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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kathadichi Ilai Vizhuntha

From Sonnathai Seiven · 1977

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
V. Kumar
Movie name
Sonnathai Seiven
Movie release year
1977
Lyrics added on
25 Mar 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kaaththadichchi ilai vizhunthaa….aa….
Kaaththoda sakthi illae
Kaaththadichchi ilai vizhunthaa….aa….
Kaaththoda sakthi illae
Ilai iruntha iruppu athu thangachi
Nee yaeththukkalae thoththuvidum un katchi
Kaaththadichchi ilai vizhunthaa….aa….
Kaaththoda sakthi illae
Aagaayaththai paaththu suttu
Adhula oru kili vizhunthaa
Appuramaa sutomunny perillae
Adhai adhirshtamunnu solluvaanga oorilae
Unakku vantha neramathu uchaththula vachchathadi
Avanukkoru neram varum paaththukko
Appo avan koduththa adhaiyum
Neeyum vaangikko
Kaaththadichchi ilai vizhunthaa….aa….
Kaaththoda sakthi illae
Kovilukkul kulaththa vachchi
Kudaththukkullae vilakka vachci
Saaththuvathil magimai illae therinjukko
Adhai yaeththinaaththaan perumai varum purinjukko
Gandhi mahan sirai irunthaar
Kannan avan adhil piranthaan
Gandhi mahan sirai irunthaar
Kannan avan adhil piranthaan
Gandhiyoda kannan enna thirudanaa
Antha kadavul enna unnai pola kurudanaa
Kaaththadichchi ilai vizhunthaa….aa….
Kaaththoda sakthi illae
Poi solli jeyichavarum
Poli porulai vittravarum
Ayyanidam oru samayam poganum
Appo avaridamthaan kanakku solli aaganum
Poi solli jeyichavarum
Poli porulai vittravarum
Ayyanidam oru samayam poganum
Appo avaridamthaan kanakku solli aaganum
Aaththukkullae thangangalai
Alli alli pottuvittaal
Pottavanthaan edukka venum
Keladi paava punniyaththai nampugira bhoomidi
Kaaththadichchi ilai vizhunthaa….aa….
Kaaththoda sakthi illae
Ilai iruntha iruppu athu thangachi
Nee yaeththukkalae thoththuvidum un katchi
Ilai iruntha iruppu athu thangachi
Nee yaeththukkalae thoththuvidum un katchi
If a leaf falls when the wind blows...
it is not the power of the wind.
If a leaf falls when the wind blows...
it is not the power of the wind.
It was simply the frail state the leaf was in, sister;
if you do not accept this, your side will lose.
If a leaf falls when the wind blows...
it is not the power of the wind.
If you shoot into the sky
and a parrot falls down,
no one will praise your shooting skills;
the whole town will call it pure luck.
Your good time has put you at the top right now,
but his time will come too, just wait and see!
When that time comes, whatever he gives back,
you too will have to take it!
If a leaf falls when the wind blows...
it is not the power of the wind.
Building a pond within a temple,
and hiding a lit lamp inside a pot,
then locking it away brings no glory, know this!
Only when you let the light shine does greatness come, understand this!
The great Gandhi spent time in prison,
and Lord Krishna was born in one.
The great Gandhi spent time in prison,
and Lord Krishna was born in one.
Were Gandhi and Krishna thieves?
Is God blind like you?
If a leaf falls when the wind blows...
it is not the power of the wind.
Those who won by telling lies,
and those who sold fake goods,
must face the Lord one day;
and then they will have to settle their accounts with Him!
Those who won by telling lies,
and those who sold fake goods,
must face the Lord one day;
and then they will have to settle their accounts with Him!
If you throw handfuls of gold
away into a river,
the one who threw it must go in to retrieve it;
listen, this earth believes in sin and good deeds!
If a leaf falls when the wind blows...
it is not the power of the wind.
It was simply the frail state the leaf was in, sister;
if you do not accept this, your side will lose.
It was simply the frail state the leaf was in, sister;
if you do not accept this, your side will lose.
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Kaaththadichchi Ilai Vizhunthaa from Sonnathai Seiven (1977) is a philosophical Tamil song composed by V. Kumar and rendered by T. M. Soundararajan, with lyrics by Kannadasan. The song warns against arrogance and mistaken credit, using simple natural analogies to convey deep life truths. It explains that a leaf falling when a breeze blows is due to the leaf's readiness to drop, not the strength of the wind—just as coincidence or luck should not be mistaken for personal skill or power. Kannadasan touches on themes of karma, moral accountability, and divine justice. Drawing references from Lord Krishna and Mahatma Gandhi, he points out that external circumstances do not define one's righteousness. Ultimately, the song serves as a reminder that temporary victories gained through deceit will eventually be evaluated by divine authority on an earth governed by cause and effect.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai)

“Kaaththadichchi ilai vizhunthaa / Kaaththoda sakthi illae”

Kannadasan uses the image of a dry leaf falling during a breeze to symbolize how people attribute natural or inevitable occurrences to their own power.

Second-letter Rhyme (Ethukai)

“Poi solli jeyichavarum / Poli porulai vittravarum”

The second consonant 'i' rhymes between 'Poi' and 'Poli', adding rhythmic harmony and emphasis to deceitful actions.

Allusion (Historical & Mythological Reference)

“Gandhi mahan sirai irunthaar / Kannan avan adhil piranthaan”

Refers to Mahatma Gandhi and Lord Krishna to emphasize that being in prison does not automatically make someone a criminal or diminish their character.

Did you know?

Trivia

The lyricist Kannadasan was well-known for weaving deep Vedantic and moral philosophy into colloquial Tamil song lyrics. The melody by V. Kumar features a folk-infused rhythm that complements T. M. Soundararajan's expressive delivery.

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