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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Indha Pazhasa

From Thooya Ullam · 1961

Lyricist
Udumalai Narayanakavi
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
Pendyala Nageswara Rao
Movie name
Thooya Ullam
Movie release year
1961
Lyrics added on
27 Jan 2025

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Indha pazhasa avuthu pottu
Pudhu podava ravikka maattu
Indha pazhasa avuthu pottu
Pudhu podava ravikka maattu
Veliya kelambhu kelambhu
Nee kadhva izhuthu poottu
Kadaveedhi mele povom
Vaa selavukkindhaa nottu
Avasarapadathae atha mavanae
Veenae avasiyam illadha selavu namakku venam
Appan pattan thedi vecha
Highwayzoom namakkillae
Annaada kaayichi naama
Adhukkellaam tharamillae
Aala yeichi pozhaikkum
Kurukku moolaikkoda unakkillae
Avasarapadathae atha mavanae
Veenae avasiyam illadha selavu namakku venam
Ozhaichu thingha udambil namakku balamirukkudhae
Unmaiyodu udhavikkaaga neeyum irukkira
Saami alavilladha kozhandhai selvam koduthirukkudhae
Naambha thalarndha bodhu paadhukaakkum edhukku muzhikkire
Manasu vuttudadhae maaman magale
Pinnae vaadiyamma povom yendi raghala
Kanane manasu vuttudadhae maaman magale
Nammai pola pullaikutti
Naayaai alaiyanuma
Nanum neeyum ponaa naadhi yedhum ondumaa
Unnai pola padikkadha muttaalaagonuma
Yosikkaatti pinnalae mosam aagumae
Maama varushma oru presavam thavaruvathillai
Naanum vathalaaghi poyitten sakthiyum illai
Machaan avasarapadathae atha mavanae
Nadantha varaikkum kadavul sealu nadanthu pochuthu
Naalaiyodu kozhandha kanakku niruthiyachudhu
Namma kudumba nelama therinju selava korachumaachudhu
Pulla kozhandha kuttiya valarkkum vazhiyum purinju pochudhu
Manasu vuttudadhae maaman magale
Vandha varava micham pidippen maaman magale
Take off these old clothes,
Put on a new sari and blouse!
Take off these old clothes,
Put on a new sari and blouse!
Get ready to go out, come on!
Pull the door shut and lock it!
Let's head over to the market,
Come on, here is cash to spend!
Don't be in a rush, my dear cousin,
We don't need unnecessary spending for no reason.
Left behind by fathers and grandfathers,
We don't own big estates or wealth.
We live hand-to-mouth by each day's hard work,
We simply can't afford all that luxury.
To cheat people and make a living,
You don't even have a crooked mind!
Don't be in a rush, my dear cousin,
We don't need unnecessary spending for no reason.
We have the strength in our bodies to work hard and eat,
And you are faithfully right beside me to help.
God has blessed us with countless children,
They will care for us when we grow frail—why look so worried?
Don't lose heart, my dear cousin,
Come along now, let's go, why make a fuss?
My dear, don't lose heart, my beloved cousin!
Should our children, just like us,
Have to wander and suffer like strays?
If something happens to you and me, is there anyone to look after them?
Should they also grow up uneducated like you?
If we don't think ahead, things will turn out terrible later!
Every single year without fail, there is another childbirth!
I have become skin and bones, and I have no strength left.
My dear man, don't rush, my cousin!
Whatever happened so far was God's will; it is done.
From tomorrow, the baby count is stopped for good!
Understanding our family's situation, we will cut down our expenses,
And I have figured out the right way to raise our children.
Don't lose heart, my dear cousin,
I will save from the income we earn, my dear cousin!
Male
Female
Female
Male
Male
Female
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song from 'Thooya Ullam' (1961) is a realistic and pragmatic conversation between a working-class husband and wife regarding financial prudence and family planning. The husband exuberantly urges his wife to dress up and spend money at the market. However, his practical wife cautions him against frivolous spending, reminding him of their hand-to-mouth existence and the absence of inherited wealth. As the dialogue progresses, the wife addresses the toll of frequent childbirths on her health and expresses concern for their children's future and education. Moved by her concern, the husband realizes his responsibility, agreeing to adopt family planning, cut unnecessary expenses, and save money to secure their family's future.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

“Indha pazhasa avuthu pottu / Pudhu podava ravikka maattu”

Rhyming of the second consonant sound across lines to create rhythmic symmetry, seen in 'pazhasa' and 'podava'.

Metaphor (Kozhandhai Selvam)

“Saami alavilladha kozhandhai selvam koduthirukkudhae”

Children are metaphorically described as 'selvam' (wealth), reflecting the traditional cultural view of family as prosperity.

Simile (Naayaai alaiyanuma)

“Nammai pola pullaikutti / Naayaai alaiyanuma”

Compares uncared-for children wandering without education or guidance to stray dogs ('naayaai').

Didactic / Reformist Rhetoric

“Naalaiyodu kozhandha kanakku niruthiyachudhu”

Direct social commentary advocating for family planning and financial budgeting, characteristic of Udumalai Narayanakavi's reformist lyrics.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by Udumalai Narayanakavi (popularly known as 'Kavirayar'), a pioneer of social reform lyrics in Tamil cinema, this song is a classic example of early 1960s cinema being used to promote social awareness such as family planning, women's health, and household financial literacy.

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