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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Iyarkai Annai

From Enga Veettu Penn · 1965

Lyricist
Aalangudi Somu
Singer
Seerkazhi Govindarajan
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Movie name
Enga Veettu Penn
Movie release year
1965
Lyrics added on
5 Dec 2023

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Hooo ooo oo oo
Iyarkkai annai thandhadhellam
Ellorkkum sondhamada
Iyarkkai annai thandhadhellam
Ellorkkum sondhamada
Enadhu unadhu enbadhellaam
Idaiyil maarum bandhamada
Idaiyil maarum bandhamada
Iyarkkai annai thandhadhellam
Ellorkkum sondhamada
Vaan mazhai neerum mannin gunathaal
Maattram adaiavdhundu
Vaan mazhai neerum mannin gunathaal
Maattram adaiavdhundu
Vanjagar uravaal nalla manidharum
Theeyavar aavadhundu
Unakku munnae pirandha nilam
Oorukkellaam kodutha nilam
Unakku munnae pirandha nilam
Oorukkellaam kodutha nilam
Unakku pinnum irukkumada
Urimai endraal sirikkumada
Iyarkkai annai thandhadhellam
Ellorkkum sondhamada
Iravum pagalum inbamum thunbamum
Iyarkkai vaguthathada
Iravum pagalum inbamum thunbamum
Iyarkkai vaguthathada
Indha irandukkum idaiyil amaidhi kaanbavan
Idhayam sirandhadhada
Naan endra aganthaiyinaale
Nammai kanda manidhar illai
Naan endra aganthaiyinaale
Nammai kanda manidhar illai
Naam endra ottrumai vandhaal
Naatinilae thuyarmillai
Iyarkkai annai thandhadhellam
Ellorkkum sondhamada
Enadhu unadhu enbadhellaam
Idaiyil maarum bandhamada
Idaiyil maarum bandhamada
Iyarkkai annai thandhadhellam
Ellorkkum sondhamada
Ho-o-o-o-o
Everything Mother Nature has given
belongs to everyone, my friend!
Everything Mother Nature has given
belongs to everyone, my friend!
Saying "mine" and "yours"
is just a passing bond that changes over time!
It is just a passing bond that changes over time...
Everything Mother Nature has given
belongs to everyone, my friend!
Even rainwater falling from the sky
changes with the nature of the soil it touches.
Even rainwater falling from the sky
changes with the nature of the soil it touches.
In the company of deceitful people,
even good people can turn bad.
This land was born before you;
it has provided for all the people.
This land was born before you;
it has provided for all the people.
It will still be here after you are gone,
and it will laugh if you claim ownership!
Everything Mother Nature has given
belongs to everyone, my friend!
Night and day, joy and sorrow—
Nature has ordained them all!
Night and day, joy and sorrow—
Nature has ordained them all!
The one who finds peace between the two
possesses the finest heart!
From the arrogance of thinking "I",
no human has ever found anything good.
From the arrogance of thinking "I",
no human has ever found anything good.
If the unity of "We" takes hold,
there will be no sorrow in this land!
Everything Mother Nature has given
belongs to everyone, my friend!
Saying "mine" and "yours"
is just a passing bond that changes over time!
It is just a passing bond that changes over time...
Everything Mother Nature has given
belongs to everyone, my friend!
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This philosophical song from 'Enga Veettu Penn' (1965), composed by K. V. Mahadevan and rendered powerfully by Seerkazhi Govindarajan, imparts timeless egalitarian wisdom written by Aalangudi Somu. The lyrics emphasize that all natural resources belong equally to everyone, and human notions of individual ownership ('mine' and 'yours') are temporary illusions. Through vivid analogies, the song explains how pure rainwater assumes the characteristics of the soil it hits, just as good individuals get corrupted by wicked association. Furthermore, it reminds us that the Earth predates humanity and will outlast us all, making claims of land ownership absurd. The song concludes by advocating equanimity in the face of life's dualities and calling for collective unity ('we') over individual vanity ('I') to eliminate suffering from society.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uruvagamm (Personification / Metaphor)

“Iyarkkai annai thandhadhellam”

Nature is personified as a benevolent universal mother ('Iyarkkai annai') who provides equally to all.

Muran (Antithesis / Contrast)

“Iravum pagalum inbamum thunbamum”

Contrasting pairs are used to show natural dualities ordained by nature: 'Iravum pagalum' (Night and Day) and 'inbamum thunbamum' (Pleasure and Pain).

Etukai (Second letter rhyming)

“Naan endra aganthaiyinaale / Naam endra ottrumai vandhaal”

The second consonant 'na' matches across lines: 'Naan' in line 31 and 'Naam' in line 35, highlighting the shift from singular ego to collective unity.

Analogy / Utamai

“Vaan mazhai neerum mannin gunathaal Maattram adaiavdhundu”

Compares rainwater absorbing soil qualities to good human beings absorbing the traits of bad company.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by famous lyricist Aalangudi Somu, this song remains one of Tamil cinema's hallmark philosophical solos performed by the legendary classical singer Seerkazhi Govindarajan. Its moral messaging about land ownership and social equality mirrored the socio-political rhetoric popular in Tamil Nadu during the 1960s.

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