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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kadavul Ennum

From Vivasayee · 1967

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Vivasayee1967

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Vivasaayi ..vivasaayiFarmer... farmer
Kadavul ennum mudhalaaliA worker handpicked
Kandedhutha thozhilaaliBy the employer called God
Vivasaayi ..vivasaayiFarmer... farmer
Kadavul ennum mudhalaaliA worker handpicked
Kandedhutha thozhilaaliBy the employer called God
Vivasaayi ..vivasaayiFarmer... farmer
Male
Munnettra paadhaiyilae manasa vaithuFocusing the mind on the path of progress
Muzhu moochaa adarkkaaga dhinam uzhaithuStriving daily with wholehearted effort for it
Munnettra paadhaiyilae manasa vaithuFocusing the mind on the path of progress
Muzhu moochaa adarkkaaga dhinam uzhaithuStriving daily with wholehearted effort for it
Mannilae mutheduthu pirar vaazhaExtracting pearls from the soil so others may live
Mannilae mutheduthu pirar vaazhaExtracting pearls from the soil so others may live
Vazhangum gunam udaiyon vivasaaiThe farmer is the generous soul possessing such nobility
Vivasaayi ..vivasaayiFarmer... farmer
Male
Enna valam illai indha thirunaattilWhat resource is lacking in this sacred nation?
Yen kaiyai yendha vendum velinaattilWhy should we stretch out our hands in plea to foreign lands?
Enna valam illai indha thirunaattilWhat resource is lacking in this sacred nation?
Yen kaiyai yendha vendum velinaattilWhy should we stretch out our hands in plea to foreign lands?
Ozhungaai paadu padu vayal kaattilWork diligently and systematically in the agricultural fields
Ozhungaai paadu padu vayal kaattilWork diligently and systematically in the agricultural fields
Uyarum un madhippu ayal naattilYour esteem will rise even in foreign countries
Vivasaayi ..vivasaayiFarmer... farmer
Male
Karuppendrum sivappendrum vaetrumaiyaaiWithout viewing differences as black or red
Karudhaamal ellorum otrumaiyaaiWithout discrimination, everyone standing united
Karuppendrum sivappendrum vaetrumaiyaaiWithout viewing differences as black or red
Karudhaamal ellorum otrumaiyaaiWithout discrimination, everyone standing united
Poruppulla periyorgal sonnapadiAs advised by responsible elders
Poruppulla periyorgal sonnapadiAs advised by responsible elders
Uzhaithaal perugaadho saagupadiIf we labor with dedication, will not the crop yield multiply?
Vivasaayi ..vivasaayiFarmer... farmer
Male
Irundhidalaam naattil pala vannakkodiThere may exist many colorful flags across the nation
Ethanaiyo katchigalin ennappadiRepresenting the intentions of numerous political parties
Irundhidalaam naattil pala vannakkodiThere may exist many colorful flags across the nation
Ethanaiyo katchigalin ennappadiRepresenting the intentions of numerous political parties
Parakka vendum engum orae chinna kodiOnly one small flag ought to fly everywhere
Parakka vendum engum orae chinna kodiOnly one small flag ought to fly everywhere
Adhu panjam illai ennum annakkodiThat flag of food which signifies the absence of famine
Vivasaayi ..vivasaayiFarmer... farmer
Kadavul ennum mudhalaaliA worker handpicked
Kandedhutha thozhilaaliBy the employer called God
Vivasaayi ..vivasaayiFarmer... farmer

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Vivasaayi' serves as a grand tribute to the agricultural community, elevating the farmer to a divine status as a laborer chosen directly by God to sustain life on Earth. Through inspiring verses, lyricist A. Maruthakasi emphasizes self-respect, national self-reliance, and the dignified nature of manual labor, urging citizens to toil productively in local fields rather than depending on foreign imports.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvam)

Kadavul ennum mudhalaali / Kandedhutha thozhilaali

God is metaphorically characterized as the supreme employer ('mudhalaali') and the farmer as His handpicked laborer ('thozhilaali').

Metaphor (Uruvam)

Mannilae mutheduthu pirar vaazha

Agricultural produce harvested from the soil is poetically compared to precious pearls ('muthu').

Edhugai (Second-letter rhyme)

Munnettra paadhaiyilae manasa vaithu

The second consonant 'n' (nn) rhymes across lines ('Munnettra' / 'Mannilae').

Monai (Initial-letter alliteration)

Karuppendrum sivappendrum vaetrumaiyaai

The starting letters share matching sound patterns ('Karuppendrum' / 'Karudhaamal').

Did you know?

Trivia

This iconic song from the 1967 film 'Vivasayee' features M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) playing an educated agricultural graduate promoting modern farming techniques. The line emphasizing the 'food flag' over party flags reflected MGR's political philosophy of placing hunger eradication above partisan politics.

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