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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Indha Maanilathai

From Kalyaniyin Kanavan · 1963

Lyricist
Pattukkottai Kalyanasundram
Singers
P. Susheela, P. B. Sreenivas
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Movie name
Kalyaniyin Kanavan
Movie release year
1963
Lyrics added on
28 May 2025

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Indha maanilathai paaraai maganae
Undhan vaazhkaithanai unarvaai maganae
Ilam manadhil valimai dhanai yettradaa
Mugha vattamadhai uzhaippaal mattradaa
Indha maanilathai paaraai maganae
Undhan vaazhkaithanai unarvaai maganae
Ilam manadhil valimai dhanai yettradaa
Mugha vattamadhai uzhaippaal mattradaa
Both : Indha maanilathai paaraai maganae
Thuyardhanai kandae bayandhu vidaadhae
Sorvai vendraalae thunbamillai
Aaa..aaa..uyarndhidavae nee unnaiyae nambiduvaai
Udhavi seivaargal yaarum illai
Baedhathai paesi nerathai vilungum
Pitharumundu avar baktharumundu
Aa…aaa….laabathai vendi aabathil veezhum
Nambarumundu verum vambarumundu
Look at this world, my son,
Understand what your life is, my son.
Fill your young heart with strength!
Transform your face through hard work!
Look at this world, my son,
Understand what your life is, my son.
Fill your young heart with strength!
Transform your face through hard work!
Both: Look at this world, my son,
Do not be frightened when you face sorrow,
If you conquer weariness, there is no misery.
Ah... to rise high, believe in yourself,
For there is no one who will come to help you.
Preaching divisions and wasting time,
There are madmen, and there are fools who follow them!
Ah... chasing after profit and falling into danger,
There are gullible people, and there are mere troublemakers!
Male
Female
Male
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song serves as an uplifting and philosophical guide offered to a young child, urging him to observe the world with wisdom and face life with resilience. Written with strong social realism and moral clarity, it emphasizes the dignity of labor, self-reliance, and emotional fortitude, cautioning the youth against expecting help from others or being swayed by deceptive people and petty societal divisions.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

“Nambarumundu verum vambarumundu”

The repetition of the second consonant sound 'm' in 'Nambarumundu' and 'vambarumundu' creates a rhythmic cadence in line 17.

Apostrophe / Direct Address

“Indha maanilathai paaraai maganae”

The speaker directly addresses 'maganae' (my son) throughout the refrain, imparting life advice through direct, instructive affection.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song's lyricist, Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram, was famous for weaving rationalist philosophy, social equality, and hard-work ethics into his movie lyrics, making his songs timeless motivational anthems in Tamil cinema.

Keep listening

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From the same album

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Enakku Vaikkum Maappillai1963
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Unakka Theriyadhu1963
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Thottathu Poovula Vasam1963
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Ayya Nin Karunai1963
Kalyaniyin KanavanDevotional

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