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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kadai Thengaiyo

From Sattam En Kaiyil · 1978

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, Chorus
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Sattam En Kaiyil1978

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kada thaengaayo vazhi pullaiyaaroIs it a coconut bought from a shop or a roadside Ganesha idol?
Male
Kada thaengaayo vazhi pullaiyaaroIs it a coconut bought from a shop or a roadside Ganesha idol?
Karmam tholaiyattum kaiyila eduLet sins and bad karma disappear, take action into your hands!
Dharmam thazhaikkattum alliyae koduLet righteousness flourish, give generously with both hands!
Male
Kada thaengaayo vazhi pullaiyaaroIs it a coconut bought from a shop or a roadside Ganesha idol?
Male
Aadikki pinnae thaanaeOnly after the month of Aadi comes,
Aavani sittu indhaa dhaavani kattuHey sparrow of Aavani, come wear this half-saree!
Yaarukkum sondham thaanaeIs it not common property belonging to everyone?
Aandavan sothuIt is the property of God!
Male
Pallikku pora pulla puthaga kattuChild going to school with a bundle of books,
Idhu buthikku vithuThis education is the seed for your intellect.
Nee baaradham kaakka venumYou must protect the nation of Bharat,
Pattatha petruAfter earning your degree!
Male
Kada thaengaayo vazhi pullaiyaaroIs it a coconut bought from a shop or a roadside Ganesha idol?
Karmam tholaiyattum kaiyila eduLet sins and bad karma disappear, take action into your hands!
Dharmam thazhaikkattum alliyae koduLet righteousness flourish, give generously with both hands!
Male
Kada thaengaayo vazhi pullaiyaaroIs it a coconut bought from a shop or a roadside Ganesha idol?
Male
Nalla nalla thalaivargalMany truly noble leaders,
Naattil pirandhaarWere born in this country,
Ezhai veettil pirandhaarBorn in humble poor homes!
Naattinai kaakkaIn order to protect the nation,
Sirai koottil irundhaarThey spent their lives inside prison cells.
Male
Kallukkul naarurikkumThere were leaders capable of squeezing fiber out of stone,
Aalum irundhaarSuch extraordinary men also lived,
Avar vaazhvum adaindhaarAnd completed their honorable life journey.
Kaamathil vellatthilaeThose who drowned in the floods of lust and desire,
Odi maraindhaarRan away and disappeared into oblivion.
Male
Adhu oor kedukkumThat spoils the society,
Pervazhikkuk kidaikaadhuSuch bad characters will never achieve true greatness.
Thathuvathil endrum illai thagaraaru…There is never any conflict in pure philosophy...
Male
Kada thaengaayo vazhi pullaiyaaroIs it a coconut bought from a shop or a roadside Ganesha idol?
Karmam tholaiyattum kaiyila eduLet sins and bad karma disappear, take action into your hands!
Dharmam thazhaikkattum alliyae koduLet righteousness flourish, give generously with both hands!
Male
Kada thaengaayo vazhi pullaiyaaroIs it a coconut bought from a shop or a roadside Ganesha idol?
Chorus
Aehaehae enga rathnamHey! Our precious gem,
Thanga rathnamOur golden gem!
Indru pola endrum vaazhgaMay you live long forever, just as grandly as today!
Enga rathnam thanga rathnamOur gem, our golden gem,
Indru pola endrum vaazhgaMay you live long forever, just as grandly as today!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from 'Sattam En Kaiyil' (1978) is a socio-philosophical track that blends playful metaphors with deep life moral principles. Written by Kannadasan, it encourages people to overcome bad karma, perform generous acts of charity, and respect common social wealth. It underscores the vital role of education for young children in building a strong future for the nation. The lyrics pay tribute to great political leaders born in poor families who sacrificed their freedom in prison for the country. It contrasts selfless leaders with those who ruin their lives chasing worldly lust, warning that dishonorable conduct leads to ruin. Ultimately, it celebrates moral living and wishes eternal prosperity to a benevolent figure.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Karmam tholaiyattum kaiyila edu / Dharmam thazhaikkattum alliyae kodu

Matching second consonants across lines ('rm' sound in Karmam and Dharmam).

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Pallikku pora pulla puthaga kattu / Idhu buthikku vithu

Comparing books/education to seeds that grow intellect ('buthikku vithu') and a young girl to a sparrow ('Aavani sittu').

Idiom (Thodar / Marabuthodar)

Kallukkul naarurikkum Aalum irundhaar

'Kallukkul naarurikkum' is a Tamil idiom referring to achieving impossibly difficult feats.

Alliteration (Moonaai)

Kada thaengaayo vazhi pullaiyaaro

Repetition of initial consonants 'k' across words in the line.

Did you know?

Trivia

Sattam En Kaiyil (1978) is an action-thriller starring Kamal Haasan in double roles, directed by T. N. Baalu. Although listed as unknown in some song tags, the film's soundtrack was composed by Ilaiyaraaja, with this specific philosophical track sung by Malaysia Vasudevan.

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