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Isaimozhi
Arangetram album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Moothaval Nee Koduthai

From Arangetram · 1973

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
V. Kumar
Movie name
Arangetram
Movie release year
1973
Lyrics added on
9 Aug 2022

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Moothaval nee koduthaai vaazhvilae munnaetram
Munnaerum vazhiyil indru ilaiyaval arangaettram
Thamizhae….
Moothaval nee koduthaai vaazhvilae munnaetram
Munnaerum vazhiyil indru ilaiyaval arangaettram
Megathaal mazhai pozhiyum megathukku laabamenna
Megathaal mazhai pozhiyum megathukku laabamenna
Thiyagathaal emai valartha deivam kanda laabamenna
Moothaval nee….
Thannaiyae theithu tharum sandhanam undhan ullam
Mannilae oruvar illai mangai unakkeedu solla
Thannaiyae theithu tharum sandhanam undhan ullam
Mannilae oruvar illai mangai unakkeedu solla
Ennavoo nee kidaithaai ellorkkum vaazhvu thara
Moothaval nee…………..
Aanaaga piranthirunthaal raajangam unadhu kaiyil
Aanaaga piranthirunthaal raajangam
unadhu kaiyil
Pennaaga pirandhu vittaai naangal thaan un madiyil
Than maanam kaappaval nee sanmaanam yaar tharuvaar
Moothaval nee koduthaai vaazhvilae …. arangaettram
Moothaval nee……
Kalyaana sugamumillai kadamaikku mudivum illai
Ethanai iravu kandaai enna nee uravu kandaai
Kalyaana sugamumillai kadamaikku mudivum illai
Ethanai iravu kandaai enna nee uravu kandaai
Kann moodum velaiyilum emmai thaaan kanavu kandaai
Moothaval nee koduthaai vaazhvilae munnaetram
Munnaerum vazhiyil indru ilaiyaval arangaettram
Ilaiyaval arangaettram
As the eldest sister, you brought progress to our lives
On this path forward, today is your younger sister's debut
Oh Tamil...
As the eldest sister, you brought progress to our lives
On this path forward, today is your younger sister's debut
The clouds pour down rain, but what do they gain in return?
The clouds pour down rain, but what do they gain in return?
You raised us through sacrifice like a goddess, but what did you ever gain?
As the eldest sister, you...
Your heart is like sandalwood that wears itself down to give fragrance
There is no one on this earth who can equal you
Your heart is like sandalwood that wears itself down to give fragrance
There is no one on this earth who can equal you
By some blessing, you came to give us all a life
As the eldest sister, you...
If you had been born a man, a kingdom would be in your hands
If you had been born a man, a kingdom...
...would be in your hands
But you were born a woman, and we are cradled in your lap
You protect our family's dignity, but who will ever reward you?
As the eldest sister, you brought progress to our lives... a debut
As the eldest sister, you...
You have no joy of marriage, nor is there an end to your duty
How many sleepless nights did you face, and what love did you ever receive?
You have no joy of marriage, nor is there an end to your duty
How many sleepless nights did you face, and what love did you ever receive?
Even when closing your eyes to sleep, you only dreamt of us
As the eldest sister, you brought progress to our lives
On this path forward, today is your younger sister's debut
Your younger sister's debut
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
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Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This poignant song from K. Balachander's classic film 'Arangetram' serves as a tribute to the selfless sacrifice of an eldest sister (played by Pramila) who shoulders the entire burden of supporting her impoverished family. Lyricist Kannadasan compares her noble acts to rain-bearing clouds that expect no return and sandalwood that grinds itself away to spread sweet fragrance. While her sacrifices enable her younger sister's stage debut (Arangetram) and uplift the family, she herself remains deprived of marriage, peace, and societal reward.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai)

“Thannaiyae theithu tharum sandhanam undhan ullam”

Compares the sister's self-sacrificing heart to sandalwood ('sandhanam') that wears itself down to give fragrance to others.

Analogy / Nature Metaphor

“Megathaal mazhai pozhiyum megathukku laabamenna”

Compares her selfless upbringing of the family to rain clouds that give life-sustaining rain without expecting any personal gain.

Second-letter Rhyme (Edukai)

“Thannaiyae theithu tharum sandhanam undhan ullam / Mannilae oruvar illai mangai unakkeedu solla”

The second consonant 'nn' matches across lines ('Thannaiyae' and 'Mannilae'), creating poetic symmetry.

Rhetorical Question

“Than maanam kaappaval nee sanmaanam yaar tharuvaar”

Asks who will reward her for protecting the family's honor, emphasizing the tragic lack of recognition for her immense sacrifice.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Arangetram' (1973), directed by K. Balachander, was a groundbreaking movie tackling financial destitution and forced prostitution within a traditional family structure. This song highlights the central theme: while the family celebrates the younger sister's debut in dance, it comes at the tragic expense of the eldest sister's virtue and personal life.

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