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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kaanakathai Thedi Indru

From Kodimalar · 1966

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
Sirkazhi Govindarajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Kodimalar1966

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kaanagathai thaedi indru pogiraalShe leaves today in search of the forest,
Kaanagathai thaedi indru pogiraalShe leaves today in search of the forest,
Suvai kallirukkum malar koondhal janakiJanaki, whose flower-adorned hair holds sweet nectar.
Maanidathai thaedi sendru indru pogiraalShe goes today searching for humanity,
Than manavaalan kattalaiyaal janakiBy the command of her husband, Janaki.
Maaninathai thaedi sendru indru pogiraalShe goes today searching for self-respect,
Than manavaalan kattalaiyaal janakiBy the command of her husband, Janaki.
Male
Kaanagathai thaedi indru pogiraalShe leaves today in search of the forest,
Suvai kallirukkum malar koondhal janakiJanaki, whose flower-adorned hair holds sweet nectar.
Male
{Thaedi vandha maalaigaiyil aadharavillaiIn the palace she sought, there is no support,
Aval thaer sellum paadhaiyil dheivamum illaiOn the path her chariot travels, there is no God either,
Dheivamum illai} (2)No God either.
Paavai aval vazhakkil oru saatchiyum illaiIn the trial of this maiden, there are no witnesses,
Than paavamalla endru solla vaarthaiyum illaiShe has no words to defend herself that it was not her fault,
Vaarthaiyum illaiNo words at all.
Male
Kaanagathai thaedi indru pogiraalShe leaves today in search of the forest,
Suvai kallirukkum malar koondhal janakiJanaki, whose flower-adorned hair holds sweet nectar.
Male
{Oomai kanda kanavai aval yaaridam solvaalTo whom can she express a dream seen by a mute person?
Indru oor sollum vaarthaiyil vaeridam selvaalDriven by the gossip of the town, she departs elsewhere,
Vaeridam selvaal} (2)Departs elsewhere.
Naayaganin nenjil aval aasaigal vaithaalShe placed all her desires in her beloved husband's heart,
Andha naayaganoo thaayagathai poojaigal seidhaanBut that hero prioritized duty towards his motherland,
Poojaigal seidhaanPrioritized duty.
Male
Kaanagathai thaedi indru pogiraalShe leaves today in search of the forest,
Suvai kallirukkum malar koondhal janakiJanaki, whose flower-adorned hair holds sweet nectar.
Male
{Seethai konda raamanukkae sanjalam endraalIf even Lord Rama, Sita's husband, suffered emotional conflict,
Indha deviyin raamanukku nimmadhi engaeWhere is peace of mind for the Rama of this divine woman?
Nimmadhi engae} (2)Where is peace?
Kaala magal jaanakikku aarudhal sonnaalIf Goddess Time offered solace to Sita,
En kanmanikku avalae thaan aarudhaal solvaalShe alone will offer comfort to my precious beloved,
Aarudhaal solvaalWill offer comfort.
Male
Kaanagathai thaedi indru pogiraalShe leaves today in search of the forest,
Suvai kallirukkum malar koondhal janakiJanaki, whose flower-adorned hair holds sweet nectar.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant song draws a direct parallel between the plight of the protagonist's beloved and the mythical banishment of Goddess Sita (Janaki) to the forest in the Ramayana. The lyrics paint a tragic picture of a virtuous woman unjustly exiled and abandoned despite her innocence, forced to bear societal gossip and isolation due to her husband's duty-bound choices.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai / Uruvagam)

Oomai kanda kanavai aval yaaridam solvaal

Compares the protagonist's unspoken distress to a dream seen by a mute person (Oomai kanda kanavu), illustrating complete helplessness in communication.

Allusion (Purana Santharbam)

Than manavaalan kattalaiyaal janaki

Alludes to the epic Ramayana where Sita (Janaki) is exiled to the forest by Rama, linking epic grief to the modern narrative.

Emoni / Monai (Initial Rhyme)

Paavai aval vazhakkil oru saatchiyum illai / Than paavamalla endru solla vaarthaiyum illai

Repetition of starting sounds like 'Paavai' and 'Paavamalla' creating a musical rhythm.

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Trivia

Written by the legendary poet Kannadasan, this song uses epic allegories from Ramayana to depict tragic female exile, a recurring thematic motif in classical Tamil cinema.

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