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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Manithanum Inge

From Thanga Durai · 1972

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Thanga Durai1972

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Manidhanum ingae thannai marandhaanMan forgot himself here
Thavarugal seidhae kannae izhandhaanBy committing errors, he lost his vision
Manidhanum ingae thannai marandhaanMan forgot himself here
Thavarugal seidhae kannae izhandhaanBy committing errors, he lost his vision
Anbae deivam endraalIf one says love is God
Adhai yaarum nambavillaiNobody believed it
Anbae deivam endraalIf one says love is God
Adhai yaarum nambavillaiNobody believed it
Male
Uyirgal ellaam arivin munnaeBefore true wisdom, all living beings
Endrum samamaagumAre always equal
Mirugangal thaana baliyaagumAre animals the only ones sacrificed?
Idhil arivum baliyaagumIn this, wisdom itself is sacrificed
Uyirgal ellaam arivin munnaeBefore true wisdom, all living beings
Endrum samamaagumAre always equal
Mirugangal thaana baliyaagumAre animals the only ones sacrificed?
Idhil arivum baliyaagumIn this, wisdom itself is sacrificed
Male
Kodumai kandum nirkkumStanding idly while witnessing cruelty
Deivam nyaayam enna sollumWhat justice will God declare?
Deivam nyaayam enna sollumWhat justice will God declare?
Manidhanum ingae thannai marandhaanMan forgot himself here
Thavarugal seidhae kannae izhandhaanBy committing errors, he lost his vision
Male
Mazhaiyillaamal vaadiya payirgalCrops withered without rain
Mazhaiyai edhirpaarkkumAwait the rain
Varumaiyinaalae yengiya uyirgalSouls longing in extreme poverty
Karunaiyai edhirppaarkkumAwait compassion
Male
Noigalinaalae varundhiya maeniBodies suffering from illnesses
Marundhai edhirpaarkkumAwait medicine
Vaai illaadha jeevangalellaamAll the voiceless creatures
Karunaiyai edhirppaarkkumAwait compassion
Male
Vaadum ezhai ullam nallaThe wilting heart of the poor
Thalaivanai edhirpparkkumAwaits a good leader
Anbae deivam endraalIf one says love is God
Adhai yaarum nambavillaiNobody believed it
Anbae deivam endraalIf one says love is God
Adhai yaarum nambavillaiNobody believed it
Manidhanum ingae thannai marandhaanMan forgot himself here
Thavarugal seidhae kannae izhandhaanBy committing errors, he lost his vision
Male
Muthan kaadan muniyan maariMuthan, Kaadan, Muniyan, Maari
Ellaam deivamadaaAll are called gods, my friend
Moolaikku moolai kaanbavai ellaamWhatever is seen in every nook and corner
Deivathin koyiladaaIs a temple of God, my friend
Male
Bakthan ennum peyarinai soodiWearing the badge of being a devotee
Ethanai manidhanadaaHow many men exist, my friend!
Paava punniym pesipesiTalking endlessly about sin and virtue
Parndhadhu kaalamadaTime has flown away, my friend
Undu deivam endru sollaTo say that God exists
Manamae illaiyadaMy heart is unwilling, my friend
Male
Manidhanum ingae thannai marandhaanMan forgot himself here
Thavarugal seidhae kannae izhandhaanBy committing errors, he lost his vision
Anbae deivam endraalIf one says love is God
Adhai yaarum nambavillaiNobody believed it
Anbae deivam endraalIf one says love is God
Adhai yaarum nambavillaiNobody believed it

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant philosophical song from Thanga Durai (1972) explores themes of moral decay, superficial religiousness, and human indifference. Lyricist Kannadasan laments how humanity has abandoned wisdom and genuine compassion, choosing instead to focus on empty rituals, superstition, and deity worship without embodying the divine nature of love.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Refrain / Anaphora

Anbae deivam endraal / Adhai yaarum nambavillai

The line 'Anbae deivam endraal adhai yaarum nambavillai' is repeated strategically to highlight the central tragic theme of mankind refusing to see love as true divinity.

Rhetorical Question

Kodumai kandum nirkkum / Deivam nyaayam enna sollum

The lyricist poses a poignant question about divine justice, challenging blind faith when atrocities occur unaddressed.

Parallelism / Anaphora

Mazhaiyillaamal vaadiya payirgal / Mazhaiyai edhirpaarkkum

Consecutive couplets follow a strict rhythmic structure ending with 'edhirpaarkkum', accentuating the inherent longings of different suffering beings.

Did you know?

Trivia

Thanga Durai (1972) starred Sivaji Ganesan and K. R. Vijaya. Sung powerfully by T. M. Soundararajan, this track highlights Kannadasan's signature rationalist yet spiritual philosophy, questioning hollow rituals while elevating universal love.

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