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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ivargal Indiyargal

From Ivargal Indiyargal · 1987

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, B. S. Sasirekha
Music director
Manoj – Gyan
Details
Ivargal Indiyargal1987

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Ivargal indiayargalThese people are Indians
Female :Ivargal indiayargalFemale: These people are Indians
Male :India mannin panpukkum anbukkumMale: For the culture and love of the Indian soil
Ilakkanamaga iruppavarkalThey stand as the defining grammar
Female :Nalla ilakkiyamaga nilappavargalFemale: They endure as timeless fine literature
Both :Ivargal indiayargalBoth: These people are Indians
Male
Than maganaayinum thavarugal purinthaalEven if he is his own son, if he commits wrongdoings
Nan magan alla ena ninaiththaaiThinking that he is no longer a good son
Intha nallavan pillaiyin uyir pariththaarThis virtuous man took his own child's life
Vaaikku rushiyaai oottiya kaiyaalWith the very hand that fed delicious food to his mouth
Vaaikkarisi alli pottuvittaarHe offered the final ritual grain (vaaikkarisi) for the dead
Vaaikku rushiyaai oottiya kaiyaalWith the very hand that fed delicious food to his mouth
Vaaikkarisi alli pottuvittaarHe offered the final ritual grain (vaaikkarisi) for the dead
Female
Paarinil dharmam vazhnthida vendiSo that righteousness may survive in this world
Paasaththai mannil pudhaiththuvittaarHe buried his paternal affection in the earth
Both :Ivargal indiayargalBoth: These people are Indians
Ivargal indiayargalThese people are Indians
Male
Nandri naranthavan nadaipinamendruDeclaring that one who forgets gratitude is a living corpse
Ingoru thanthai vidhi seithaarHere a father laid down a severe decree
Magan irunthum avanukku thithi seithaarThough his son was alive, he performed final rites for him
Female
Vilakkin adiyil iruttirunthaalumEven if there is darkness beneath a lamp
Velichcham kodukkum anaivarukkumIt provides bright light to everyone around
Vilakkin adiyil iruttirunthaalumEven if there is darkness beneath a lamp
Velichcham kodukkum anaivarukkumIt provides bright light to everyone around
Male
Aduththavar kanneer thudaippavar vaazhvumThe lives of those who wipe away others' tears
Adhupol ingae amainthirukkumAre structured in that very selfless manner here
Both :Ivargal indiayargalBoth: These people are Indians
Ivargal indiayargalThese people are Indians
Male
Koottu kudumbaththin paaraththai ellaamTaking on all the burdens of a joint family
Yaettru kondaan intha sumaithaangiThis pillar of support bore the entire load
Antha imai pola kaaththaan thuyil neengiForegoing sleep, he guarded them like an eyelid
Female
Than kai pattri thaali aninthaThe maiden whose hand he took to tie the sacred thread
Nangaiyai kooda thodavillaiHe did not even touch her out of responsibility
Than kai pattri thaali aninthaThe maiden whose hand he took to tie the sacred thread
Nangaiyai kooda thodavillaiHe did not even touch her out of responsibility
Male
Naayagan polae naayagi amainthaalWhen a heroine matches the hero in noble virtues
Bhoomiyil ivarkkor inaiyillaiThere is no equal to them anywhere on earth
Male
Ivargal indiayargalThese people are Indians
Female :Ivargal indiayargalFemale: These people are Indians
Male :India mannin panpukkum anbukkumMale: For the culture and love of the Indian soil
Ilakkanamaga iruppavarkalThey stand as the defining grammar
Female :Nalla ilakkiyamaga nilappavargalFemale: They endure as timeless fine literature
Both :Ivargal indiayargalBoth: These people are Indians
Ivargal indiayargalThese people are Indians

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Ivargal Indiyargal' celebrates the high moral ethos, righteousness, selflessness, and cultural resilience of Indians. Written by Vaali, the lyrics present evocative narratives of individuals who prioritize 'dharma' (righteousness) and duty over personal bonds and desires. It describes fathers who punish ungrateful or corrupt sons for the greater good of society, self-sacrificing guardians who carry family responsibilities like a lamp enduring darkness beneath itself, and virtuous couples who remain unmatched in their ethical discipline.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ilakkanam & Ilakkiyam Metaphor (Linguistic Parallels)

Ilakkanamaga iruppavarkal / Nalla ilakkiyamaga nilappavargal

Vaali metaphorically compares Indian people to 'Ilakkanam' (grammar/rules) and 'Ilakkiyam' (literature/art), establishing them as both the foundation and expression of culture.

Contrast / Antithesis

Vaaikku rushiyaai oottiya kaiyaal / Vaaikkarisi alli pottuvittaar

Striking contrast between 'Vaaikku rushiyaai oottiya kai' (hand feeding delicious food in love) and 'Vaaikkarisi alli pottuvittaar' (hand placing death ritual rice), emphasizing absolute justice over personal affection.

Upamai (Simile)

Antha imai pola kaaththaan thuyil neengi

Compares protecting family members to an eyelid ('imai') guarding the eye while foregoing sleep.

Analogy / Symbolism

Vilakkin adiyil iruttirunthaalum / Velichcham kodukkum anaivarukkum

Uses the classic analogy of a lamp ('Vilakku') which has darkness directly beneath itself yet shines light to brighten everyone else's world.

Did you know?

Trivia

This title song from the 1987 film 'Ivargal Indiyargal' features lyrics by legendary lyricist Vaali. It reflects Vaali's signature usage of classical Tamil literary pairings like 'Ilakkanam' and 'Ilakkiyam' to convey deep socio-cultural principles.

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