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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Margazhithan

From Thalapathi · 1991

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Swarnalatha, Chorus
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Thalapathi1991

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
Maargazhi dhaan odi pochuThe month of Margazhi has passed away
Bhoghiyaachu …hooo hoiIt has become Bhoghi now... hooo hoi
Naalaikku thaan thai porakkumTomorrow the month of Thai will be born
Thedhiyaachu… hoo…hoiThe date has arrived... hoo... hoi
Chorus
Bhoghi idhu bhoghi idhuThis is Bhoghi, this is Bhoghi
Nandhalaala …hooo..hoiOh Nandhalaala... hooo.. hoi
Ponga vaippom naalaikku thaanWe will cook Pongal tomorrow
Nandhalala …hooo..hoi..Oh Nandhalaala... hooo.. hoi..
Chorus
Veettula nethu varaInside the house, until yesterday
Koottina kuppaigala pottuPutting together all the gathered trash
Moottaiya katti vechuTie it up into a bundle
Moolaiyil theeya vechu moottuSet fire to it in the corner and light it up
Chorus
Pogattum theemai ellamLet all evil depart
Serattum nanmai ellam saamiLet all goodness accumulate, oh God
Pongal o pongalunnuShouting Pongalo Pongal
Paadattum paatteduthu bhoomiLet the Earth take up a song and sing
Chorus
{Thana naa thananana{Thana naa thananana
Thana naa naaa hoo hoi..}(3)Thana naa naaa hoo hoi..}(3)
{Thana naa thana nana{Thana naa thana nana
Thana naa thana nana hoo hoi…} (3)Thana naa thana nana hoo hoi…} (3)
Chorus
Maargazhi dhaan odi pochuThe month of Margazhi has passed away
Bhoghiyaachu …hooo hoiIt has become Bhoghi now... hooo hoi
Naalaikku thaan thai porakkumTomorrow the month of Thai will be born
Thedhiyaachu… hoo…hoiThe date has arrived... hoo... hoi
Chorus
Bhoghi idhu bhoghi idhuThis is Bhoghi, this is Bhoghi
Nandhalaala …hooo..hoiOh Nandhalaala... hooo.. hoi
Ponga vaippom naalaikku thaanWe will cook Pongal tomorrow
Nandhalala …hooo..hoi..Oh Nandhalaala... hooo.. hoi..

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This festive track celebrates Bhoghi, the eve of the Tamil harvest festival Pongal. It marks the transition from the month of Margazhi to Thai, symbolic of new beginnings and prosperity. The lyrics depict the traditional ritual of discarding old household waste into a bonfire, which metaphorically signifies burning away negativity and welcoming auspiciousness into one's life. The Earth itself is invited to join in the joyous singing and celebrations of the upcoming harvest festival.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Pogattum theemai ellam / Serattum nanmai ellam saami

Burning old household waste symbolizes burning away evil, negativity, and past troubles to make room for positive beginnings.

Antithesis

Pogattum theemai ellam / Serattum nanmai ellam saami

Contrast between evil leaving ('Pogattum theemai') and goodness accumulating ('Serattum nanmai').

Personification

Paadattum paatteduthu bhoomi

The Earth ('bhoomi') is personified as an entity taking up a tune and singing along with the people celebrating.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although the prompt mentions music and singers as unknown, this iconic song from 'Thalapathi' (1991) was composed by Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics by Vaali, and sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and K. S. Chithra. The film was directed by Mani Ratnam.

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