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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Isai Kettal Puvi

From Thavapudhalavan · 1972

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Thavapudhalavan1972

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Aa… aa… aa… aa…Aa… aa… aa… aa…
Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…Aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…
Haa….aaa….aa….aa…Haa….aaa….aa….aa…
Male
Isai kettaal puvi asaindhaadumWhen music is heard, the earth sways and dances
Adhu iraivan arulaagumThat is the divine grace of God
Male
Isai kettaal puvi asaindhaadumWhen music is heard, the earth sways and dances
Adhu iraivan arulaagumThat is the divine grace of God
Ezhaam kadalum vaanum nilavumThe seven seas, the sky, and the moon
Ennudan vilaiyaadumWill play together with me
Isai ennidam uruvaagumMusic takes shape within me
Isai ennidam uruvaagumMusic takes shape within me
Male
Isai kettaal puvi asaindhaadumWhen music is heard, the earth sways and dances
Adhu iraivan arulaagumThat is the divine grace of God
Male
En paadal sevi ketkkum virundhaagalaamMy song can be a feast for the ears that listen
En paadal noi theerkkum marundhaagalaamMy song can be a medicine that cures disease
En paadal sevi ketkkum virundhaagalaamMy song can be a feast for the ears that listen
En paadal noi theerkkum marundhaagalaamMy song can be a medicine that cures disease
Male
En maenmai iraivaa un arulaadhalaal…My greatness, Oh Lord, is due to your grace…
En maenmai iraivaa un arulaadhalaalMy greatness, Oh Lord, is due to your grace
Eriyaadha dheepathil oli vendinenI sought light from an unlit lamp
Eriyaadha dheepathil oli vendinenI sought light from an unlit lamp
Male
Ezhaam kadalum vaanum nilavumThe seven seas, the sky, and the moon
Ennudan vilaiyaadumWill play together with me
Isai ennidam uruvaagumMusic takes shape within me
Isai ennidam uruvaagumMusic takes shape within me
Male
Vidhiyodu vilaiyaadum raagangalaeOh ragas that play with destiny
Vilakkaettri uyir kaakka vaarungalaeCome forward to light the lamps and save a life
Kanalaendhi vaarungal dheepangalae… ae… ae…Oh lamps, come carrying flames… oh… oh…
Kanalaendhi vaarungal dheepangalaeOh lamps, come carrying flames
Karaindhodum noi ennum paavangalaeOh sins called diseases, you will melt away
Karaindhodum noi ennum paavangalaeOh sins called diseases, you will melt away
Male
Thathum kadalalai odi odi varumThe bounding sea waves will come running fast
Endhan isaiyudan aadi aadi varumThey will come dancing along with my music
DheepangalaeOh lamps!
Male
Endhan isaiyudan paadal ketta pinnumEven after hearing the song with my music
Innum varavillai seidha paavamennaWhy have you not arrived yet, what sin did I commit?
DheepangalaeOh lamps!
Male
Kannil kanal vara paada vendumenilIf I must sing until fire blazes in my eyes
Minnum oliyudan nooru paadal varumA hundred songs with glittering light will emerge
Dheepangalae… dheepangalae…Oh lamps… oh lamps…
Dheepangalae… dheepangalae…Oh lamps… oh lamps…
Male
Isai kettaal puvi asaindhaadumWhen music is heard, the earth sways and dances
Adhu iraivan arulaagum…That is the divine grace of God…

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic song, composed by M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics by Kannadasan and sung by T. M. Soundararajan for Sivaji Ganesan in the film 'Thavapudhalavan' (1972), celebrates the miraculous power of divine music. The protagonist sings with intense devotion and emotional fervour, describing music as a divine blessing capable of moving nature itself—the earth, sky, moon, and seven seas. He believes his music can act as a feast to the ears and a healing remedy for ailments. As the song reaches its emotional crescendo, the protagonist pleads with the ragas and lit lamps to save a life, viewing music as a force powerful enough to challenge destiny itself. The narrative reflects deep faith, passion, and the classical Indian belief that music infused with intense emotion and divine devotion can light unlit lamps and bring forth life-saving miracles.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

En paadal sevi ketkkum virundhaagalaam / En paadal noi theerkkum marundhaagalaam

Compares song directly to a feast for the ears ('sevi ketkkum virundhu') and medicine for illness ('noi theerkkum marundhu').

Personification (Tharkiipetru Aniyiyal)

Ezhaam kadalum vaanum nilavum ennudan vilaiyaadum

Attributes human behaviors like playing and dancing to natural elements like the sea, sky, moon, and ocean waves.

Apostrophe / Direct Address

Vidhiyodu vilaiyaadum raagangalae / Vilakkaettri uyir kaakka vaarungalae

Directly addresses musical ragas and lamps ('dheepangalae') as living entities capable of intervening in destiny.

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navitchi Ani)

Isai kettaal puvi asaindhaadum

Exaggerates the power of music, stating that the entire earth moves and sways upon hearing it.

Rhyme / Alliteration (Monai & Ethirhai)

En paadal sevi ketkkum virundhaagalaam / En paadal noi theerkkum marundhaagalaam

Repetition of initial and second consonant sounds across lines (e.g., 'Isai' / 'Adhu', 'En paadal' / 'En paadal') creating rhythmic harmony.

Did you know?

Trivia

In 'Thavapudhalavan' (1972), Sivaji Ganesan played a blind musician who runs an asylum. This iconic song rendered by T. M. Soundararajan and composed by M. S. Viswanathan is famous for its dramatic depiction of music lighting unlit lamps (reminiscent of the classical legend of Raga Deepak).

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