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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kalviyai Poloru Selvam

From Tamizhariyum Perumal · 1942

Lyricist
Udumalai Narayanakavi
Singer
V. A. Chellappa
Music director
B. R. Rejin
Movie name
Tamizhariyum Perumal
Movie release year
1942
Lyrics added on
17 May 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kalviyai poloru
Selvam uladho
Kaana vaenum puviyorae
Odhum kalviyai poloru
Selvam uladho
Kaana vaenum puviyorae…ae…ae…
Kalviyai poloru
Selvam uladho
Kaana vaenum puviyorae
Vellathaalum kanal veezhinum
Kulaiyaa…aa…aa…aa…aa…
Aa…aa…aa…aa…
Vellathaalum kanal veezhinum kulaiyaa
Vaendhar kalvarum thaan
Kolla mudiyaa
Vellathaalum kanal veezhinum kulaiyaa
Vaendhar kalvarum thaan
Kolla mudiyaa alli koduppinum
Ennaalum kuraiyaa
Arivir kunavumaam yaadhinum azhiyaa
Arivir kunavumaam yaadhinum azhiyaa
Kalviyai poloru
Selvam uladho
Kaana vaenum puviyorae
Kalai gnaanamae illaar
Kaanilvaazh maram
Paa manam
Niraiyaadhenavae inbamarul
Kalai gnaanamae illaar
Kaanilvaazh maram
Pangaeruga nattrungaadhani yarul
Sangeedha saambradhaayarasa
Kalai gnaanamae illaar
Kaanilvaazh maram
Barani mudhalaai thoodhu
Kaadhaludan andhamaani
Thuruvaayiramanimaalai
Puraana kuravar vanji
Kalambaghamum endru
Vandhu panpaadum prabala
Kalai gnaanamae illaar
Kaanilvaazh maram
Kadaiyar sreemadhi leela paamaram
Alagaiyodu mirugam aaguvaar
Siriyaar…aa…aa…aa…aa…
Alagaiyodu mirugam aaguvaar
Siriyaar
Andhagar edharkkum aagaar maelaam
Andhagar edharkkum aagaar maelaam
Kalviyai poloru
Selvam uladho
Kaana vaenum puviyorae ..ae…ae…
Kalviyai poloru
Selvam uladho
Kaana vaenum puviyorae …ae…
Is there any wealth
equal to education?
People of the world, understand this!
Like the noble learning we study,
is there any true wealth?
People of the world, realize this!
Is there any wealth
equal to education?
People of the world, understand this!
Even in rising floods or falling fire,
it will never be destroyed...
Ah...
It will not perish in floods or falling fire;
neither rulers nor thieves
can ever take it away.
It will not perish in floods or falling fire;
neither rulers nor thieves
can take it away, and even if given generously,
it will never lessen on any day.
It nourishes the mind and never decays.
It nourishes the mind and never decays.
Is there any wealth
equal to education?
People of the world, realize this!
Those without the wisdom of the arts
are like wild trees in a jungle.
A mind enriched with poetry
brings boundless and sweet joy;
Those without the wisdom of the arts
are like wild trees in a jungle.
By the supreme grace of the lotus-born goddess of learning,
immersed in the deep beauty of musical traditions,
Those without the wisdom of the arts
are like wild trees in a jungle.
Classic Tamil poetic forms like Parani and Thoothu (message poems),
lovingly crafted Anthathi verses,
garlands of gem-like poetry,
ancient lore, Kuravanji dance-dramas,
and rich Kalambakam poems,
sung in celebrated musical praise...
Those without the wisdom of the arts
are like wild trees in a jungle.
The ignorant and uncultured who lack this taste,
turn into beasts despite their good looks,
such petty souls...
They turn into beasts despite their good looks,
those petty-minded people;
like the blind, they are unfit for anything noble,
like the blind, they are unfit for anything noble.
Is there any wealth
equal to education?
People of the world, realize this!
Is there any wealth
equal to education?
People of the world, realize this!
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song highlights the supreme value of education and wisdom over material wealth. It emphasizes that education is a unique asset because it cannot be destroyed by natural disasters like floods or fire, nor can it be stolen by rulers or thieves. Furthermore, unlike material riches, sharing knowledge only increases it rather than depleting it. The lyrics metaphorically describe uneducated individuals as mere trees standing in a forest or beasts lacking moral grace, urging humanity to pursue arts, literature, music, and spiritual learning to achieve true joy and enlightenment.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

“Vellathaalum kanal veezhinum / Vaendhar kalvarum thaan / Kolla mudiyaa”

The repetition of the second letter 'l' in 'Vellathaalum' and 'Kolla' creates a rhythmic harmony across lines.

Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)

“Kalai gnaanamae illaar / Kaanilvaazh maram”

Comparing uneducated human beings directly to trees in a forest ('Kaanilvaazh maram') and beasts ('mirugam').

Anaphora

“Kalviyai poloru / Selvam uladho”

Repetition of the refrain 'Kalviyai poloru selvam uladho' at key transitions to reinforce the core message of the poem.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Tamizhariyum Perumal' (1942) was a classic Tamil mythological film featuring TR Mahalingam. The lyrics written by Udumalai Narayanakavi draw inspiration from ancient Tamil literature like Tirukkural and Naladiyar, which glorify knowledge ('Kalvi') and literary genres such as Bharani, Thoodhu, Kuravanji, and Kalambakam.

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