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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Makka Kalanguthappa

From Dharmadurai · 2016

Lyricist
Mathichiyam Bala
Singer
Mathichiyam Bala
Music director
Yuvan Shankar Raja
Details
Dharmadurai2016

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Iraiva un maaligayilOh God, in your divine palace,
Eththanaiyo mani vilakkuThere are so many precious lamps.
Thalaivaa un kaaladaiyilOh Leader, at your feet,
Nambikkaiyin oli vilakkuThere is a lamp of hope,
Nambikkaiyin oli vilakkuThere is a lamp of hope.
Male
Makka kalanguthappaThe people are distressed and weeping,
Makka kalanguthappaaThe people are distressed and weeping,
Madi pudichu ilukkuthappaaThey are pulling at your clothes in grief.
Male
Naadu kalanguthappaaThe whole country is distressed,
Naattu makka thavikkuthappaaThe people of this land are suffering,
Enna peththa magaraasaaOh my beloved king who raised me!
Male
Change the moodChange the mood,
Start the musicStart the music!
Male
Makka kalanguthappaaThe people are distressed and weeping,
Madi pudichu ilukkuthappaaThey are pulling at your clothes in grief.
Makka kalanguthappaaThe people are distressed and weeping,
Madi pudichu ilukkuthappaaThey are pulling at your clothes in grief.
Male
Naadu kalanguthappaaThe whole country is distressed,
Naadu kalanguthappaaThe whole country is distressed,
Naattu makka thavikkuthappaaThe people of this land are suffering,
Enna peththa magaraasaaOh my beloved king who raised me!
Male
{Nee enna peththa magaraasaa{You are the great king who raised me,
Indha oora kaakkum raasa } (2)The king who protects this entire village} (2)
Male
Rosa poo maala pottuAdorned with a garland of red roses,
Rosa poo maala pottuAdorned with a garland of red roses,
Raasa nee amarndhirukkaAs you sit like a king,
Male
Atherumae manakkuthappaThe scent of perfume fills the air,
Atherumae manakkuthappaThe scent of perfume fills the air.
Panneerin vaadaiyappaaThe fragrance of rosewater is everywhere,
Male
Angam manakkum raasaaYour entire body exudes a sweet fragrance, oh king!
{Hey angam manakkum raasaa{Hey, your entire body exudes a sweet fragrance, oh king,
Indha oora kaakkum raasaa} (2)The king who protects this entire village} (2)
Male
Paarthaalae paccha mugam….Just looking at your innocent, youthful face...
Paarthaalae paccha mugam….Just looking at your innocent, youthful face...
Paalu vadiyum mugamA face overflowing with milk-like purity,
Paarthaalae paccha mugam….Just looking at your innocent, youthful face...
Paalu vadiyum mugamA face overflowing with milk-like purity.
Pachcha mugathazhagaaOh beautiful one with such an innocent face,
En raasaaMy king!
Male
Nee paralogamYou have gone to the heavenly world,
Engala vittu paralogamLeaving us behind for the heavenly world.
Raasaa paralogamOh king, to the heavenly world,
Poneeyappa yen raasaaYou have departed, my king!
Neenga paralogam poneengalaeYou have gone away to the heavenly realm,
Yen raasaaMy king!
Male
Makka kalanguthappaaThe people are distressed and weeping,
Makka kalanguthappaaThe people are distressed and weeping,
Madi pudichu ilukkuthappaaThey are pulling at your clothes in grief.
Male
Naadu kalanguthappaaThe whole country is distressed,
Naattu makka thavikkuthappaaThe people of this land are suffering,
Enna peththa magaraasaaOh my beloved king who raised me,
Intha oora kaakum raasaThe king who protects this village,
Nee enna peththa magaraasaaYou are the great king who raised me,
Intha oora kaakum raasa….The king who protects this village...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Makka Kalanguthappa' is a folk-style song composed for the 2016 film Dharmadurai, blending elements of Oppari (traditional Tamil mourning song) with upbeat folk rhythm. The lyrics mourn the loss of a beloved figure and village protector, lamenting his departure to the heavenly realm while recounting his innocent, handsome appearance, royal presence, and the profound grief felt by the villagers.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Anaphora / Epanaphora

Makka kalanguthappa

Repetition of the line 'Makka kalanguthappaa' at the beginning of multiple stanzas to emphasize collective grief.

Metaphor

Paalu vadiyum mugam

Comparing innocence and youthfulness of the face to milk ('Paalu vadiyum mugam').

Euphemism

Nee paralogam

Using 'Paralogam' (heavenly world) to refer gently to death.

Edhugai (Tamil Rhyming Device)

Iraiva un maaligayil / Thalaivaa un kaaladaiyil

Second-letter rhyming between consecutive lines ('Iraiva' and 'Thalaivaa').

Did you know?

Trivia

Although styled like a traditional funeral lament ('Oppari'), the song functions as a celebratory dance track in the film Dharmadurai, featuring music composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja and vocals by folk singer Mathichiyam Bala.

Keep listening

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