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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
Movie name
Srivalli
Movie release year
1961
Lyrics added on
11 Jan 2025

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kannai kattuna kannathil koduppom
Kaiyai neetuna kanaigalai thoduppom
Female Chorus :Kannai kattuna kannathil koduppom
Kaiyai neetuna kanaigalai thoduppom
Female :Ponnae kaattuna podariyil koduppom
Ponnae kaattuna podariyil koduppom
Female Chorus :Unmaikkagavae uyir kodukkum
Malai naattu kuravar naanga
Villai kattum kuravar naanga
Pen vettaiyaada varum kaattu poochigalai
Virattum jaadhi thaanga
Karppai kakkavae thunindha jaathinga
Kavari maan pola valarndha jaathinga
Arpamaagavae nenachudathingha
Arpamaagavae nenachudathingha
Female Chorus :Azhagai paathavudan asandhidadha
Malai naattu kuravar naanga
Villai kattum kuravar naanga
Pen vettaiyaada varum kaattu poochigalai
Virattum jaadhi thaanga
Namma vedar kulam thazhaikka venum
Namma naadu kaadugalum sezhikka venum
Hoo ooo ooo ooo
Namma vedar kulam thazhaikka venum
Namma naadu kaadugalum sezhikka venum
Female and Chorus :Engal nambhiraajan pugazh oongavae
Kurunji naadhan paadhamae nambhi vaazhum
Malai naattu kuravar naanga
Villai kattum kuravar naanga
Pen vettaiyaada varum kaattu poochigalai
Virattum jaadhi thaanga
If you try to fool us, we will slap your cheek,
If you reach out your hand, we will shoot our arrows!
If you try to fool us, we will slap your cheek,
If you reach out your hand, we will shoot our arrows!
If you try to tempt us with gold, we will strike the back of your head!
If you try to tempt us with gold, we will strike the back of your head!
Ready to give our lives for the sake of truth,
We are the Kuravar people of the hill country,
We are the bow-wielding Kuravar clan,
The wild pests who come to prey on women,
We are the clan that chases them away!
A clan brave enough to guard our honor,
A clan raised with proud self-respect, like the yak,
Never think of us as lowly,
Never think of us as lowly,
Never swept away just by looking at beauty,
We are the Kuravar people of the hill country,
We are the bow-wielding Kuravar clan,
The wild pests who come to prey on women,
We are the clan that chases them away!
May our hunter clan flourish,
May our land and forests prosper,
Hoo ooo ooo ooo
May our hunter clan flourish,
May our land and forests prosper,
May the glory of our King Nambirajan rise high,
Living with faith at the feet of Lord Murugan (Lord of the Kurinji hills),
We are the Kuravar people of the hill country,
We are the bow-wielding Kuravar clan,
The wild pests who come to prey on women,
We are the clan that chases them away!
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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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