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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Manidha Vaazhvile

From Ratha Kanneer · 1954

Lyricist
Udumalai Narayanakavi
Singer
A. P. Komala
Music director
C. S. Jayaraman
Details
Ratha Kanneer1954

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Manitha vaazhvilae manamathu polaeIn human life, as the heart desires
Vaalipanthannil naamellorumIn our youth, all of us
Anupaviththathae inbam aagumWhat we experience and enjoy is bliss
Anupaviththathae inbam aagumWhat we experience and enjoy is bliss
Chorus
Manitha vaazhvilae manamathu polaeIn human life, as the heart desires
Vaalipanthannil naamellorumIn our youth, all of us
Anupaviththathae inbam aagumWhat we experience and enjoy is bliss
Anupaviththathae inbam aagumWhat we experience and enjoy is bliss
Female
Iniya pogangal yaavuma nithyamAre all sweet worldly pleasures eternal?
Irantha pinnaal yaerpadum nithyam..aa…aa…aa…Is the eternity after death real? Ah... ah... ah...
Female
Iniya pogangal yaavuma nithyamAre all sweet worldly pleasures eternal?
Irantha pinnaal yaerpadum nithyam..Is the eternity after death real?
Endrae sollum yogiyai veruppomWe shall despise the yogi who speaks of such things
Inbang kaanum bogiyai mathippomWe shall honor the hedonist who experiences joy
Chorus
Endrae sollum yogiyai veruppomWe shall despise the yogi who speaks of such things
Inbang kaanum bogiyai mathippomWe shall honor the hedonist who experiences joy
Female
Ezhil kol maatharum pazhantharunj saarumBeautiful women and rich fruit juices
Ichai kondidum inbangalandroAre these not the joys that awaken desire?
Idhanilum inbam verondrundoIs there any greater joy than this?
Idhanilum inbam verondrundoIs there any greater joy than this?
Female
Nalla geedha thozhilunar paanarMusicians well-versed in the craft of fine songs
Nadanam valla nagai muga maatharSmiling women skilled in the art of dance
Nalla geedha thozhilunar paanarMusicians well-versed in the craft of fine songs
Nadanam valla nagai muga maatharSmiling women skilled in the art of dance
Female
Allal poga ivarudan koodiTo dispel all sorrow, joining together with them
Aadiyaadi kaliththinpanh kolvomWe shall dance, rejoice, and partake in happiness
Chorus
Solla naavu kaniyuthadaaOh, my tongue turns sweet just describing it!
Nar suthiyil ottru thunaiyodum paadiSinging in perfect pitch alongside drone accompaniment
Solla naavu kaniyuthadaaOh, my tongue turns sweet just describing it!
Nar suthiyil ottru thunaiyodum paadiSinging in perfect pitch alongside drone accompaniment
Female
Pullum maarpodaadi kuthikkumLeaping and dancing with heart-to-heart embraces
Pogam poloru pogamingundoIs there any pleasure equal to such indulgence?
Chorus
Manitha vaazhvilae manamathu polaeIn human life, as the heart desires
Vaalipanthannil naamellorumIn our youth, all of us
Anupaviththathae inbam aagumWhat we experience and enjoy is bliss
Anupaviththathae inbam aagumWhat we experience and enjoy is bliss
Female
…………………...
Female
Maatharodu mayangi kaliththumReveling and swooning in the company of women
Madura nallisai paadi kuthiththumSinging sweet music and dancing joyously
Kadhal seithum kadhal seithumMaking love, making love
Perum pala inbamAbundant and grand pleasures
Kalaiyil inbam kalaigalil inbamPleasure in fine art, pleasure in all arts
Chorus
Aa….aa…aa…aa…Ah... ah... ah... ah...
Chorus
Maatharodu mayangi kaliththumReveling and swooning in the company of women
Madura nallisai paadi kuthiththumSinging sweet music and dancing joyously
Kadhal seithum kadhal seithumMaking love, making love
Perum pala inbamAbundant and grand pleasures
Kalaiyil inbam kalaigalil inbamPleasure in fine art, pleasure in all arts
Female
Boodhalaththinai aalvathil inbamThe bliss of ruling over the earth
Poimaiyalla poimaiyallaThey are not an illusion, not an illusion
Ivvinbangal ellaamAll these earthly pleasures
Poimaiyalla poimaiyallaThey are not an illusion, not an illusion
Ivvinbangal ellaamAll these earthly pleasures
Chorus
Maatharodu mayangi kaliththumReveling and swooning in the company of women
Madura nallisai paadi kuthiththumSinging sweet music and dancing joyously
Kadhal seithum kadhal seithumMaking love, making love
Perum pala inbamAbundant and grand pleasures
Kalaiyil inbam kalaigalil inbamPleasure in fine art, pleasure in all arts

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from the film 'Ratha Kanneer' (1954) expresses a purely hedonistic, Carvaka-inspired philosophy of life. It extols the virtues of enjoying sensory pleasures during one's youth—such as music, dance, love, wine, and art—and openly rejects spiritual asceticism. The lyricist argues that afterlife promises are meaningless and that real bliss lies in immediate earthly experiences.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Adukku Thodar (Repetition for Emphasis)

Kadhal seithum kadhal seithum

Words like 'Kadhal seithum kadhal seithum' and 'Poimaiyalla poimaiyalla' are repeated consecutively to emphasize intensity and passion.

Antithesis / Contrast (Eranai)

Endrae sollum yogiyai veruppom / Inbang kaanum bogiyai mathippom

Contrasting the ascetic yogi ('yogiyai veruppom') with the pleasure-seeking hedonist ('bogiyai mathippom') to underline the philosophical stance.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Maatharodu mayangi kaliththum / Madura nallisai paadi kuthiththum

Matching initial consonants in words across lines, such as 'Maatharodu' and 'Madura'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by Udumalai Narayanakavi, a prominent rationalist lyricist associated with the Dravidian movement, this song highlights the protagonist Mohan's (M. R. Radha) unabashedly westernized and hedonistic viewpoint in the iconic play-turned-film 'Ratha Kanneer'.

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