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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kalaimagal Song Lyircs

From Vasantha Maligai · 1972

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Vasantha Maligai1972

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Aaaa….aaa…aaaa….aaa…Aaaa....aaa...aaaa....aaa...
Aaaa…aaa….aaa…aaa….aaa…Aaaa...aaa....aaa...aaa....aaa...
Female
Kalaimagal kai porulaeO treasure in the hands of Goddess Saraswati,
Unnai gavanikka aal illaiyoIs there no one to take care of you?
Vilai illaa maaligaiyilIn this priceless palace,
Unnai meettavum viral illaiyo..ooAre there no fingers to strum you?
Female
Kalaimagal kai porulaeO treasure in the hands of Goddess Saraswati,
Unnai gavanikka aal illaiyoIs there no one to take care of you?
Female
Unnidam aayiram raagangalaeWithin you lie a thousand ragas,
Endrum unakkul aayiram geethangalaeForever inside you are a thousand songs.
Unnidam aayiram raagangalaeWithin you lie a thousand ragas,
Endrum unakkul aayiram geethangalaeForever inside you are a thousand songs.
Female
Isai arinthoorgal meetungalenOh connoisseurs of music, please strum this,
Isai arinthoorgal meetungalenOh connoisseurs of music, please strum this,
Illai yenakkenum vazhi kaatungalenOtherwise, at least guide the way for me.
Female
Kalaimagal kai porulaeO treasure in the hands of Goddess Saraswati,
Unnai gavanikka aal illaiyoIs there no one to take care of you?
Female
Naan yaar unnai meettaWho am I to play you,
Varum nanmaikkum theemaikkumTo guide the way for,
Vazhi kaattaThe coming good and evil?
Naan yaar unnai meettaWho am I to play you,
Varum nanmaikkum theemaikkumTo guide the way for,
Vazhi kaattaThe coming good and evil?
Female
Yeno thudikkindrenWhy does my heart throb so?
Yeno thudikkindrenWhy does my heart throb so?
Athan inam theriyamal thavikkindrenWithout knowing its nature, I suffer in anguish.
Vilai illaa maaligaiyilIn this priceless palace,
Unnai meettavum viral illaiyoAre there no fingers to strum you?
Female
Kalaimagal kai porulaeO treasure in the hands of Goddess Saraswati,
Unnai gavanikka aal illaiyoIs there no one to take care of you?
Female
Sorgamum naragamum nam vasamaeHeaven and hell are within our control,
Naan solvadhai un manam ketkattumaeLet your heart listen to what I say.
Sorgamum naragamum nam vasamaeHeaven and hell are within our control,
Naan solvadhai un manam ketkattumaeLet your heart listen to what I say.
Female
Sathiyam dharmangal nilaikkattumaeLet truth and righteousness endure,
Sathiyam dharmangal nilaikkattumaeLet truth and righteousness endure,
Idhu thaaymayin kuralai olikkattumaeLet this resound as the voice of motherhood.
Female
Kalaimagal kai porulaeO treasure in the hands of Goddess Saraswati,
Unnai gavanikka aal illaiyoIs there no one to take care of you?
Vilai illaa maaligaiyilIn this priceless palace,
Unnai meettavum viral illaiyo..ooAre there no fingers to strum you?
Kalaimagal kai porulaeO treasure in the hands of Goddess Saraswati.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Kalaimagal Kai Porulae' addresses a Veena—the divine musical instrument of Goddess Saraswati—left unattended in a grand palace. The narrator reflects on how an instrument containing endless ragas and melodies remains neglected without an artist to play it, drawing a deeper metaphor for human life, talent, and morality left unguided in opulent isolation. As the song progresses, the singer calls upon wise individuals to lead the way and establish truth and righteousness (dharma). The lyrics touch upon moral choices, maternal warmth, and the duality of heaven and hell residing in human choices, ultimately expressing a maternal desire to see goodness, truth, and virtue resound through the halls of life.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Kalaimagal kai porulae

Compares the human soul or the instrument directly to 'Kalaimagal kai porul' (the treasure in Goddess Saraswati's hand).

Rhetorical Question

Unnai gavanikka aal illaiyo

The speaker asks 'Unnai gavanikka aal illaiyo' (Is there no one to care for you?) to highlight neglect and isolation.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Unnidam aayiram raagangalae / Endrum unakkul aayiram geethangalae

Rhyming ends 'raagangalae' and 'geethangalae' creating melodic symmetry.

Antithesis / Contradiction

Sorgamum naragamum nam vasamae

Juxtaposes contrasting concepts like 'good and evil' (nanmai / theemai) and 'heaven and hell' (sorgam / naragam).

Did you know?

Trivia

This song from 'Vasantha Maligai' (1972) features music composed by K. V. Mahadevan, rendered by legendary playback singer P. Susheela with lyrics penned by Kannadasan. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan and Vanisri in iconic lead roles.

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