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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Maarathaiya Maarathu

From Kudumba Thalaivan · 1962

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Kudumba Thalaivan1962

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics↻ English translation
Male
Maaraadhaiyaa maaraadhuIt will not change, sir, it will not change
Manamum gunamum maaraadhuThe mind and character will not change
Maaraadhaiyaa maaraadhuIt will not change, sir, it will not change
Manamum gunamum maaraadhuThe mind and character will not change
Ahaah hahaa… ohoh oho…Ahaah hahaa… ohoh oho…
Mhum mhum mmm mmMhum mhum mmm mm
Male
Thuraviyin vaazhvil thuyaram vandhaalumEven if sorrow comes into an ascetic's life
Thuraviyin vaazhvil thuyaram vandhaalumEven if sorrow comes into an ascetic's life
Thooya thangam theeyil vendhaalumEven if pure gold is burnt in fire
Male
Maaraadhaiyaa maaraadhuIt will not change, sir, it will not change
Manamum gunamum maaraadhuThe mind and character will not change
Ahaah hahaa… ohoh oho…Ahaah hahaa… ohoh oho…
Mhum mhum mmm mmMhum mhum mmm mm
Male
Kaattu puliyai veettil vachaalumEven if you keep a wild tiger inside the house
Kariyum sorum kalandhu vachaalumEven if you feed it meat mixed with rice
Kurangu kaiyil maalaiyai koduthuEven if you hand a garland to a monkey
Gopurathin mel nikka vachaalumAnd place it atop a temple tower
Male
Kaattu puliyai veettil vachaalumEven if you keep a wild tiger inside the house
Kariyum sorum kalandhu vachaalumEven if you feed it meat mixed with rice
Kurangu kaiyil maalaiyai koduthuEven if you hand a garland to a monkey
Gopurathin mel nikka vachaalumAnd place it atop a temple tower
Oo..ho ho ho ho ho ho hoOo..ho ho ho ho ho ho ho
Male
Maaraadhaiyaa maaraadhuIt will not change, sir, it will not change
Manamum gunamum maaraadhuThe mind and character will not change
Ahaah hahaa… ohoh oho…Ahaah hahaa… ohoh oho…
Mhum mhum mmm mmMhum mhum mmm mm
Male
Varavariyaamal selavazhichaalumSpending money without knowing your income
NelaikkaadhuWill not last
Manasariyaamal kaadhalichaalumLoving someone without understanding your own mind
PalikkaadhuWill not succeed
Kaalamillaamal vidhai vidhaichaalumSowing seeds out of season
MulaikkaadhuWill not sprout
Kaathula vilakkai yaethi vachaalumLighting a lamp out in the open wind
EriyaadhuWill not stay lit
Male
Thittum vaayai pootti vachaalumEven if you lock up a scolding mouth
Thirudum kaiyai katti vachaalumEven if you tie up a stealing hand
Thaedum kaadhai thirugi vachaalumEven if you twist an eavesdropping ear
Aadum kangalai adakki vachaalumEven if you restrain wandering eyes
Male
Thittum vaayai pootti vachaalumEven if you lock up a scolding mouth
Thirudum kaiyai katti vachaalumEven if you tie up a stealing hand
Thaedum kaadhai thirugi vachaalumEven if you twist an eavesdropping ear
Aadum kangalai adakki vachaalumEven if you restrain wandering eyes
Oo..ho ho ho ho ho ho hoOo..ho ho ho ho ho ho ho
Male
Maaraadhaiyaa maaraadhuIt will not change, sir, it will not change
Manamum gunamum maaraadhuThe mind and character will not change
Maaraadhaiyaa maaraadhuIt will not change, sir, it will not change
Manamum gunamum maaraadhuThe mind and character will not change
Ahaah hahaa… ohoh oho…Ahaah hahaa… ohoh oho…
Mhum mhum mmm mmMhum mhum mmm mm

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song reflects on the immutable nature of human character and the inevitability of natural laws. Lyricist Kannadasan uses a series of traditional Tamil proverbs and vivid metaphors to illustrate that a person's core disposition rarely changes regardless of external conditions. Just as an ascetic retains purity despite hardship and gold remains gold after being refined in fire, wild instincts and inherent human flaws cannot be masked merely by changing one's surroundings or imposing physical restraints. Additionally, the song offers practical wisdom regarding financial prudence, emotional honesty, and acting in harmony with time and nature. Attempting actions without proper foundation—such as overspending income, loving without true self-awareness, or lighting a lamp in a strong wind—is shown to be inherently futile. The song serves as a pragmatic yet philosophical commentary on human behavior and life's timeless truths.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor / Analogy (Uvamai)

“Kaattu puliyai veettil vachaalum”

Uses physical impossibilities and animal behaviors (like feeding a wild tiger rice or placing a garlanded monkey on a tower) to illustrate that core human traits do not alter.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

“Nelaikkaadhu / Palikkaadhu / Mulaikkaadhu / Eriyaadhu”

Consistent end rhyming structure across consecutive lines emphasizing futility ('Nelaikkaadhu', 'Palikkaadhu', 'Mulaikkaadhu', 'Eriyaadhu').

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

“Thittum vaayai pootti vachaalum / Thirudum kaiyai katti vachaalum”

Repetition of initial consonant sounds across paired lines.

Edugai (Second Letter Rhyming)

“Thittum vaayai pootti vachaalum”

Matching second consonants across successive lines to create rhythmic flow ('Thittum', 'Thirudum', 'Thaedum', 'Aadum').

Did you know?

Trivia

'Kudumba Thalaivan' (1962) was an M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) starrer directed by T. R. Ramanna, featuring music by K. V. Mahadevan. Kannadasan's lyrics in this track adapt popular Tamil folk adages (such as 'Kurangu kaiyil poomaalai') into philosophical film music seamlessly.

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