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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Koodi Vazhnthal Kodi Nanmai

From Koodi Vazhnthal Kodi Nanmai · 2000

Lyricist
Muthulingam
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Deva
Details
Koodi Vazhnthal Kodi Nanmai2000

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
……………………..
Male
Koodi vaazhnthaal kodi nammaiIf we live together, a crore of benefits will follow
Koottu kudumbam thoppaagumA joint family becomes a thriving grove
Gunamum manamumGood character and heart
Adhil thaan koothaadumWill dance joyfully within it
Chorus
……………………………..
Male
Koyil pola veettai enniTreating the home as a sacred temple
Vaazhum kudumbam valamaagumThe family living there will prosper
Oorum uravumThe entire town and relatives
Dhinamum kondaadumWill celebrate them every day
Chorus
……………………………..
Male
Vinnilae…ae….ae…ae…….In the sky...
Velli meen kodiyaeCrores of silver star-fish
Koottamaai vaazhudhaeLive together in a cluster
Andha vinnai polae mannil vaazhvomLike that sky, let us live on earth
Ellorum ondraagavaeAll of us as one
Male
Koodi vaazhnthaal kodi nammaiIf we live together, a crore of benefits will follow
Koottu kudumbam thoppaagumA joint family becomes a thriving grove
Gunamum manamumGood character and heart
Adhil thaan koothaadumWill dance joyfully within it
Chorus
……………………………..
Male
Kootu kudumbam ondril thaanaeOnly in a joint family
Anbu nenjam adhigam irukkumThere is an abundance of loving hearts
Veettu velai kuviyum bothumEven when household chores pile up high
Aazhukkondraai seidhae mudikkumEveryone shares and completes them together
Manal thanai sumakkumCarrying small sand
Anil pillai polavaeJust like the tiny squirrel child
Chinna chinna velaikkaeFor small little tasks
Pillai undu veetilaeThere are children in the home
Dhaagam vandha nerathilWhen thirst arises
Thaneer kondu tharuvaaraeThey bring and serve water
Male
Thadam maari pogum bothuWhen one loses their path
Vazhi kaatta periyor induThere are elders to guide the way
Pasi endru sollum munnaeEven before one utters 'I am hungry'
Parimaarum kaigal unduThere are hands ready to serve food
Oru marakoottilae paravaigal polavaeLike birds living in a single tree nest
Vaazhvadhu aanandhamLiving together is pure bliss
Male
Koodi vaazhnthaal kodi nammaiIf we live together, a crore of benefits will follow
Koottu kudumbam thoppaagumA joint family becomes a thriving grove
Gunamum manamumGood character and heart
Adhil thaan koothaadumWill dance joyfully within it
Chorus
……………………………..
Male
Vasadhi padaithaFor wealthy and
Manidharkku ellaamAffluent people
Kootu kudithanam thevai illaiA joint family life is not essential
Nammai pondra naduthara kudumbamFor middle-class families like us
Thanithu vaazhnthaalIf we live in isolation
Pala vidha thollaiNumerous troubles arise
Male
Balamulla singamoThe powerful lion
Thanimaiyil vaazhudhuLives in solitude
Balamattra maangaloWhile weak deer
Koottathudan vazhudhuLive in herds together
Ondru pattu vazhvadhaeLiving unitedly
Ezhaikku oru balam aagumIs a source of strength for the poor
Male
Thanneerin ottrai thuliyaalCan a single drop of water
Thaagangal theernthaal pogumQuench a person's thirst?
Thuliyaavum ondraai serndhaalIf all the drops gather together
Nadhiyaagi naattai kaakkumIt becomes a river that protects the country
Kooturavu enbathum naaturavu enbathumSocial cooperation and national harmony
Veetruravil aarambamBegin with domestic harmony in the home
Male
Koodi vaazhnthaal kodi nammaiIf we live together, a crore of benefits will follow
Koottu kudumbam thoppaagumA joint family becomes a thriving grove
Gunamum manamumGood character and heart
Adhil thaan koothaadumWill dance joyfully within it
Chorus
……………………………..
Male
Koyil pola veettai enniTreating the home as a sacred temple
Vaazhum kudumbam valamaagumThe family living there will prosper
Oorum uravumThe entire town and relatives
Dhinamum kondaadumWill celebrate them every day
Chorus
……………………………..
Male
Vinnilae…ae….ae…ae…….In the sky...
Velli meen kodiyaeCrores of silver star-fish
Koottamaai vaazhudhaeLive together in a cluster
Andha vinnai polae mannil vaazhvomLike that sky, let us live on earth
Ellorum ondraagavaeAll of us as one

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Koodi Vazhnthal Kodi Nanmai' conveys a powerful message about the strength, joy, and emotional security offered by the traditional joint family system. It portrays a home built on unity as a sacred temple where daily chores become light through shared effort, children learn helpfulness, elders provide moral direction, and no member suffers alone. The lyrics draw parallels to nature, suggesting that just as stars group together in the night sky and birds share a nest, human beings thrive best when connected in communal warmth. Furthermore, the lyricist contrasts the solitary nature of powerful predators like lions with the collective strength of gentler creatures, asserting that unity is the ultimate source of security for middle-class and lower-income families. Just as single drops of water come together to form a life-giving river, individual family members uniting in harmony build the true foundation for social solidarity and national peace.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Proverbial Allusion / Idiom

Koodi vaazhnthaal kodi nammai

The song title and chorus line 'Koodi vaazhnthaal kodi nanmai' directly uses a traditional Tamil proverb emphasizing that unity brings endless blessings.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Koottu kudumbam thoppaagum

Compares a joint family to a flourishing grove ('thoppu') and a home to a temple ('koyil').

Simile (Upamai)

Anil pillai polavae

Compares children taking up small chores at home to the squirrel in epic lore assisting in building the bridge across the sea.

Analogy

Balamulla singamo Thanimaiyil vaazhudhu Balamattra maangalo Koottathudan vazhudhu

Uses the contrast between a solitary lion and a herd of deer to illustrate how unity provides safety and strength to the vulnerable.

Eukai / Monai (Initial Assonance / Rhyming)

Gunamum manamum

Repetition of initial consonants/vowels in successive rhythmic phrases like 'Koodi' and 'Kodi', 'Gunamum' and 'Manamum'.

Did you know?

Trivia

The title 'Koodi Vazhnthal Kodi Nanmai' is based on an ancient Tamil proverb meaning 'Unity brings millions of benefits'. The 2000 family drama movie directed by V. Sekhar focuses entirely on the socio-economic dynamics, conflict, and eventual reconciliation of joint families in Tamil Nadu. The music for the film was composed by Deva.

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