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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Maarathaiya Maarathu

From Kudumba Thalaivan · 1962

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Movie name
Kudumba Thalaivan
Movie release year
1962
Lyrics added on
20 Sept 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Maaraadhaiyaa maaraadhu
Manamum gunamum maaraadhu
Maaraadhaiyaa maaraadhu
Manamum gunamum maaraadhu
Ahaah hahaa… ohoh oho…
Mhum mhum mmm mm
Thuraviyin vaazhvil thuyaram vandhaalum
Thuraviyin vaazhvil thuyaram vandhaalum
Thooya thangam theeyil vendhaalum
Maaraadhaiyaa maaraadhu
Manamum gunamum maaraadhu
Ahaah hahaa… ohoh oho…
Mhum mhum mmm mm
Kaattu puliyai veettil vachaalum
Kariyum sorum kalandhu vachaalum
Kurangu kaiyil maalaiyai koduthu
Gopurathin mel nikka vachaalum
Kaattu puliyai veettil vachaalum
Kariyum sorum kalandhu vachaalum
Kurangu kaiyil maalaiyai koduthu
Gopurathin mel nikka vachaalum
Oo..ho ho ho ho ho ho ho
Maaraadhaiyaa maaraadhu
Manamum gunamum maaraadhu
Ahaah hahaa… ohoh oho…
Mhum mhum mmm mm
Varavariyaamal selavazhichaalum
Nelaikkaadhu
Manasariyaamal kaadhalichaalum
Palikkaadhu
Kaalamillaamal vidhai vidhaichaalum
Mulaikkaadhu
Kaathula vilakkai yaethi vachaalum
Eriyaadhu
Thittum vaayai pootti vachaalum
Thirudum kaiyai katti vachaalum
Thaedum kaadhai thirugi vachaalum
Aadum kangalai adakki vachaalum
Thittum vaayai pootti vachaalum
Thirudum kaiyai katti vachaalum
Thaedum kaadhai thirugi vachaalum
Aadum kangalai adakki vachaalum
Oo..ho ho ho ho ho ho ho
Maaraadhaiyaa maaraadhu
Manamum gunamum maaraadhu
Maaraadhaiyaa maaraadhu
Manamum gunamum maaraadhu
Ahaah hahaa… ohoh oho…
Mhum mhum mmm mm
It will never change, no, it won't change
A person's heart and true nature will never change
It will never change, no, it won't change
A person's heart and true nature will never change
Aha haha… oho oho…
Mhum mhum mmm mm
Even if sorrow enters a sage's life
Even if sorrow enters a sage's life
Or pure gold is burned in the fire
It will never change, no, it won't change
A person's heart and true nature will never change
Aha haha… oho oho…
Mhum mhum mmm mm
Even if you keep a wild tiger at home
And feed it rice mixed with meat
Even if you hand a flower garland to a monkey
And make it stand high on a temple tower
Even if you keep a wild tiger at home
And feed it rice mixed with meat
Even if you hand a flower garland to a monkey
And make it stand high on a temple tower
Oh..ho ho ho ho ho ho ho
It will never change, no, it won't change
A person's heart and true nature will never change
Aha haha… oho oho…
Mhum mhum mmm mm
If you spend money without knowing your income
It will not last
If you fall in love without knowing the other's heart
It will never succeed
If you sow seeds out of season
They will never sprout
If you light an oil lamp out in the wind
It will not stay burning
Even if you lock a foul-mouthed tongue
Even if you tie down a thieving hand
Even if you twist eavesdropping ears
Even if you hold back wandering eyes
Even if you lock a foul-mouthed tongue
Even if you tie down a thieving hand
Even if you twist eavesdropping ears
Even if you hold back wandering eyes
Oh..ho ho ho ho ho ho ho
It will never change, no, it won't change
A person's heart and true nature will never change
It will never change, no, it won't change
A person's heart and true nature will never change
Aha haha… oho oho…
Mhum mhum mmm mm
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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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