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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Malai Naattu Kuravar

From Srivalli · 1961

Lyricist
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
Singers
Jikki, Chorus
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Details
Srivalli1961

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kannai kattuna kannathil koduppomIf you blindfold us, we will slap your cheek!
Kaiyai neetuna kanaigalai thoduppomIf you stretch out your hand aggressively, we will string our arrows!
Female Chorus :Kannai kattuna kannathil koduppomFemale Chorus: If you blindfold us, we will slap your cheek!
Kaiyai neetuna kanaigalai thoduppomIf you stretch out your hand aggressively, we will string our arrows!
Female :Ponnae kaattuna podariyil koduppomFemale: If you show us gold to tempt us, we will strike the back of your head!
Ponnae kaattuna podariyil koduppomIf you show us gold to tempt us, we will strike the back of your head!
Female Chorus :Unmaikkagavae uyir kodukkumFemale Chorus: Sacrificing our very lives for the sake of truth,
Malai naattu kuravar naangaWe are the Kuravas of the mountain country!
Villai kattum kuravar naangaWe are the Kuravas who wield the bow!
Pen vettaiyaada varum kaattu poochigalaiWild insects who come to hunt down women,
Virattum jaadhi thaangaWe belong to the community that chases them away!
Female
Karppai kakkavae thunindha jaathingaWe are a clan bold enough to protect our chastity and honor,
Kavari maan pola valarndha jaathingaA clan that grew with pride like the regal Kavari deer,
Arpamaagavae nenachudathinghaDo not look down upon us as trivial or weak!
Arpamaagavae nenachudathinghaDo not look down upon us as trivial or weak!
Female Chorus :Azhagai paathavudan asandhidadhaFemale Chorus: Unmoved and unswayed by mere outer beauty,
Malai naattu kuravar naangaWe are the Kuravas of the mountain country!
Villai kattum kuravar naangaWe are the Kuravas who wield the bow!
Pen vettaiyaada varum kaattu poochigalaiWild insects who come to hunt down women,
Virattum jaadhi thaangaWe belong to the community that chases them away!
Female
Namma vedar kulam thazhaikka venumMay our hunter clan flourish and thrive,
Namma naadu kaadugalum sezhikka venumMay our land and forests grow prosperous!
Hoo ooo ooo oooHoo ooo ooo ooo
Namma vedar kulam thazhaikka venumMay our hunter clan flourish and thrive,
Namma naadu kaadugalum sezhikka venumMay our land and forests grow prosperous!
Female and Chorus :Engal nambhiraajan pugazh oongavaeFemale and Chorus: So that the glory of our King Nambhirajan soars high,
Kurunji naadhan paadhamae nambhi vaazhumLiving with total devotion at the holy feet of the Lord of Kurunji,
Malai naattu kuravar naangaWe are the Kuravas of the mountain country!
Villai kattum kuravar naangaWe are the Kuravas who wield the bow!
Pen vettaiyaada varum kaattu poochigalaiWild insects who come to hunt down women,
Virattum jaadhi thaangaWe belong to the community that chases them away!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This folk-inspired song from Srivalli (1961) celebrates the proud identity, martial valor, and unyielding honor of the mountain-dwelling Kurava tribe. Sung by the female lead along with a women's chorus, the lyrics warn predatory men against disrespecting women, declaring that no bribe of gold or threat of force can compromise their dignity.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Kavari maan pola valarndha jaathinga

Compares the pride and dignity of the clan to the 'Kavari deer', a classical Tamil literary trope representing extreme self-respect.

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Pen vettaiyaada varum kaattu poochigalai

Metaphorically compares predatory men who try to exploit women to 'wild insects' (kaattu poochigalai).

Rhyme and Assonance (Emonai / Edhugai)

Kannai kattuna kannathil koduppom / Kaiyai neetuna kanaigalai thoduppom

Uses parallel structural rhyming across line starts ('Kannai kattuna' / 'Kaiyai neetuna') to create a rhythmic folk tempo.

Did you know?

Trivia

Srivalli (1961) was a popular mythological movie starring Sivaji Ganesan and Padmini. The film's soundtrack was composed by G. Ramanathan, who masterfully blended classical Carnatic scales with authentic Tamil folk beats for tribal dance sequences.

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