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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kashmir Beautiful

From Idhaya Veenai · 1972

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Idhaya Veenai1972

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
Hoo oooo ooo oooHoo oooo ooo ooo
Chorus
Hoo oooo ooo oooHoo oooo ooo ooo
Chorus
Hoo oooo ooo oooHoo oooo ooo ooo
Male
Vanakkam vandhanam namasthae namoskaarGreetings in Tamil, Hindi, Sanskrit, and Bengali!
Male
Kashmir beautyful kashmirKashmir, beautiful Kashmir!
Kashmir wonderful kashmirKashmir, wonderful Kashmir!
Male
Kashmir beautyful kashmirKashmir, beautiful Kashmir!
Kashmir wonderful kashmirKashmir, wonderful Kashmir!
Odugindra maegam vandhu unai thottu paesumThe drifting clouds come and touch you to speak.
Odai neeril maedai pottu vaadai kaatru veesumThe northern wind blows, setting a stage on the stream water.
Odugindra maegam vandhu unai thottu paesumThe drifting clouds come and touch you to speak.
Odai neeril maedai pottu vaadai kaatru veesumThe northern wind blows, setting a stage on the stream water.
Ennenna vannangal poovil undendruTell me what colors exist in these flowers!
Sollungal kaanungal sorgam idhuvendruLook and say that this is indeed heaven!
Male
Kashmir beautyful kashmirKashmir, beautiful Kashmir!
Kashmir wonderful kashmirKashmir, wonderful Kashmir!
Male
Rendi banni jeyaatthi aashon…Greetings and welcome, come along...
Male
Its a paradise on earthIt is a paradise on earth,
So a visit is worthSo a visit is worth it!
Male
Come on enjoy summer seasonCome on, enjoy the summer season,
Charming flowers hanging gardenCharming flowers, hanging garden!
Ellorkkum vazhi kaatta naanirukkiraenI am here to guide everyone.
Vandhaarai varavaerkka kaathirukkiraenI am waiting to welcome those who arrive.
Ellorkkum vazhi kaatta naanirukkiraenI am here to guide everyone.
Vandhaarai varavaerkka kaathirukkiraenI am waiting to welcome those who arrive.
Female
Aamaa…Yes...
Neenga edhuvaraikkum padichirukkeengaHow far have you studied?
Male
Sathiyam thaan naan paditha puthagamammaaTruth is the only book I have studied, dear lady.
Samathuvam thaan naan arindha thathuvamammaaEquality is the only philosophy I have known, dear lady.
Sathiyam thaan naan paditha puthagamammaaTruth is the only book I have studied, dear lady.
Samathuvam thaan naan arindha thathuvamammaaEquality is the only philosophy I have known, dear lady.
Male
Kashmir beautyful kashmirKashmir, beautiful Kashmir!
Kashmir wonderful kashmirKashmir, wonderful Kashmir!
Chorus
Laallalaa laallalaa lallallallal laa…Vocalizing (Laallalaa laallalaa...)
Laallalaa laallalaa laalaala lalla laa…Vocalizing (Laallalaa laallalaa...)
Laallalaa laallalaa lallallallal laa…Vocalizing (Laallalaa laallalaa...)
Laallalaa laallalaa lallallallal laa…Vocalizing (Laallalaa laallalaa...)
Laalla lalalala laalla lalalalaVocalizing (Laalla lalalala...)
Laalla lalalala lallallal laa…Vocalizing (Laalla lalalala...)
Male
Aadaigal koodaigal kambalamClothes, baskets, carpets,
Aayiram kaanalaam ivvidamThousands of such things can be seen here!
Kai thozhil vaelai seiyum ezhaiFor the poor doing handicraft work,
Kanneerai maattrugindra naalaiThe day that changes their tears,
Naamellaam sindhithaal naadellaam munnaerumIf we all think together, the whole nation will progress!
Mannellaam ponnaagum porkkaalam undaagumAll soil will turn into gold, and a golden era will be born!
Male
Kashmir beautyful kashmirKashmir, beautiful Kashmir!
Kashmir wonderful kashmirKashmir, wonderful Kashmir!
Chorus
Haa haa hahhahaa…Vocalizing (Haa haa hahhahaa...)
Haa haa hahhahaa…Vocalizing (Haa haa hahhahaa...)
Haa haa hahhahaa…Vocalizing (Haa haa hahhahaa...)
Haa haa hahhahaa…Vocalizing (Haa haa hahhahaa...)
Male
Veda vedavendru kulirum podhuWhen it freezes terribly cold,
Kadha kadhappaaga iruppadharkku ingaeTo stay warm and cozy here,
Vaazhum manidhar yaavarum vayittrilAll the people who live here,
Katti vaithiruppar oru kanappuTie a portable firepot (Kangri) near their waist.
Male
Vaadaikku bayandhaaroAre they afraid of the cold wind,
Illai vaazhvukku bayandhaaroOr are they afraid of life?
Vaadaikku bayandhaaroAre they afraid of the cold wind,
Illai vaazhvukku bayandhaaroOr are they afraid of life?
Madiyinil neruppai katti kolvaar ennumHolding fire in one's lap -
Pazhamozhi ivar thaan padaithaaroDid these people invent that proverb?
Male
Kashmir beautyful kashmirKashmir, beautiful Kashmir!
