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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Maaname Pradhaanam

From Deivame Thunai · 1959

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
Details
Deivame Thunai1959

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Maanamae prathaanamHonor is paramount
Maanamae prathaanamHonor is paramount
Idhai naam mathiththu vaazha vendumWe must respect this and live accordingly
Thanmaanamae prathaanamSelf-respect is paramount
Idhai naam mathiththu vaazha vendumWe must respect this and live accordingly
Thanmaanamae prathaanamSelf-respect is paramount
Vaazhvu varinum thaazhvu varinumWhether prosperity comes or adversity strikes
Vaazhvu varinum thaazhvu varinumWhether prosperity comes or adversity strikes
Vaiayagaththil maasillaathaIn this world, unblemished
Maanamae prathaanamHonor is paramount
Male
Maadum kandrum irunthaalumEven if one possesses cattle and calves
Makkal suttrum niranthaalumEven if surrounded by family and people
Kodi selvam kuvinthaalumEven if crores of wealth accumulate
Pattam padhaviyil siranthaalumEven if one excels with titles and high positions
Irunthum illaathavaraeThey are as good as non-existent
Maanam izhantha pergal padharaeThose who lose their honor are merely worthless chaff
Adhnaal maanamae prathaanamTherefore, honor is paramount
Male
Selvam endrum nillaathuWealth never lasts forever
Adhu thirumba palanaal sellalathuIt may take many days to return
Selvam endrum nillaathuWealth never lasts forever
Adhu thirumba palanaal sellalathuIt may take many days to return
Sendra maanam thirumbaathuOnce lost, honor will never return
Kankanda unmai idhu thavaraathu….This is an indisputable, visible truth...
Maanamae prathaanamHonor is paramount
Male
Maanam izhanthaal avamaanam….mmLosing honor results in humiliation... mm
Aa…..aa….aa…..aa….aa…..a….aa….Aa... aa... aa... aa... aa... a... aa...
Maanam izhanthaal avamaanam….mmLosing honor results in humiliation... mm
Manithan kaanum vegumaanamIt is the ultimate reward man can attain
Idhai manathil kondu nimirnthu nindruKeeping this in mind and standing tall
Idhai manathil kondu nimirnthu nindruKeeping this in mind and standing tall
Pugazhai theda venumOne must seek true fame
Ulagil maanamae prathaanamIn this world, honor is paramount
Male
Idhai naam mathiththu vaazha vendumWe must respect this and live accordingly
Thanmaanamae prathaanamSelf-respect is paramount
Male
Maanamae prathaanam….Honor is paramount...
Thanmaanamae prathaanam…..Self-respect is paramount...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This philosophical song highlights the absolute primacy of honor, self-respect, and dignity in human life. It asserts that material possessions, cattle, immense wealth, social status, and a large family are utterly useless if one sacrifices personal integrity. While lost wealth can eventually be regained, lost honor is gone forever, making those without dignity no better than empty chaff. The song urges individuals to hold self-respect high in their hearts, stand upright, and live a life focused on lasting fame and moral righteousness.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Alliteration)

Maanamae prathaanam

Repetition of the initial 'M' sound in words like Maanamae, Mathiththu, Maadum, Makkal across lines.

Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Vaazhvu varinum thaazhvu varinum

Matching of second consonants in paired phrases such as 'Vaazhvu' and 'Thaazhvu'.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Maanam izhantha pergal padharae

Comparing people who have lost their dignity to empty, worthless grain chaff ('padhar').

Did you know?

Trivia

Penned by the revered lyricist A. Maruthakasi for the 1959 film 'Deivame Thunai', the song heavily echoes ancient Sangam Tamil moral principles and Tirukkural chapter 'Maanam' (Honor), which preaches that living without self-dignity renders life meaningless.

Keep listening

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