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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Koduthathellam Koduthaan

From Padagotti · 1964

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Details
Padagotti1964

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
{ KoduthadhellamWhatever was given,
Koduthaan avanHe gave it all;
Yarukaga koduthaanFor whom did he give it?
Orutharuka koduthaanDid he give it for just one person?
Illai oorukaaga koduthaan } (2)No, he gave it for the entire world!
Male
Orutharuka koduthaanDid he give it for just one person?
Illai oorukaaga koduthaanNo, he gave it for the entire world!
Male
{ Mann kudisaiIf it is the entrance
Vaasal endral thendralOf a humble mud hut, will the breeze
Vara veruthiduma } (2)Refuse to enter?
Male
Maalai nilaWill the evening moon
Ezhai endral velichamRefuse to give its light
Thara maruthidumaJust because someone is poor?
Male
Unakaga ondruOne for you,
Enakaga ondru oruOne for me—never
Podhum deivam koduthadhillaiDid God divide and give like that!
Male
KoduthadhellamWhatever was given,
Koduthaan avanHe gave it all;
Yarukaga koduthaanFor whom did he give it?
Orutharuka koduthaanDid he give it for just one person?
Illai oorukaaga koduthaanNo, he gave it for the entire world!
Male
Padaithavan melThere is no blame on the Creator,
Pazhiyum illai pasithavanNor is there fault on the hungry;
Mel paavam illaiThere is no sin on them.
Male
KidaithavargalThose who grabbed it
Pirithu kondaar uzhaithavargalDivided it among themselves, while those who labored
Theruvil nindrarStood stranded on the street.
Male
Palar vaada vaadaWhile many wither in misery,
Silar vaazha vaazha oruAnd a few live in luxury—never
Podhum deivam koduthadhillaiDid God give with such inequality!
Male
KoduthadhellamWhatever was given,
Koduthaan avanHe gave it all;
Yarukaga koduthaanFor whom did he give it?
Orutharuka koduthaanDid he give it for just one person?
Illai oorukaaga koduthaanNo, he gave it for the entire world!
Male
{ Illai enbor irukaiyilaeWhile those who have nothing exist,
Irupavargal illai enbaar } (2)Those who have plenty still claim they have nothing.
Madi niraiya porul irukumTheir laps are filled with wealth,
Manam niraya irul irukumYet their minds are filled with darkness.
Male
Edhu vandhaWhatever comes,
Podhum podhuvendruAccepting it as sufficient for all,
Vaithu vaazhgindraThose who live contented lives—
Perai vaazhthiduvomLet us praise those noble people!
Male
KoduthadhellamWhatever was given,
Koduthaan avanHe gave it all;
Yarukaga koduthaanFor whom did he give it?
Orutharuka koduthaanDid he give it for just one person?
Illai oorukaaga koduthaanNo, he gave it for the entire world!
Male
Orutharuka koduthaanDid he give it for just one person?
Illai oorukaaga koduthaanNo, he gave it for the entire world!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This iconic philosophical song from the movie 'Padagotti' delivers a strong socialist and egalitarian message. It asserts that nature's abundant gifts—such as the soothing breeze and the moonlight—are meant for all human beings equally, without discriminating between the rich and the poor. God created nature for the entire community, not for a privileged few.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Rhetorical Question (Vinah Alangaram)

Mann kudisai vaasal endral thendral vara veruthiduma

The speaker asks whether natural elements like the breeze or moonlight would deny comfort to a poor man's hut, emphasizing nature's inherent impartiality.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Madi niraiya porul irukum / Manam niraya irul irukum

Matching initial consonant/vowel sounds in words across lines, such as 'Madi' and 'Manam'.

Antithesis / Contrast (Muran)

Madi niraiya porul irukum / Manam niraya irul irukum

Contrasting the abundance of wealth ('porul') with the poverty of character/darkness of mind ('irul').

Did you know?

Trivia

Sung by T. M. Soundararajan and composed by the legendary duo Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy, this song served as a major political vehicle for M. G. Ramachandran (MGR), reinforcing his screen image as a champion of the working class and the downtrodden.

Keep listening

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