Kashmir wonderful kashmirKashmir, wonderful Kashmir!
Male
En thaai thiru naattukku vaasalidhuThis is the doorway to my revered motherland.
Ennaattavarkkum kalai koyilidhuThis is the temple of arts for the people of my land.
En thaai thiru naattukku vaasalidhuThis is the doorway to my revered motherland.
Ennaattavarkkum kalai koyilidhuThis is the temple of arts for the people of my land.
Annaavin paer sollum kaanjiyai polJust as Kanchipuram speaks the fame of Anna,
Naeruvin pughazh sollum boomiyidhuThis is the land that speaks the glory of Nehru!
Annaavin paer sollum kaanjiyai polJust as Kanchipuram speaks the fame of Anna,
Naeruvin pughazh sollum boomiyidhuThis is the land that speaks the glory of Nehru!
Male
Yaarum vandhu sondham kolla koodumoCan anyone come and claim ownership over it?
Veeram maanam nammai vittu pogumoWill our bravery and honor ever leave us?
Ellaikku kaaval nirkkum veerargalThe soldiers standing guard at the border,
Annaikku thondu seiyum pillaigalAre the children serving Mother India!
Male
Kashmir beautyful kashmirKashmir, beautiful Kashmir!
Kashmir wonderful kashmirKashmir, wonderful Kashmir!
Male
Kashmir beautyful kashmirKashmir, beautiful Kashmir!
Kashmir wonderful kashmirKashmir, wonderful Kashmir!
Odugindra maegam vandhu unai thottu paesumThe drifting clouds come and touch you to speak.
Odai neeril maedai pottu vaadai kaatru veesumThe northern wind blows, setting a stage on the stream water.
Odugindra maegam vandhu unai thottu paesumThe drifting clouds come and touch you to speak.
Odai neeril maedai pottu vaadai kaatru veesumThe northern wind blows, setting a stage on the stream water.
Ennenna vannangal poovil undendruTell me what colors exist in these flowers!
Sollungal kaanungal sorgam idhuvendruLook and say that this is indeed heaven!
Male
Kashmir beautyful kashmirKashmir, beautiful Kashmir!
Kashmir wonderful kashmirKashmir, wonderful Kashmir!
Kashmir beautyful kashmirKashmir, beautiful Kashmir!
Kashmir wonderful kashmirKashmir, wonderful Kashmir!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Kashmir Beautiful Kashmir is a vibrant travelogue-style song from the 1972 Tamil film Idhaya Veenai, performed on screen as a tour guide welcoming visitors to the scenic paradise of Kashmir. The song praises Kashmir's natural splendour—its drifting clouds, chill streams, blooming gardens, and unique cultural lifestyle such as using Kangri braziers to combat severe cold. Beyond physical beauty, the protagonist shares a message of social equality and truth, highlighting handicraft artisans and urging national unity. The lyricist Vaali intertwines patriotism and political reverence by linking Kashmir, the homeland of Jawaharlal Nehru, with Kanchipuram, associated with C.N. Annadurai. He honors the border-guarding soldiers protecting Mother India and celebrates Kashmir as the crowned northern gateway of the country, blending nature, human dignity, and national pride into an uplifting anthem.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Emonai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Odugindra maegam vandhu unai thottu paesum / Odai neeril maedai pottu vaadai kaatru veesum

The matching of initial consonants across paired lines, seen in 'Odugindra' and 'Odai'.

Ethirai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Sathiyam thaan naan paditha puthagamammaa / Samathuvam thaan naan arindha thathuvamammaa

The traditional Tamil poetic harmony of the second letter across lines ('th' in Sathiyam and Samathuvam).

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

En thaai thiru naattukku vaasalidhu / Ennaattavarkkum kalai koyilidhu

Directly metaphorizing Kashmir as the entrance gateway to the nation and a shrine of fine arts.

Analogy / Simile (Uvamai)

Annaavin paer sollum kaanjiyai pol / Naeruvin pughazh sollum boomiyidhu

Drawing a comparative analogy between Kashmir (associated with Jawaharlal Nehru) and Kanchipuram (associated with Dravidian leader C.N. Annadurai).

Did you know?

Trivia

The song features M.G. Ramachandran (MGR) acting as a tourist guide in Kashmir. MGR's films frequently featured songs promoting social harmony, patriotism, and respect for national leaders like Nehru and Annadurai. The lyrics explicitly describe the 'Kangri'—a traditional Kashmiri earthenware pot filled with glowing embers that locals wear under their clothing to stay warm in sub-zero winter temperatures.

Keep listening

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