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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kungumame Kumudhame

From Viswanathan Velai Venum · 1985

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Movie name
Viswanathan Velai Venum
Movie release year
1985
Lyrics added on
7 Oct 2022

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kungumamae kumudhamae
Mookuthiyae mutharamae
Enga idhayam pesugindrathu
Thaayae enga idhayam pesugindrathu
Makkal kural edhiroli thaaan
Engaladhu murasolidhaan
Jeyichiduvom nanga mundhidhaan
Engalukku neengal ellam dhinathandhithan
Chorus :Thaayae neengal ellam dhinathandhithan
Kungumamae kumudhamae
Mookuthiyae mutharamae
Enga idhayam pesugindrathu
Thaayae enga idhayam pesugindrathu
Makkal kural edhiroli thaaan
Engaladhu murasolidhaan
Jeyichiduvom nanga mundhidhaan
Engalukku neengal ellam dhinathandhithan
Chorus :Thaayae neengal ellam dhinathandhithan
…………….
Poovattam neenga irunga
Ammadi aanai idunga
Chorus :Senju mudippom nalla perai eduppom
Male :Porattam gaandhi vizhi thaan
Eppodhum saanthi vizhithaan
Chorus :Unnaviradham naanga onna iruppom
Male :Engalukkae vaakkugal podunga motham
Neengalum thaan naangalum thaan
Rathathin ratham
Kungumamae kumudhamae
Mookuthiyae mutharamae
Enga idhayam pesugindrathu
Thaayae enga idhayam pesugindrathu
…………….
Ladies hostelukkullae
Bathroomil thanniyae llae
Thanni varathaan naanga
Paadupaduvom
College canteen irukku
Ellamae oozhal sarakku
Chorus :Kasu kodunga naanga dosa suduvom
Male :Eval seivom kaavl seivom ungalkukaaga
Otta mattum pod venum engalukkaga
Ada kungumamae kumudhamae
Mookuthiyae mutharamae
Enga idhayam pesugindrathu
Thaayae enga idhayam pesugindrathu
…………….
Naal poora soru thingala haiyoo
Nethellam kannurangala
Chorus :Unga kavala enga ullngalilae
Male :Thaayaalae vandhavanga thaan
Thangachi ullavanga thaan
Chorus :Pennin perumai indha mannin perumai
Male :Idhiyavum indhiravum onnuthaanga
Ena ennumpadi senjavangalum ponnudhanunga
Kungumamae kumudhamae
Mookuthiyae mutharamae
Enga idhayam pesugindrathu
Thaayae enga idhayam pesugindrathu
Makkal kural edhiroli thaaan
Engaladhu murasolidhaan
Jeyichiduvom nanga mundhidhaan
Engalukku neengal ellam dhinathandhithan
Chorus :Thaayae neengal ellam dhinathandhithan
Aamam thaaye
Thaayae neengal ellam dhinathandhithan
Neengal ellam dhinathandhithan
Oh kumkum, oh water lily!
Oh nose-ring, oh pearl garland!
Our heart is speaking out!
O mothers, our heart is speaking out!
Echoing the voice of the people,
it is our sounding drum!
We will lead ahead and win!
To us, all of you are our Daily Thanthi!
Chorus: O mothers, all of you are our Daily Thanthi!
Oh kumkum, oh water lily!
Oh nose-ring, oh pearl garland!
Our heart is speaking out!
O mothers, our heart is speaking out!
Echoing the voice of the people,
it is our sounding drum!
We will lead ahead and win!
To us, all of you are our Daily Thanthi!
Chorus: O mothers, all of you are our Daily Thanthi!
...
You just sit pretty like flowers,
and give us your command, dear ladies!
Chorus: We will get it done and win a good name!
Male: Our struggle follows Gandhi's vision,
always looking with eyes of peace!
Chorus: We will all join in fasting together!
Male: Cast all your votes for us!
Both you and we
are the blood of our blood!
Oh kumkum, oh water lily!
Oh nose-ring, oh pearl garland!
Our heart is speaking out!
O mothers, our heart is speaking out!
...
Inside the ladies' hostel,
there is no water in the bathrooms!
To make the water flow,
we will work hard!
There is a college canteen,
but everything there is corrupt and substandard!
Chorus: Just give us money, and we will cook dosas for you!
Male: We will serve you and stand guard for you,
all you have to do is vote for us!
Oh kumkum, oh water lily!
Oh nose-ring, oh pearl garland!
Our heart is speaking out!
O mothers, our heart is speaking out!
...
We haven't eaten all day, oh my!
We didn't sleep a wink last night!
Chorus: Your worries fill our hearts!
Male: We were brought into this world by mothers,
and we too have younger sisters!
Chorus: The pride of womanhood is the pride of this land!
Male: "India and Indira are one and the same"—
the one who made everyone believe that was a woman too!
Oh kumkum, oh water lily!
Oh nose-ring, oh pearl garland!
Our heart is speaking out!
O mothers, our heart is speaking out!
Echoing the voice of the people,
it is our sounding drum!
We will lead ahead and win!
To us, all of you are our Daily Thanthi!
Chorus: O mothers, all of you are our Daily Thanthi!
Yes, mothers!
O mothers, all of you are our Daily Thanthi!
All of you are our Daily Thanthi!
Male
Male
Male
Male
Chorus
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Male
Chorus
Male
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Chorus
Male
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Chorus
Female
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Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This humorous election campaign song from Viswanathan Velai Venum (1985) features student leaders campaigning for women's votes. By flatteringly addressing women with traditional metaphors of grace and ornament (kumkuma, lotus, nose-ring, pearls), the callers appeal to female voters as mothers and sisters. The song humorously touches upon campus concerns such as water shortages in women's hostels and poor food quality in college canteens, promising peace, Gandhian non-violent protests, and dedicated service in exchange for votes. Through lively rhythm and witty lyrics, lyricist Vaali blends political satire with affectionate cultural references.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Kungumamae kumudhamae / Mookuthiyae mutharamae

Compares women to culturally revered items such as Kumkum, Kumudham (lotus), Mookuthi (nose-ring), and Mutharam (pearl necklace) to show respect and win their favor.

Simile

Poovattam neenga irunga

Uses 'poovattam' (flower-like) to describe how gentle and cherished women should remain.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Makkal kural edhiroli thaaan / Engaladhu murasolidhaan

Rhyming ending words 'edhiroli thaaan' and 'murasolidhaan' to create a rhythmic, catchy cadence suitable for campaign chanting.

Allusion

Engalukku neengal ellam dhinathandhithan

References 'Dina Thanthi', a widely popular Tamil daily newspaper, symbolizing how women are indispensable daily presences.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Viswanathan Velai Venum' (1985) is a comedy film featuring music by the duo Shankar-Ganesh. Lyricist Vaali crafted this parody of election campaigning, brilliantly rendered by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, highlighting 1980s Tamil college politics and popular social references.

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