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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kaatrulla Podhey

From Mahalakshmi · 1960

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singers
L. R. Eswari, Udutha Sarojini
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Mahalakshmi1960

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Oothu neera pola vervaiSweat should gush like spring water
Peruga uzhaikkanumAs we work tirelessly with dedication
Andha uzhaippinalae namadhu veedumThrough that very hard work, our home
Naadum sezhikkanumAnd our nation should flourish and prosper
Oothu neera pola vervaiSweat should gush like spring water
Peruga uzhaikkanumAs we work tirelessly with dedication
Andha uzhaippinalae namadhu veedumThrough that very hard work, our home
Naadum sezhikkanumAnd our nation should flourish and prosper
Female
Naethirunthathu pola innikkuThe world present today is not
Ulagamum illaeThe same as it was yesterday
Naethirunthathu pola innikkuThe world present today is not
Ulagamum illaeThe same as it was yesterday
Naalai nichiyamaai enna nadakkumminnumFor what will definitely happen tomorrow
Theriyallae aadhlaeIs still unknown to anyone, therefore
Female
Nellil kalandha padharu neenga thoothanumYou must winnow to separate the chaff mixed with paddy
Adhu pola ullathilae maasiruntha maathanumSimilarly, you must cleanse and remove impurities from your heart
Nellil kalandha padharu neenga thoothanumYou must winnow to separate the chaff mixed with paddy
Adhu pola ullathilae maasiruntha maathanumSimilarly, you must cleanse and remove impurities from your heart
Female
Nallavanga uravai mattum naadanumWe should seek company only with good people
Nallavanga uravai mattum naadanumWe should seek company only with good people
Theeyor natpirundha adhaiyum vilakki podanumIf there is friendship with evil people, we must cast it away
Female
Sethu vechu kuruvi pola vaazha theriyanumWe should learn to live by saving continuously like a bird
Sethu vechu kuruvi pola vaazha theriyanumWe should learn to live by saving continuously like a bird
Edhirpaarthu varum ezhaikkellamTo all the poor and destitute who come with expectation
Udhavi puriyanumWe must extend a helping hand
Female
Kaadhulla podhey naamWhile the wind is blowing
Thoothi kollanumWe must winnow our grain
Karuthai kaalathukku yettrapadiAccording to the changing times
Maathi kollanumWe must adapt our mindset
Kaadhulla podhey naamWhile the wind is blowing
Thoothi kollanumWe must winnow our grain
Karuthai kaalathukku yettrapadiAccording to the changing times
Maathi kollanumWe must adapt our mindset

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This uplifting folk-style song emphasizes the dignity of hard labor, moral integrity, saving for the future, and adaptability. The lyricist Maruthakasi uses vivid agrarian metaphors to encourage people to work so intensely that sweat flows like spring water, bringing prosperity to both their households and the nation at large. The lyrics urge listeners to purge bad thoughts from their minds just as chaff is winnowed from grain, keep company only with good people, help the needy, save prudently like birds, and strike while the iron is hot. It underscores the impermanence of time, reminding us to constantly evolve and adapt our thoughts as the world changes.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai (Simile)

Oothu neera pola vervai

Compares sweating from hard work to the natural flow of spring water ('Oothu neera pola vervai').

Uvamai (Simile)

Sethu vechu kuruvi pola vaazha theriyanum

Compares prudent saving and modest living to the habits of a bird collecting grains ('kuruvi pola vaazha').

Pazhamozhi (Proverb / Allusion)

Kaadhulla podhey naam / Thoothi kollanum

Refers directly to the popular Tamil proverb 'Kaatru ullapothu thoothikol' ('Winnow while the wind blows' or 'Make hay while the sun shines').

Muran (Antithesis)

Nallavanga uravai mattum naadanum / Theeyor natpirundha adhaiyum vilakki podanum

Contrasts good relationships ('Nallavanga uravai') with bad friendships ('Theeyor natpirundha') to stress moral discernment.

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Trivia

Lyricist A. Maruthakasi was celebrated for weaving traditional Tamil proverbs and simple rural philosophy into catchy film songs. The phrase 'Kaatru ullapothu thoothikol' is repurposed here in everyday spoken dialect as 'Kaadhulla podhey naam thoothi kollanum', making deep moral lessons easily accessible to working-class film audiences.

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