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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Malarukku Thendral

From Enga Veettu Pillai · 1965

Lyricist
Aalangudi Somu
Singers
L. R. Eswari, P. Susheela
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Details
Enga Veettu Pillai1965

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Vaanagamae vaiyagamaeO sky! O earth!
Valarnthu varum thaai inamae…ae…O growing community of mothers!
Aan ulaga medaiyilaeOn the stage of a male-dominated world,
Aasai nadai podaathaeDo not walk with naive desire,
Aasai nadai podaathaeDo not walk with naive desire.
Female
Malarukku thendral pagaiyaanaalIf the gentle breeze becomes an enemy to the flower,
Adhu malarndhida kadhiravan thunaiyunduThe sun is still there to help it bloom.
Malarukku thendral pagaiyaanaalIf the gentle breeze becomes an enemy to the flower,
Adhu malarndhida kadhiravan thunaiyunduThe sun is still there to help it bloom.
Nilavukku vaanam pagaiyaanaalIf the sky turns against the moon,
Adhu nadandhida verae vazhi yedhuWhat other path is left for it to journey across?
Malarukku thendral pagaiyaanaalIf the gentle breeze becomes an enemy to the flower,
Adhu malarndhida kadhiravan thunaiyunduThe sun is still there to help it bloom.
Female
Paravaikku siragu pagaiyaanaalIf wings become an enemy to a bird,
Adhu padhungi vaazhndhida kaalgalunduIt still has legs to hide and survive.
Uravukku nenjae pagaiyanaalIf the heart turns against relationship,
Mannil uyir inam perugida vagaiyedhuHow can living beings flourish on this earth?
Nilavukku vaanam pagaiyaanalIf the sky turns against the moon,
Adhu nadandhida verae vazhi yedhuWhat other path is left for it to journey across?
Female
Malarukku thendral pagaiyaanaalIf the gentle breeze becomes an enemy to the flower,
Adhu malarndhida kadhiravan thunaiyunduThe sun is still there to help it bloom.
Female
Padagukku thudupu pagaiyaanaalIf the oar becomes an enemy to the boat,
Angu paai marathaalae udhaviyunduThere is support from the sail.
Kadalukku neeru pagaiyaanaalIf water turns against the ocean,
Angu kadhai sollum alaigalukku idamaedhuWhere is the place for waves that tell stories?
Female
Malarukku thendral pagaiyaanaalIf the gentle breeze becomes an enemy to the flower,
Adhu malarndhida kadhiravan thunaiyunduThe sun is still there to help it bloom.
Female
Kannukku paarvai pagaiyaanaalIf vision becomes an enemy to the eye,
Adhai karuthaal unarndhida vazhiyunduThere is a way to perceive it through deep thought.
Female
Pennuku thunaivan pagaiyaanaalIf her companion turns against a woman,
Andha paedhaiyin vaazhvil oliyedhuWhere is the light in that simple woman's life?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic song uses vivid natural metaphors to contemplate resilience, relationships, and the vulnerable position of women in society. The lyrics illustrate that for almost every adversity in nature, there is an alternative support system: if the gentle breeze fails a flower, the sun helps it bloom; if wings fail a bird, its legs help it run; if oars fail a boat, the sail guides it forward.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)

Padagukku thudupu pagaiyaanaal / Kadalukku neeru pagaiyaanaal

Matching second consonants across lines such as 'Padagukku' and 'Kadalukku', or 'Kannukku' and 'Pennuku'.

Analogy / Metaphor (Uwamai)

Malarukku thendral pagaiyaanaal / Adhu malarndhida kadhiravan thunaiyundu

Drawing parallels between natural pairs (flower-breeze, bird-wings, ocean-water) and human relationships to illustrate reliance and vulnerability.

Rhetorical Question (Vinaa Ani)

Pennuku thunaivan pagaiyaanaal / Andha paedhaiyin vaazhvil oliyedhu

Using questions to emphasize the hopelessness of a woman abandoned by her partner or a heart devoid of emotion.

Did you know?

Trivia

From the 1965 MGR blockbuster film 'Enga Veettu Pillai', this track was composed by the legendary Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy duo with lyrics by Aalangudi Somu. The duet was rendered by P. Susheela and L.R. Eswari, picturized on B. Saroja Devi and Rathna.

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