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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Katpin Ilakkaname

From Naan Valartha Thangai · 1958

Lyricist
Pattukkottai Kalyanasundram
Singer
Ghantasala
Music director
Pondiyala Srinivasan
Details
Naan Valartha Thangai1958

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Karppin ilakkanamaeO epitome of virtue and chastity!
Kalangamilladha thilagamaeO unblemished mark of honor!
Deepamae penn deivamO divine woman, a shining lamp!
Un kannilae neer perugaWith tears welling up in your eyes,
Kavalaiyilae manam urugaWith your heart melting in deep sorrow,
Kadum payanam povadhengaeWhere are you embarking on this arduous journey?
Male
Perum paasamae izhandhuHaving lost immense love and affection,
Manam paadhiyilae odindhuWith a heart broken halfway through,
Unadhaasai kalasamae norungiyadhaHas the sacred vessel of your desires shattered?
Perum paasamae izhandhuHaving lost immense love and affection,
Male
Sondhamum bandhamumKith and kin,
Sugangalum anbumPleasures and affection,
Soozhndhu kondae dhinam paarattumDaily surrounding and praising you,
Inbam endruunai namba vaithathumaeAfter making you believe that this was true happiness,
Idaiyinil yemattrumDeceives you along the way,
Idhil ethanai maarattamHow many inversions and betrayals exist in this!
Male
Perum paasamae izhandhuHaving lost immense love and affection,
Manam paadhiyilae odindhuWith a heart broken halfway through,
Unadhaasai kalasamae norungiyadhaHas the sacred vessel of your desires shattered?
Perum paasamae izhandhuHaving lost immense love and affection,
Male
Kaalathin kaigalil vandiyum maadumIn the hands of Time, the bullock and the cart,
Kanda thisaiyil adhan manam pol oodumRuns as its mind pleases in whatever direction it finds.
Engu serumo enna aagumoWhere will it end? What will happen to it?
Ingillaiyoo kavanam edhuvarai un payanamIs there no care or mindfulness here? How far will your journey go?
Male
Perum paasamae izhandhuHaving lost immense love and affection,
Manam paadhiyilae odindhuWith a heart broken halfway through,
Unadhaasai kalasamae norungiyadhaHas the sacred vessel of your desires shattered?
Perum paasamae izhandhuHaving lost immense love and affection,

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant song expresses profound grief and compassion for a virtuous woman undergoing severe distress and betrayal. The lyricist praises her noble character while sorrowfully questioning her endless, uncertain journey undertaken with tears and a broken heart. It reflects on how worldly relationships and transient comforts flatter people initially only to deceive them mid-way. The song further uses a powerful philosophical metaphor comparing human life to a bullock cart driven blindly by Time, moving unpredictably towards an unknown destination. Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram's evocative lyrics capture the essence of existential helplessness and emotional heartbreak.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

Unadhaasai kalasamae norungiyadha

'Unadhaasai kalasamae' compares the woman's hopes and dreams to a sacred pot (Kalasam) that has shattered into pieces.

Allegory / Metaphor

Kaalathin kaigalil vandiyum maadum

'Kaalathin kaigalil vandiyum maadum' allegorizes human life and destiny as a cart driven arbitrarily by the hands of Time.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Sondhamum bandhamum / Sugangalum anbum / Soozhndhu kondae dhinam paarattum

Repetition of initial consonant sound 'S' ('Sondhamum', 'Sugangalum', 'Soozhndhu') creates a rhythmic, musical flow.

Refrain / Anaphora

Perum paasamae izhandhu

The line 'Perum paasamae izhandhu' is repeated continuously as a haunting refrain to emphasize emotional loss.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Naan Valartha Thangai' (1958) was directed by Ch. Narayanamurthy and starred Malayalam superstar Prem Nazir in a rare Tamil appearance. The music was composed by Pendyala Nageswara Rao (often credited in Tamil film press as Pondiyala Srinivasan), featuring legendary Telugu/Tamil playback singer Ghantasala delivering Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram's deeply emotional lyrics.

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