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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Karka Kasadara Katravai

From Raja Bakthi · 1960

Lyricist
Thamizh Azhagan
Singer
M. L. Vasanthakumari
Music director
G. Govindarajulu Naidu
Movie name
Raja Bakthi
Movie release year
1960
Lyrics added on
3 Apr 2025

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Karkka kasadara karpavai
Kattra pin nirkka adhu pol
Neeyae en mannaa
Karkka kasadara karpavai
Kattra pin nirkka adhu pol
Neeyae en mannaa
Narrpayan kandu naadida vendum
Narrpayan kandu naadida vendum
Nallortham nesamae kooda vendum
Nallortham nesamae kooda vendum
Nayamudam yaarodum nee pesa vendum
Nayamudam yaarodum nee pesa vendum
Karkka kasadara karpavai
Kattra pin nirkka adhu pol
Neeyae en mannaa
Veeranum aavaai
Veriyanaavadhae
Veeranum aavaai
Veriyanaavadhae
Vendhanum veghuvaaghi
Vegham kedaathae
Vendhanum veghuvaaghi
Vegham kedaathae
Veen perumai pesi veezhndhu vidathae
Veen perumai pesi veezhndhu vidathae
Anaithum kattraalum
Aganthai urathae
Anaithum kattraalum
Aganthai urathae
Aasai kondaalum nee
Aathiram kolladhae
Aasai kondaalum nee
Aathiram kolladhae
Anbae sei aanaal adimai aagadhae
Anbae sei aanaal adimai aagadhae
Karkka kasadara karpavai
Kattra pin nirkka adhu pol
Neeyae en mannaa
Thaai thiru naadae
Vaazhthida vendum
Thaai thiru naadae
Vaazhthida vendum
Than nalam kollorai
Veezhthida vendum
Than nalam kollorai
Veezhthida vendum
Dharmamae ennaalum
Naam kaakka vendum
Dharmamae ennaalum
Naam kaakka vendum
Karkka kasadara karpavai
Kattra pin nirkka adhu pol
Neeyae en mannaa
Learn thoroughly what is worth learning,
and having learned, live by those teachings,
O my king!
Learn thoroughly what is worth learning,
and having learned, live by those teachings,
O my king!
Recognize what brings good results and pursue it,
Recognize what brings good results and pursue it,
Seek only the friendship of good-hearted people,
Seek only the friendship of good-hearted people,
You must speak gently and courteously with everyone,
You must speak gently and courteously with everyone.
Learn thoroughly what is worth learning,
and having learned, live by those teachings,
O my king!
Be a brave warrior,
but never become a fanatic.
Be a brave warrior,
but never become a fanatic.
Even as a mighty king,
do not act in reckless haste.
Even as a mighty king,
do not act in reckless haste.
Do not boast foolishly and cause your own downfall,
Do not boast foolishly and cause your own downfall.
Even if you learn everything there is to know,
do not let arrogance take hold of you.
Even if you learn everything there is to know,
do not let arrogance take hold of you.
Even when you harbor deep desires,
do not give in to blind fury.
Even when you harbor deep desires,
do not give in to blind fury.
Show love freely, but never become a slave to it,
Show love freely, but never become a slave to it.
Learn thoroughly what is worth learning,
and having learned, live by those teachings,
O my king!
May your sacred motherland
shower praise upon you.
May your sacred motherland
shower praise upon you.
Those driven purely by selfish gain,
you must conquer and bring down.
Those driven purely by selfish gain,
you must conquer and bring down.
Righteousness, through all the days,
is what we must always protect.
Righteousness, through all the days,
is what we must always protect.
Learn thoroughly what is worth learning,
and having learned, live by those teachings,
O my king!
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This classic song serves as a profound code of ethics and counsel directed towards a king or leader. Drawing its foundational philosophy from Thiruvalluvar's timeless wisdom, the song emphasizes that true leadership begins with flawless education and the discipline to live by that knowledge. It urges the ruler to surround himself with noble company, speak with humility, and govern with righteousness. Furthermore, the lyricist provides practical moral boundaries: bravery should not turn into fanaticism, power should not lead to arrogance, and affection should never lead to servitude. A true king works to vanquish selfish forces, protect righteousness (Dharma), and earns the genuine blessings of his motherland through duty and humility.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Literary Allusion (Thirukkural Reference)

“Karkka kasadara karpavai”

The song opens with an exact excerpt from Thirukkural (Kural 391: 'Karkka kasadara karpavai kattrapin nirkka adharku thaga').

Monai (Initial Consonant Alliteration)

“Karkka kasadara karpavai”

Repetition of the 'Ka' sound at the start of words ('Karkka', 'Kasadara', 'Karpavai').

Ethukai (Second Letter Assonance/Rhyme)

“Karkka kasadara karpavai / Kattra pin nirkka adhu pol”

Matching of the second consonant sound 'r' ('Kar-kka' and 'Kat-tra').

Anaphora (Repetition for Emphasis)

“Veeranum aavaai / Veriyanaavadhae”

Repetition of initial words starting with 'V' ('Veeranum', 'Veriyanaavadhae', 'Vendhanum', 'Vegham').

Did you know?

Trivia

The opening lines directly borrow from Thirukkural 391, set under the chapter 'Kalvi' (Education). Sung beautifully by the legendary Carnatic maestro M. L. Vasanthakumari in the 1960 movie 'Raja Bakthi', the song showcases how ancient classical Tamil literature was seamlessly integrated into mainstream Tamil cinema to impart moral and political ideals.

Keep listening

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