep joy residing with us,
Thanga veikkanumChorus: Yes, indeed!
Chorus :AaamamamamamaMen must demonstrate their valor,
Chorus
Aambala jaadhinga veeratha kattanumWomen must safeguard their honor,
Pombala jaadhinga maanatha kakkanumMen must demonstrate their valor,
Aambala jaadhinga veeratha kattanumWomen must safeguard their honor,
Pombala jaadhinga maanatha kakkanumCome, come Jakkamma, near the bull-taming arena entrance,
Vaadi vaadi jakkamma vaadivasal pakkamaShall we watch Jallikattu? Weave a garland for my beloved,
Jallikattu pappoma machaanukku maala kattammaIf seeds are sown in this earth,
Male
Indha boomi vedha pottaaThe earth that yields gold is a good land,
Ponnu velaiyura boomi nalla boomiIf we ask our deity for a boon,
Namma saami varam kettaaThe deity who gives abundantly is a good god.
Alli kodukkura saami nalla saami[Instrumental Interlude]
Male
…………………If seeds are sown in this earth,
Male
Indha boomi vedha pottaaThe earth that yields gold is a good land.
Ponnu velaiyura boomi nalla boomi

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This folk track from Mann Vasanai (1983) is a vibrant celebration of village culture, fertile soil, and devotion to the village deity, Goddess Mariyamman. The lyrics pay tribute to the generosity of the land where sowing seeds yields rich harvests compared to gold, and pray for the deity to bless the village with unending wealth, joy, and prosperity. The song also captures the quintessential rural Tamil lifestyle and values—contrasting male bravery with female honor, calling the community together to witness traditional sports like Jallikattu (bull-taming), and immersing the listener in the authentic folk spirit of rural Tamil Nadu.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Ponnu velaiyura boomi nalla boomi

Describing crops harvested from the soil as 'Pon' (gold) to emphasize the extreme fertility and richness of the land.

Contrast / Couplet Parallelism (Aethukai / Edukkai)

Aambala jaadhinga veeratha kattanum / Pombala jaadhinga maanatha kakkanum

Juxtaposition of male and female traditional social expectations in parallel rhythmic structures ('Aambala jaadhinga' vs 'Pombala jaadhinga').

Call and Response (Folk Refrain)

Chorus :Aaamamaamamamama

Use of chorus responses ('Aaamamaamamamama') echoing the lead singer, characteristic of traditional village ritual singing.

Did you know?

Trivia

Mann Vasanai (1983), directed by P. Bharathiraja, marked the silver screen debut of both Revathi and Pandiyan. The soundtrack composed by Ilaiyaraaja was a massive commercial success, celebrated for authentically bringing the rustic 'fragrance of the soil' (Mann Vasanai) into mainstream Tamil cinema audio.

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