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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Mahaaraajargale Maharaasigale

From Rathna Kumar · 1949

Lyricist
Papanasam Sivan
Singer
P. U. Chinnappa
Music directors
G. Ramanathan, C. R. Subbaraman
Details
Rathna Kumar1949

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Aaaa…aaaaaaaa..aaaaaaaa…Aaaa…aaaaaaaa..aaaaaaaa…
Aaaaaaaaa….aaaaaaaa…..aaaaaaaaa…Aaaaaaaaa….aaaaaaaa…..aaaaaaaaa…
Male
MagaraajargalaeO Great Kings!
MagaraasigalaeO Great Queens!
Magaraajargalae magaraasigalaeO Great Kings, O Great Queens!
Magaraajargalae dharmamigumO Great Kings, rich in righteousness,
PunniyamulloraeO Virtuous ones!
Magaraajargalae dharmamigumO Great Kings, rich in righteousness,
PunniyamulloraeO Virtuous ones!
Pettra thaayin mikkoraeGreater than the mother who gave birth to us,
Engal thandhaiyum neeraeYou are also our father!
Male
Pettra thaayin mikkoraeGreater than the mother who gave birth to us,
Engal thandhaiyum neeraeYou are also our father!
Magaraajargalae magaraasigalaeO Great Kings, O Great Queens!
Magaraasigalae….ae…..aaa…..aa….aa…..aa…O Great Queens….ae…..aaa…..aa….aa…..aa…
Haa…..aaa….aa….aa….Haa…..aaa….aa….aa….
Male
Magaraasigalae kaasiduveerO Great Queens, offer us some coins,
DharmamunduThere is great merit in charity!
Male
Magaraasigalae kaasiduveerO Great Queens, offer us some coins,
DharmamunduThere is great merit in charity!
Kulir thaanga illomaeWe have nothing to withstand the cold,
Pazhandhuni tharuveeraePlease give us your old clothes!
Kulir thaanga illomaeWe have nothing to withstand the cold,
Pazhandhuni tharuveeraePlease give us your old clothes!
Male
Magaraajargalae magaraasigalaeO Great Kings, O Great Queens!
Ammaa aiyaa ammaa aiyaaMother, Sir, Mother, Sir!
Magaraajargalae magaraasigalaeO Great Kings, O Great Queens!
Male
Engal naadariyomWe know no land of our own,
Kudiyirukka veedumillaamaeWe have no home to reside in,
Veyil vaadum irandaathmaaTwo souls wilting under the harsh sun,
Ingu thaedi vandhomaeWe have come here seeking your aid!
NaadariyomWe know no land of our own,
Kudiyirukka veedumillaamaeWe have no home to reside in,
Veyil vaadum irandaathmaaTwo souls wilting under the harsh sun,
Ingu thaedi vandhomaeWe have come here seeking your aid!
Paaduvadhaalae pasi theerndhidumoWill our hunger be satisfied merely by singing?
Parivaai eliyor mugamaeWith compassion, look upon the faces
PaarthiduveeraeOf these destitute people!
Naadariyom kudiyirukkaWe know no land, to reside
VeedumillaamaeWe have no home,
Veyil vaadum irandaathmaaTwo souls wilting under the harsh sun,
Ingu thaedi vandhomaeWe have come here seeking your aid!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant track from the 1949 film 'Rathna Kumar', composed by S. V. Venkatraman and C. R. Subbaraman with lyrics by Papanasam Sivan, is an evocative plea for charity by two destitute wanderers. Addressing the audience and patrons as benevolent kings and queens, they express their plight of having no home, no land to call their own, and no clothing to shield them from the biting cold or scorching heat. Elevating the noble acts of philanthropy, the singers praise generous donors as being even greater than birth parents. They highlight the harsh reality that singing alone cannot fill a hungry stomach and beg for mercy, food, old clothes, and small change, emphasizing that righteous acts of charity bring divine merit.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monaai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Paaduvadhaalae pasi theerndhidumo / Parivaai eliyor mugamae / Paarthiduveerae

Repetition of the 'Pa' sound at the start of consecutive lines creates a rhythmic cadence.

Anaphora (Repetitive Refrain)

Magaraajargalae magaraasigalae

The address 'Magaraajargalae magaraasigalae' is repeated extensively across stanzas to reinforce the humble pitch for alms.

Hyperbole / Metaphor

Pettra thaayin mikkorae, Engal thandhaiyum neerae

Comparing potential donors to be greater than one's birth mother ('Pettra thaayin mikkorae') flatters the listener to invoke deep empathy and charity.

Did you know?

Trivia

From the 1949 Tamil movie 'Rathna Kumar', starring P. U. Chinnappa and M. G. Ramachandran (MGR). The lyrics were crafted by the renowned Classical Carnatic composer and lyricist Papanasam Sivan, who expertly captured the traditional folk form of 'Pitchai Paattu' (beggar's appeal song) popular in vintage Tamil theatre and cinema.

Keep listening

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