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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Madhiyilla Moorkkar

From Sarangathara · 1958

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
Seerkazhi Govindarajan
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Details
Sarangathara1958

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Madhiyillaa moorgarukkorr magimai illaiThere is no glory for foolish, senseless men
Vaasamillaa pushpathai madhippaarillaiNo one respects a flower that lacks fragrance
Nidhiyillaa ezhaikkorr sugamum illaiThere is no pleasure for a poor person without wealth
Haa…aa…aa….Haa...aa...aa....
Needhiyillaa vendhanukku orr uyarvum illaiThere is no greatness for a king without justice
Male
Nadhiyillaa oorukkorr azhagum illaiThere is no beauty for a town without a river
Naariyar soll ketppavarukku gyaanam illaiThere is no wisdom in one who blindly follows a woman's advice
Sadhi seiyum sandalarukkoo sathiyamillaiThere is no truth in treacherous, deceitful villains
Nanbanae en veedhi seyalai thaduppaarillaiO friend, there is no one who can alter or stop the course of my fate
Male
Veenil varuthi enna payanWhat is the point of grieving in vain?
Veenil varuthi enna payanWhat is the point of grieving in vain?
Vidhiyin vilaivvai ninaindhu nondhuAching in heart while contemplating the outcomes of destiny
Veenil varuthi enna payanWhat is the point of grieving in vain?
Vidhiyin vilaivvai ninaindhu nondhuAching in heart while contemplating the outcomes of destiny
Veenil varuthi enna payanWhat is the point of grieving in vain?
Male
Aavadhum edhuvum azhivadhuWhatever comes into existence and whatever gets destroyed
Yaavum avan seyalaeEverything is entirely His divine doing
Aavadhum edhuvum azhivadhuWhatever comes into existence and whatever gets destroyed
Yaavum avan seyalaeEverything is entirely His divine doing
Avaniyil veenil varundhi enna payanIn this world, what is the point of grieving in vain?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song presents a profound philosophical reflection on human life, morality, and the supremacy of fate. It outlines a series of fundamental comparisons: just as a flower without fragrance, a town without a river, or a king without justice lacks inherent worth, a person lacking wisdom or truthfulness remains devoid of glory. The lyricist emphasizes that human distress over life's outcomes is futile, as destiny is unyielding and every aspect of creation and destruction is governed by divine divine willpower.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Needhiyillaa vendhanukku orr uyarvum illai

Repetition of the initial letter 'Na'/'Ne' sound across consecutive lines ('Needhiyillaa', 'Nadhiyillaa', 'Naariyar').

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Madhiyillaa moorgarukkorr magimai illai

Matching of the second consonant sound 'dhi' in 'Madhiyillaa', 'Nidhiyillaa', and 'Vidhiyin'.

Anaphora (Rhythmic Refrain)

Veenil varuthi enna payan

Repetition of the phrase 'Veenil varuthi enna payan' to reinforce the central philosophical motif of futility.

Did you know?

Trivia

This iconic philosophical song from Sarangathara (1958) was composed by G. Ramanathan and rendered powerfully by Seerkazhi Govindarajan. Written by A. Maruthakasi, the lyrics draw inspiration from classical Tamil didactic literature like Niti Venba, framing traditional moral maxims into cinematic carnatic melody.

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