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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ippo Theeradha Thuyaraale

From Devaki (1951) · 1951

Lyricist
Ka. Mu. Sheriff
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Details
Devaki (1951)1951

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Munnaalil aandavanae neril vanthuIn ancient times, God Himself came in person
Paththinimaar thuyaram theerththaaraamAnd relieved the suffering of virtuous women, so it is said.
Aanaal innaalil paththinimaar padum thuyaramBut nowadays, the suffering endured by virtuous women
Theerpatharkko evarumillai….Has no one left to relieve it.
Male
Ippo theeraatha thuyaraalae paazhagiyaeNow, ruined by relentless sorrow,
Pengalae thaenju odaagi thindaaduraangaWomen wear down to bare shells and struggle endlessly.
Male
Ippo theeraatha thuyaraalae paazhagiyaeNow, ruined by relentless sorrow,
Pengalae thaenju odaagi thindaaduraangaWomen wear down to bare shells and struggle endlessly.
Theeraathatheno thunbam thaanaeWhy does this suffering never end?
Deivam illaama ponathoHas God vanished completely?
Theeraathatheno thunbam thaanaeWhy does this suffering never end?
Deivam illaama ponathoHas God vanished completely?
Male
Sugamaaga thaai veettil valarntha pengalWomen who grew up comfortably in their mother's house,
Soththurimai illaatha kaaranaththaalDue to having no right to property,
Thavari poei yaezhaikku vaazhkkaippattaalIf by misfortune they are married to a poor man,
Thavikkiraargal pettrorum mathippathillaiThey suffer in agony, and even their parents do not respect them.
Male
Panam irunthaakkaIf money is present,
Panam irunthaakka ulagaththil ellaarumaeIf money is present, everyone in the world
Thediyae sontham ellaamae kondaaduvaangaWill seek them out and celebrate them as relatives.
Panam irunthaakka ulagaththil ellaarumaeIf money is present, everyone in the world
Thediyae sontham ellaamae kondaaduvaangaWill seek them out and celebrate them as relatives.
Male
Illaatha pothu yaarumaeWhen money is absent, no one
Enna maattaanga sonthamaeWill consider them as their kin.
Panam illaatha pothu yaarumaeWhen money is absent, no one
Enna maattaanga sonthamaeWill consider them as their kin.
Male
Ippo theeraatha thuyaraalae paazhaagiyaeNow, ruined by endless sorrow,
Pengalae theinju odaagi thindaadurangaWomen wear away to bare shells and struggle endlessly.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a social critique comparing the mythical past with contemporary reality regarding the treatment of women. While ancient stories tell of God intervening to save virtuous women in distress, modern women face relentless hardship with no divine or human rescue. The lyric explicitly criticizes the lack of property rights for women, pointing out that a woman married into poverty is discarded and disrespected even by her own natal family. Ultimately, it highlights the materialism of society, where relationships and respect depend entirely on wealth, leaving impoverished women in utter misery.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Antithesis (Muran)

Munnaalil aandavanae neril vanthu... Aanaal innaalil paththinimaar padum thuyaram

Contrasts the past era where God personally relieved women's suffering with the present era where no one comes to help.

Rhetorical Question

Deivam illaama ponatho

The speaker asks whether God has ceased to exist to emphasize the depth of unalleviated human suffering.

Metaphor

Pengalae thaenju odaagi thindaaduraanga

Compares women worn down by suffering to hollow shells ('odaagi'), symbolizing physical and emotional depletion.

Contrast (Ethirsol)

Panam irunthaakka... Illaatha pothu yaarumae

Juxtaposes how society treats people when they have money versus when they do not.

Did you know?

Trivia

Featured in the 1951 film 'Devaki', this track is an early milestone in legendary playback singer T. M. Soundararajan's career. Lyricist Ka. Mu. Sheriff incorporated strong social reform themes into the song, specifically calling out 'Soththurimai' (property rights for women), reflecting contemporary socio-political discussions in Tamil Nadu around women's financial independence prior to the Hindu Succession Act of 1956.

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