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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Maa Manakkuthu

From Panchali · 1959

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singers
Seerkazhi Govindarajan, S. C. Krishnan, M. S. Rajeswari
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Panchali1959

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Sathiraadum pengalai polLike dancing women,
Thangha sambha thonudhuThe golden Samba paddy sways and appears.
Chorus :Thangha sambha thonudhuChorus: The golden Samba paddy appears.
Male :Kadhir aruthu adikkum bothuMale: When harvesting and threshing the crop,
Kattu kalam kaanudhuThe threshing floor comes into view.
Chorus :Kattu kalam kaanudhuChorus: The threshing floor comes into view.
Female
Pudhidhaaga vandha sattam arubadhu nappathuThe newly introduced law of 60-40,
Pudhidhaaga vandha sattam arubadhu nappathuThe newly introduced law of 60-40,
Male
Palinghu pondra neeri polaLike clear, crystal water,
Manamum irukkanumOne's heart should also be pure.
Haa…aa…aa…aa…Haa…aa…aa…aa…
Palinghu pondra neeri polaLike clear, crystal water,
Manamum irukkanumOne's heart should also be pure.
Paayum kavari maanai polaLike the leaping Kavari deer,
Maanam kakkanumOne must protect their honor.
Paayum kavari maanai polaLike the leaping Kavari deer,
Maanam kakkanumOne must protect their honor.
Male
Panbum anbum armum konduWith good character, love, and righteousness,
Sevai seiyanumOne must render selfless service.
Panbum anbum armum konduWith good character, love, and righteousness,
Sevai seiyanumOne must render selfless service.
Ondrupattu makkal ellamUniting together, all the people
Uyarndhu vaazhanumShould live in prosperity and rise high.
Ondrupattu makkal ellamUniting together, all the people
Uyarndhu vaazhanumShould live in prosperity and rise high.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from Panchali (1959) blends rural celebrations of harvest with moral and social reform commentary. It begins by painting a picturesque scene of golden Samba paddy fields swaying gently like dancing maidens, transitioning into the joyful bustle of harvesting on the threshing floor while acknowledging contemporary agrarian sharecropping reform laws ('Arubadhu Nappathu' / 60-40 share). Beyond agricultural joy, lyricist A. Maruthakasi weaves in timeless Tamil ethical philosophy. He urges people to keep a heart as pure as crystal water, guard personal honor like the legendary Kavari deer (which preserves its dignity at all costs), practice virtues like love and righteousness, and stand united as a society to prosper together.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Uvamai)

Sathiraadum pengalai pol / Thangha sambha thonudhu

Compares the swaying golden paddy stalks in the wind to graceful dancing women.

Simile (Uvamai)

Palinghu pondra neeri pola / Manamum irukkanum

Compares a pure and untainted human mind to crystal-clear water.

Cultural Metaphor / Classical Allusion

Paayum kavari maanai pola / Maanam kakkanum

Refers to the 'Kavari deer' (Kavari Maan), a classical Sangam literary motif representing high self-respect and dignity.

Assonance and Alliteration (Monai / Edhugai)

Panbum anbum armum kondu

Groups rhythmic moral virtues (Panbu - character, Anbu - love, Aram - righteousness) for poetic harmony.

Did you know?

Trivia

Lyricist A. Maruthakasi incorporated real socio-political commentary into this folk-inspired song. The phrase 'Pudhidhaaga vandha sattam arubadhu nappathu' refers to the Tanjore Pannaiyal Protection Act and agricultural fair-rent legislation introduced during K. Kamaraj's governance in Tamil Nadu in the 1950s, which mandated a 60-40 crop share split between tenant farmers and land owners.

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