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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kannum Karutha Kudumbam

From Maappillai 1952 Film · 1952

Lyricist
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
Singer
P. Leela
Music directors
N. S. Balakrishnan, T. R. Pappa
Movie name
Maappillai 1952 Film
Movie release year
1952
Lyrics added on
20 Mar 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kannum karutha kudumbam nadatha theriyanum
Kannum karutha kudumbam nadatha theriyanum
Pengal kadamaiyai perusa ninaikanum
Pengal kadamaiyai perusa ninaikanum
Kannum karutha kudumbam nadatha theriyanum
Kaala nilamaiyae therinju vazhanum aa aa aa
Indha kaala nilamaiyae
Therinju vaazhanum purinji vaazhanum
Kaasu panam vandhaalum veenae
Kandapadi thullaamalthaanae
Kachidamaai kudumbam nadatha theriyanum
Pengal kadamaiyai perusa ninaikanum
Kannum karutha kudumbam nadatha theriyanum
Thottu thaali kattiyavan muttaala irundhaalum
Kattupattu aaganumae kanniyamaai vaazhanumae
Mattu mariyaadhaiyudan thondu seiya venum
Thondu seiya venum
Kastathilum kanavanodu kalandhu vaazha vendum
Manam magizhndhu vaazhanum
Thottu thaali kattiyavan muttaala irundhaalum
Kattupattu aaganumae kanniyamaai vaazhanumae
Aangilam kattraalum adhanaal aayiram vandhaalum
Padhavigal aayiram vandhaalum
Aadambarathaalae veen aadambarathaalae
Ezhaigalai avamadhikaadhae
Ennara kattraalumpengalukku
Pin buthi endraalum
Ennara kattraalumpengalukku
Pin buthi endraalum
Aadavargal yelanam seidhaalum
Andha yettu suvadiki idam kodukkamalae
Naatukku nanmaiyai seidhidavenum
Aangilam kattraalum adhanaal aayiram vandhaalum
Padhavigal aayiram vandhaalum
Aadambarathaalae veen aadambarathaalae
Ezhaigalai avamadhikaadhae
Bhakthiyaalae dheiva sakthiyaalae
Seidha paabam ellaam pogumae
Padhi bhakthiyaalae deiva sakthiyaalae
Seidha paabam ellaam pogumae
Padhi thirupadha malaradi anudhinam vanangida
Padhi bhakthiyaalae deiva sakthiyaalae
Seidha paabam ellaam pogumae
One must know how to run a home with care and devotion,
one must know how to run a home with care and devotion.
Women should hold their duties in high regard,
women should hold their duties in high regard.
One must know how to run a home with care and devotion.
You must live understanding the ways of the times, ah...
The state of these modern times,
you must live knowing it and understanding it well.
Even if money and wealth come pouring in,
without letting pride make you lose control,
you must know how to manage a home neatly and well.
Women should hold their duties in high regard.
One must know how to run a home with care and devotion.
Even if the man who tied the thaali (sacred wedding knot) is a fool,
one must adjust to him and live with dignity.
You must serve him with respect and modesty,
yes, serve him with respect.
Even through hardship, you must live in harmony with your husband,
and live with a joyful heart.
Even if the man who tied the thaali (sacred wedding knot) is a fool,
one must adjust to him and live with dignity.
Even if you learn English and earn thousands from it,
even if thousands of high positions come your way,
out of vanity, out of sheer arrogance,
never look down on the poor.
Whatever women may study,
even if people claim women have afterthought wisdom,
whatever women may study,
even if people claim women have afterthought wisdom,
even if men mock and ridicule you,
without letting those old proverbs prove true,
you must do good for the nation!
Even if you learn English and earn thousands from it,
even if thousands of high positions come your way,
out of vanity, out of sheer arrogance,
never look down on the poor.
Through devotion and divine grace,
all the sins of the past will vanish.
Through devotion to your husband and divine grace,
all the sins of the past will vanish.
When you bow daily at the holy, flower-like feet of your husband,
through devotion to your husband and divine grace,
all the sins of the past will vanish.
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song from the 1952 film 'Maappillai' serves as an instructional advice piece directed towards women regarding family life, moral duties, and societal contributions. It emphasizes managing household responsibilities with care, prudence, and modesty regardless of financial prosperity or social standing.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Moonaai (Head Alliteration)

Kannum karutha kudumbam nadatha theriyanum

Repetition of the initial letter 'Ka' in 'Kannum' and 'karutha' establishes a rhythmic flow at the beginning of the line.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Padhi thirupadha malaradi anudhinam vanangida

'Thirupadha malaradi' compares the husband's feet to sacred lotus flowers, expressing traditional devotion.

Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Thottu thaali kattiyavan muttaala irundhaalum / Kattupattu aaganumae kanniyamaai vaazhanumae

Matching second consonants ('tt') across lines ('Thottu' and 'Kattupattu') creates melodic harmony.

Did you know?

Trivia

Released in 1952, 'Maappillai' featured music composed by the duo N. S. Balakrishnan and T. R. Pappa. Lyrics written by Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass reflected traditional moral ideals popular in early post-independence Tamil cinema.

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