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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ithazh Inikka

From Agni Paarvai · 1992

Lyricist
Kuruvikkarambai Shanmugam
Singers
Mano, K. S. Chithra
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Agni Paarvai1992

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Idhazh inikka isaikkumO young flowers playing music with sweet lips
Ilam pookkalaeO young flowers
Adi eduthu kodukkumGiving the starting beat
Isai paadalaeO musical song
Ini arangil nadakkum oru pottiyaeNow a contest that happens on stage
Kalai valara jeyikkum isai paadiyaeSinging music to win so art can flourish
Male
Idhu raajaavin raajaangamThis is the king's kingdom
Pudhu rojaavin boopaalamThe morning ragam of a new rose
Suga sangeetha oorkolamA procession of delightful music
Varum ullaasa vaibogamAn incoming joyful festival
Female
Oru yogamae parisaagumaeA fortune itself will become the reward
Kara oligal kodukkum suga layangalaePleasant rhythms provided by applause
Female
Idhazh inikka isaikkumO young flowers playing music with sweet lips
Ilam pookkalaeO young flowers
Adi eduthu kodukkumGiving the starting beat
Isai paadalaeO musical song
Ini arangil nadakkum oru pottiyae..ae…Now a contest that happens on stage...
Female
Vinvelikku poi varavaeTo travel to space and return
Vinkalathil yetri vaithaeSending women up in spacecrafts
Pengalaiyum pottrumForeign nations are the ones
Ayal naadu thaanThat truly honor women
Male
Pengalukku seervarisaiGiving dowry gifts to women
Seivadhilae peru petraFamous for practicing this
Unnadhathil baaradhamCan grand India ever become equal
Pol aagumoTo those nations?
Female
Kaalam ellaamAll through the ages
Maadhar thammaiTo keep women confined
Soru mattum aakkidavaeJust to cook meals
Pen adimai aakki vaithaar needhiyaaMaking women slaves, is this justice?
Male
Aanum pennumMan and woman
Serum vaazhvilIn life spent together
Aanin nizhal aavadhuvaeBecoming the shadow of a man
Pengalukku paadhugaappu aagumaeIs the real protection for women
Female
Suga vaazhvil aanin adimaiSlaves to men in a comfortable life
Ingu yedhu pennukku urimaiWhat right does a woman have here?
Male
Samamaaga aanum pennumEqually, man and woman
Ondru serndhu vaazhum nilam idhaeThis is the land where they live united
Female
Ini maadharin nilai ongavaeFrom now on, for women's status to rise
Sama urimai adaiya kural kodukkalaamWe can raise our voice for equal rights
Male
Idhazh inikka isaikkumO young flowers playing music with sweet lips
Ilam pookkalaeO young flowers
Adi eduthu kodukkumGiving the starting beat
Isai paadalaeO musical song
Female :Ini arangil nadakkumFemale: Now happening on stage
Oru pottiyae..ae…A contest... ae...
Chorus
………………………………….[Interlude / Musical beat]
Female
Ethanaiyo naattinilaeIn so many countries
Pandhaiyatthil potti ittaeCompeting in track races
Vetri petra P T usha ponnu thaanP. T. Usha is a successful woman
Male
Illai endru yaaru sonnaaWho said no to that?
Nalla padi payirchi thandhaThe person who trained her well
Aan pillaiyum keralatthuThe male coach is also a person
Aalu thaanFrom Kerala
Female
Vaelai vetti yedhum indriWithout any proper work
Saalai pakkam kaathirundhaeWaiting by the roadside
Pengalaiyae nottam idum romeoThe Romeos who stare at women
Male
Naangal kettu ponadharkkuFor us going astray
Selai maari pondhu thaanHiding behind the sari like a hollow
Unmaiyilae kaaranam thaan aagumaeIs truly the main reason
Female
Pazhi pesi pennai pazhikkumBlaming and insulting women
Idhu thaanae aanin vazhakkamThis alone is man's habit
Male
Idhu poga poga puriyumThis will be understood as time goes on
Nijam yedhu thaan endru theriyumWhat the truth is will be known
Female
Varum kaalamum sariyaagavaeFor the coming times to be right
Thalai nimirndhu ezhundhu anivagukkalaamWe can stand tall and march forward
Male
Idhazh inikka isaikkumO young flowers playing music with sweet lips
Ilam pookkalaeO young flowers
Adi eduthu kodukkumGiving the starting beat
Isai paadalaeO musical song
Female :Ini arangil nadakkum oru pottiyaeFemale: Now a contest that happens on stage
Kalai valara jeyikkum isai paadiyaeSinging music to win so art can flourish
Male
Idhu raajaavin raajaangamThis is the king's kingdom
Pudhu rojaavin boopaalamThe morning ragam of a new rose
Female
Suga sangeetha oorkolamA procession of delightful music
Varum ullaasa vaibogamAn incoming joyful festival
Male
Oru yogamae parisaagumaeA fortune itself will become the reward
Kara oligal kodukkum suga layangalaePleasant rhythms provided by applause
Female
Idhazh inikka isaikkumO young flowers playing music with sweet lips
Ilam pookkalaeO young flowers
Adi eduthu kodukkumGiving the starting beat
Isai paadalaeO musical song
Male :Ini arangil nadakkumMale: Now happening on stage
Oru pottiyae hoo oooA contest... hoo ooo

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song presents a lively musical debate (patti mandram style) between male and female perspectives on stage, centered on women's rights, gender equality, and social roles. The female perspective argues against patriarchal subjugation, highlighting how women are restricted to domestic duties and objectified, while invoking international progress and female icons like athlete P. T. Usha. The male perspective responds by pointing out men's roles in supporting and training women, arguing for harmony and protective partnership. Ultimately, the song champions equal rights, mutual respect, and rising together with head held high for a balanced future.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Idhazh inikka isaikkum / Adi eduthu kodukkum

The second letters 'dh' match in 'Idhazh' and 'Adi', creating Tamil rhythmic harmony.

Moonaai (Initial Alliteration)

Idhazh inikka isaikkum / Ilam pookkalae

Repetition of initial vowel sounds 'I' across 'Idhazh' and 'Ilam'.

Metaphor

Ilam pookkalae

Comparing singers/performers to young blooming flowers ('Ilam pookkalae').

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by lyricist Kuruvikkarambai Shanmugam for the 1992 Tamil film 'Agni Paarvai', the song functions as a stage debate song (Patti Mandram Paattu), a popular trope in Tamil cinema during the 80s and 90s used to highlight social issues like gender equality through catchy rhythmic dialogues.

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