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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Mazhalai Endrum

From Sethupathi IPS · 1994

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
K. S. Chithra
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Sethupathi IPS1994

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Mazhalai endrum maaraadha kiligalParrots whose baby-like innocence never changes,
Kavalai endrum kaanaadha kuyilgalCuckoos that have never known sorrow,
Mm… paadungaMmm... keep singing,
Chorus
Mazhalai endrum maaraadha kiligalParrots whose baby-like innocence never changes,
Kavalai endrum kaanaadha kuyilgalCuckoos that have never known sorrow,
Female
Kannil nooru vagai kanaakkalA hundred kinds of dreams in their eyes,
Niththam yendhi varum nilaakkalMoons that arrive carrying them every day,
Naam ellaam or inamWe are all one race,
Endha naalilum or kulamOn any given day, one community,
Or nool konda poo charamA garland of flowers bound by a single thread,
Kattungal kattungal vetri maalaigalTie, tie the victory garlands!
Kottungal kottungal kottu melangalBeat, beat the rhythm drums!
Chorus
Kattungal kattungal vetri maalaigalTie, tie the victory garlands!
Kottungal kottungal kottu melangalBeat, beat the rhythm drums!
Female
Naam thaanae siru kattukkalae illaaWe ourselves are skylarks without small restraints,
Vaanampaadi… pala gaanam paadiSinging many songs as skylarks...
Chorus :Naadengum anaikkattukkullae nillaaChorus: Not stopping within any dam across the land,
Maaya gangai aagaaya gangaiMagical Ganges, heavenly Ganges!
Female
Mannum sevvaanamumThe earth and the red evening sky,
Chorus :SevvaanamumChorus: The red evening sky,
Female :Engal poonthottam aagumFemale: Will become our flower garden,
Engum nillaamalaeWithout stopping anywhere,
Chorus :NillaamalaeChorus: Without stopping,
Female :Engal thaerottam pogumFemale: Our chariot procession will advance,
Kattungal kattungal vetri maalaigalTie, tie the victory garlands!
Kottungal kottungal kottu melangalBeat, beat the rhythm drums!
Chorus
Kattungal kattungal vetri maalaigalTie, tie the victory garlands!
Kottungal kottungal kottu melangalBeat, beat the rhythm drums!
Female
Koodaadhu pala jaadhi chattangalaeRules of various castes must not remain,
Neeyum ondru naanum ondruYou are one, and I am one,
Chorus :Koorungal ina vambu chandhangalaeChorus: Speak out against communal conflict,
Indrum endrum inbam inbamToday and forever, joy and bliss!
Female
Dhargaa dhevaalayamDargah and church,
Chorus :DhevaalayamChorus: Church,
Female :Ellaam naam pogum koyilFemale: Are all temples where we go,
Geethai vedhaagamamGita and Scriptures,
Chorus :VedhaagamamChorus: Scriptures,
Female :Ellaam naam paadum paadalFemale: Are all songs that we sing,
Kattungal kattungal vetri maalaigalTie, tie the victory garlands!
Kottungal kottungal kottu melangalBeat, beat the rhythm drums!
Chorus
Kattungal kattungal vetri maalaigalTie, tie the victory garlands!
Kottungal kottungal kottu melangalBeat, beat the rhythm drums!
Female
Mazhalai endrum maaraadha kiligalParrots whose baby-like innocence never changes,
Kavalai endrum kaanaadha kuyilgalCuckoos that have never known sorrow,
Female
Kannil nooru vagai kanaakkalA hundred kinds of dreams in their eyes,
Niththam yendhi varum nilaakkalMoons that arrive carrying them every day,
Naam ellaam or inamWe are all one race,
Endha naalilum or kulamOn any given day, one community,
Or nool konda poo charamA garland of flowers bound by a single thread,
Kattungal kattungal vetri maalaigalTie, tie the victory garlands!
Kottungal kottungal kottu melangalBeat, beat the rhythm drums!
Chorus
Kattungal kattungal vetri maalaigalTie, tie the victory garlands!
Kottungal kottungal kottu melangalBeat, beat the rhythm drums!
Chorus
………………………………....
Female & Chorus :Female & Chorus:
{Mazhalai endrum maaraadha kiligal{Parrots whose baby-like innocence never changes,
Kavalai endrum kaanaadha kuyilgal} (2)Cuckoos that have never known sorrow} (2)

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Mazhalai endrum maaraadha kiligal is an uplifting and celebratory song that champions secularism, unity, and universal brotherhood through the innocence of children. Comparing young minds to carefree parrots, songbirds, and moons carrying dreams, the song emphasizes that despite surface-level differences, humanity is unified like distinct blossoms threaded onto a single garland.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Mazhalai endrum maaraadha kiligal / Kavalai endrum kaanaadha kuyilgal

Children are metaphorically compared to innocent parrots ('kiligal') and cuckoos ('kuyilgal') that know no sorrow.

Analogy

Or nool konda poo charam

Humanity's diversity bound in unity is compared to different flowers held together by a single thread in a garland.

Anaphora / Repetition (Ettugai / Rhythm)

Kattungal kattungal vetri maalaigal / Kottungal kottungal kottu melangal

Repetition of action verbs 'Kattungal' (tie) and 'Kottungal' (beat) creates a rhythmic, festive tone.

Visual Imagery

Kannil nooru vagai kanaakkal / Niththam yendhi varum nilaakkal

Visual imagery depicting eyes holding a hundred dreams, likened to moons rising daily.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by Vaali for Sethupathi IPS (1994) starring Vijayakanth, this track stands out as a classic anthem for national integration and equality in Tamil film music.

Keep listening

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