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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
Details
Maappillai 1952 Film1952

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kannum karutha kudumbam nadatha theriyanumOne must know how to run a family with care and utmost attention.
Kannum karutha kudumbam nadatha theriyanumOne must know how to run a family with care and utmost attention.
Pengal kadamaiyai perusa ninaikanumWomen must regard their duties as supreme.
Pengal kadamaiyai perusa ninaikanumWomen must regard their duties as supreme.
Kannum karutha kudumbam nadatha theriyanumOne must know how to run a family with care and utmost attention.
Female
Kaala nilamaiyae therinju vazhanum aa aa aaOne must live with an understanding of the current era's times, ah ah ah...
Indha kaala nilamaiyaeUnderstanding the circumstances of these present times,
Therinju vaazhanum purinji vaazhanumOne must live wisely and with complete understanding.
Kaasu panam vandhaalum veenaeEven if wealth and money come in abundance,
Kandapadi thullaamalthaanaeWithout needlessly leaping about or showing off recklessly,
Kachidamaai kudumbam nadatha theriyanumOne must know how to manage a family impeccably.
Female
Pengal kadamaiyai perusa ninaikanumWomen must regard their duties as supreme.
Kannum karutha kudumbam nadatha theriyanumOne must know how to run a family with care and utmost attention.
Female
Thottu thaali kattiyavan muttaala irundhaalumEven if the husband who tied the sacred thread happens to be a fool,
Kattupattu aaganumae kanniyamaai vaazhanumaeOne must remain dutiful and live with dignity.
Mattu mariyaadhaiyudan thondu seiya venumOne must serve with decorum and respect,
Thondu seiya venumOne must render selfless service,
Kastathilum kanavanodu kalandhu vaazha vendumEven through hardships, one must live united with the husband,
Manam magizhndhu vaazhanumOne must live with a joyful heart.
Female
Thottu thaali kattiyavan muttaala irundhaalumEven if the husband who tied the sacred thread happens to be a fool,
Kattupattu aaganumae kanniyamaai vaazhanumaeOne must remain dutiful and live with dignity.
Female
Aangilam kattraalum adhanaal aayiram vandhaalumEven if one learns English and earns thousands thereby,
Padhavigal aayiram vandhaalumEven if thousands of high titles and positions come along,
Aadambarathaalae veen aadambarathaalaeThrough vain luxury and ostentation,
Ezhaigalai avamadhikaadhaeDo not disrespect or look down upon the poor.
Female
Ennara kattraalumpengalukkuNo matter how much a woman learns,
Pin buthi endraalumEven if society claims women possess hindsight wisdom,
Ennara kattraalumpengalukkuNo matter how much a woman learns,
Pin buthi endraalumEven if society claims women possess hindsight wisdom,
Aadavargal yelanam seidhaalumEven if men mock or ridicule them,
Andha yettu suvadiki idam kodukkamalaeWithout letting that dogmatic bookish prejudice take root,
Naatukku nanmaiyai seidhidavenumOne must perform good deeds for the nation.
Female
Aangilam kattraalum adhanaal aayiram vandhaalumEven if one learns English and earns thousands thereby,
Padhavigal aayiram vandhaalumEven if thousands of high titles and positions come along,
Aadambarathaalae veen aadambarathaalaeThrough vain luxury and ostentation,
Ezhaigalai avamadhikaadhaeDo not disrespect or look down upon the poor.
Female
Bhakthiyaalae dheiva sakthiyaalaeThrough devotion and divine strength,
Seidha paabam ellaam pogumaeAll past sins committed will vanish.
Padhi bhakthiyaalae deiva sakthiyaalaeThrough devotion to the husband and divine power,
Seidha paabam ellaam pogumaeAll past sins committed will vanish.
Padhi thirupadha malaradi anudhinam vanangidaBy daily worshipping the husband's sacred lotus feet,
Padhi bhakthiyaalae deiva sakthiyaalaeThrough devotion to the husband and divine power,
Seidha paabam ellaam pogumaeAll past sins committed will vanish.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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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