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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kathu Thirai Kadal

From Rajaraja Chozhan · 1972

Lyricist
Poovai Senguttavan
Singer
R. Muthuraman
Music director
Kunnakudi Vaithiyanathan
Movie name
Rajaraja Chozhan
Movie release year
1972
Lyrics added on
18 Mar 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kaththu thiraikadal soozhavanikoru
Kanmani pondravanae
Karpaga naadan eppuram menmai
Kanakkilaa vaainthavanae
Muththamizhai payil viththagar naavil
Nulainthidu naayaganae
Moovulagum pugazh chozhaparanthaga
Vaazhiya vaazhiyavae
Manaththaal thanaithaan madhippaai
Ninaipaar thamakkae virumpaanavan
Serukkaal orukkaal sinaththaal
Verupaar kudikkae neruppanavan
Gunaththaal kulaththaal inaththal
Maraththaal thiraththaal sirappaanavan
Koduppaar enaththaan aruththaar
Thamai penum kulasegaran vaazhgavae
Por munaiyil pugazg seran mudithalai
Poyurena perum veeram vilathanai
Puli varaintha kodi asaiyumun
Pagaivar mudi thuranthu unathu adipanithiduva
Ponni valanaadu kanni tamil veedu
Ennum pugalodu inba niraivodu
Vaazhga vaazhga veera chozha rajarajan vaazhgavae
To this world surrounded by the roaring sea,
O one who is as precious as the apple of the eye,
With greatness excelling even the king of heaven on every side,
O one blessed with countless virtues!
On the tongues of masters skilled in the three forms of Tamil (Muthamizh: literature, music, and drama),
O great hero who lives upon their words,
O Chola Paranthaka, praised across all three worlds,
Long live, may you live long!
To those who hold him with true respect in their hearts,
He is the dearest and most beloved friend;
Yet to those who oppose him out of pride or sudden anger,
He is a blazing fire that destroys their entire clan!
In character, noble heritage, and kinship,
In valor and skill, he stands supreme!
Knowing he is generous, to those who come seeking shelter,
Long live the noble protector who cares for them all!
On the battlefield, the crowned head of the famous Chera king
You shattered, proving your mighty bravery!
Even before your tiger flag begins to flutter,
Enemies surrender their crowns and bow at your feet!
In the fertile land of the Ponni (Cauvery) river, the eternal home of Tamil,
With such enduring fame and abundant joy,
Long live, long live, the valiant Chola king Raja Raja, long live!
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This classic Tamil panegyric celebrates the glory, righteousness, and supreme valor of the Chola monarch. It portrays the king as the beloved protector of the sea-encircled realm, comparing his value to the pupil of an eye and praising his deep connection to the scholarly traditions of Muthamizh (prose, poetry, and theater). The lyric highlights his dual nature: gentle and generous towards his subjects, yet an incinerating fire to hostile forces.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai (Simile) / Metaphor

“Kanmani pondravanae”

Compares the king to the pupil of an eye ('Kanmani') and his wrath to fire ('Neruppanavan') against enemy clans.

Etukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

“Kaththu thiraikadal / Muththamizhai payil”

The second consonant sound 'th' aligns across words like 'Kaththu' and 'Muththamizhai', enhancing the rhythmic musicality.

Iyaibu (Internal Suffix Rhyme)

“Gunaththaal kulaththaal inaththal / Maraththaal thiraththaal sirappaanavan”

Repetition of the instrumental suffix '-thaal' ('Gunaththaal', 'kulaththaal', 'Maraththaal', 'thiraththaal') creates a strong cadence.

Cultural Symbolism (Emblematic Imagery)

“Puli varaintha kodi asaiyumun”

References the famous Chola tiger flag ('Puli varaintha kodi'), symbolizing sovereignty and military dominance.

Did you know?

Trivia

Featured in the historic movie 'Rajaraja Chozhan' (1973), which starred Nadigar Thilagam Sivaji Ganesan and was notably the first Tamil feature film shot in full CinemaScope.

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