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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kaatrulla Pothe

From Thayum Magalum · 1965

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, K. J. Jesudas, P. Susheela, L. R. Eswari, Chorus
Music director
P. S. Diwakar
Details
Thayum Magalum1965

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Paruvathai paarthu paiyir seiya venumYou must sow crops considering the right season.
Paadupattathaan aruvadaiyaagumOnly hard work brings a bountiful harvest.
Samayathai maranthaa thirumba varathuIf you forget time, it will never return.
Gavanathil vaiyadiyo hoi hoi…Keep this in mind, my dear, hoi hoi...
Gavanatahil vaiyadiyoiKeep this in mind, my dear!
Female
Thuninthu vital tholvi illaiIf you are daring, there is no defeat.
Thoongivitaal vetrivillaiIf you fall asleep, there is no victory.
Paarvayile thelivirunthaaIf your vision is clear,
Paadhai vegu thooramillai….The destination path is not very far.
Male
Vetri kondaaduven naanum veeranadiI will celebrate victory, for I am a warrior, my dear.
Vetri kondaaduven naanum veeranadiI will celebrate victory, for I am a warrior, my dear.
Vetri kondaaduvenI will celebrate victory.
Male
Singathin kuttiA lion's cub
Siru nariyaai povathillaiWill never turn into a small fox.
Seeraaga valarntha pillaiA child raised with good virtues
Veenaaga poavathillaiWill never go to waste.
Singathin kutti Singathin kuttiA lion's cub, a lion's cub,
Siru nariyaai povathillaiWill never turn into a small fox.
Seeraaga valarntha pillaiA child raised with good virtues
Veenaaga poavathillaiWill never go to waste.
Singathin kutti Aaha Singathin kuttiA lion's cub, aha, a lion's cub!
Female
Saami unndu boomi unnduGod exists, the earth exists,
Sathiyam vellummadiTruth will triumph, my dear.
Dhrammam endrum vaazhumRighteousness will live forever,
Endre dheivam sollummadiAs God Himself declares, my dear.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a motivational track that weaves classic Tamil wisdom and proverbs into encouraging counsel. Kannadasan uses agricultural metaphors like timing the crop-sowing and working hard for a harvest to emphasize that success requires prompt action, perseverance, and clarity of goal. It cautions against laziness while instilling courage. Furthermore, the song highlights character and heritage through the metaphor of a lion's cub never turning into a fox, asserting that a child nurtured with values will never go astray. It concludes with a reaffirmation of faith in divine justice, assuring that truth and righteousness will ultimately prevail over all odds.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Proverbial Allusion (Pazhamozhi)

Paruvathai paarthu paiyir seiya venum

Refers directly to the famous ancient Tamil proverb 'Paruvathai payir sei' (Sow crops at the right season).

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Singathin kutti / Siru nariyaai povathillai

Compares a child raised with strong values to a lion's cub ('Singathin kutti') that will never degrade into a fox ('siru nari').

Monai (Initial Assonance / Alliteration)

Singathin kutti / Siru nariyaai povathillai / Seeraaga valarntha pillai

Repetition of the 'Si/Se' initial sounds in 'Singathin', 'Siru', and 'Seeraaga'.

Antithesis / Contrast

Thuninthu vital tholvi illai / Thoongivitaal vetrivillai

Contrasts daring/courage ('Thuninthu') leading to no defeat against sleeping/sloth ('Thoongivitaal') leading to no victory.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Thayum Magalum' (1965) featured music composed by P. S. Diwakar. Lyricist Kannadasan was well-known for integrating popular folk adages and Tamil proverbs seamlessly into cinema lyrics to impart moral values to the masses.

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