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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kaniyirukku Virundhu

From Edhaiyum Thangum Ithayam · 1962

Lyricist
Pattukkottai Kalyanasundram
Singer
P. Leela
Music director
T. R. Pappa
Details
Edhaiyum Thangum Ithayam1962

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Humming …….Humming...
Female
Kaniyirukku virundhu vaikkaFruit is here to host a feast
Kaadirukku koodukattaForest is here to build a nest
Kalandhu pesa naan irukken vaangaI am here to talk and mingle, come along
Summa kaathirukka neramillai vanthidungaThere is no time to just wait around, come quickly
Female
Humming …….Humming...
Female
Hoi kaniyirukkuHoi, fruit is here
Kaniyirukku virundhu vaikkaFruit is here to host a feast
Kaadirukku koodukattaForest is here to build a nest
Kalandhu pesa naan irukken vaangaI am here to talk and mingle, come along
Summa kaathirukka neramillai vanthidungaThere is no time to just wait around, come quickly
Female
Chinnanjiru sittugalaeLittle tiny sparrows
Singaara paravaigalaeBeautiful birds
Themaangu kuyilgalaeSweetly singing cuckoos
Sivandha mookku kiligalaeRed-beaked parrots
Female
Thaen edukkum vandugalaeHoney-collecting bees
Odi vaangaRun and come
Naan saedhi onnu solla porenI am going to tell you a message
Seekiram vandhidungaCome quickly
Female
Humming …….Humming...
Female
Hoi kaniyirukkuHoi, fruit is here
Kaniyirukku virundhu vaikkaFruit is here to host a feast
Kaadirukku koodukattaForest is here to build a nest
Kalandhu pesa naan irukken vaangaI am here to talk and mingle, come along
Summa kaathirukka neramillai vanthidungaThere is no time to just wait around, come quickly
Female
Ongi valarum moongilmaramThe tall-growing bamboo trees
Onnaionnu pudichirukkuHold onto each other
Olunga kuruthu vittuSprouting neatly
Kelaikelaiyaa vedichirukkuBursting into many branches
Female
Ottamae odhungi ninnaIf one stands completely aside and retreats
Oyara mudiyumaaCan it rise high?
Othumai kalainjudhunnaIf unity is dissolved
Valara mudiyumaaCan one grow?
Edhilum othumai kalainjudhunnaIf unity is broken in anything
Valara mudiyumaaCan one grow?
Female
Humming …….Humming...
Female
Hoi kaniyirukkuHoi, fruit is here
Kaniyirukku virundhu vaikkaFruit is here to host a feast
Kaadirukku koodukattaForest is here to build a nest
Kalandhu pesa naan irukken vaangaI am here to talk and mingle, come along
Summa kaathirukka neramillai vanthidungaThere is no time to just wait around, come quickly

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This cheerful and metaphorical song uses nature—birds, trees, and forests—to convey a deep social message about unity, cooperation, and community. The narrator calls upon various creatures of nature like sparrows, cuckoos, parrots, and bees to gather for a feast and listen to an important message. Through the imagery of bamboo trees holding onto each other to grow strong and tall, lyricist Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram emphasizes that isolated individuals cannot rise or prosper. True growth and strength come only from unity and solidarity among people.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Kaniyirukku virundhu vaikka / Kaadirukku koodukatta / Kalandhu pesa

Repetition of the initial 'Ka' sound across consecutive lines ('Kani', 'Kaad', 'Kalandhu') creates a melodious and rhythmic flow.

Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Chinnanjiru sittugalae / Singaara paravaigalae

Matching second-consonant sounds ('n') in 'Chinnanjiru' and 'Singaara' provides strong phonetic harmony.

Metaphor / Nature Allegory

Ongi valarum moongilmaram / Onnaionnu pudichirukku

Bamboo trees leaning on each other to branch out and grow tall serve as a vivid social metaphor for human unity and collective progress.

Rhetorical Question (Vinah)

Othumai kalainjudhunna / Valara mudiyumaa

Asking 'Valara mudiyumaa?' (Can one grow?) challenges the listener to realize that progress is impossible without unity.

Did you know?

Trivia

Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram, fondly known as 'Makkal Kavignar' (People's Poet), was celebrated for weaving egalitarian and socialist philosophies into simple folk-style songs. The film 'Edhaiyum Thangum Ithayam' (1962) was written by C. N. Annadurai (former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu), making this song a classic example of Dravidian reformist cinema where nature motifs were used to teach community ethics.

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