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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Muthu Pugazh Padaithu

From Sivagangai Seemai · 1959

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
S. Varalakshmi, Radha Jayalakshmi
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Details
Sivagangai Seemai1959

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Malaiyil pirandhuBorn on the mountains,
Thennan madiyil kidandhadhuIt lay in the lap of the Southern King (Pandya),
Sanga thunaiyil valarndha tamil rathinamaeO precious gem of Tamil that grew with the support of the Sangam!
Malaiyil pirandhuBorn on the mountains,
Thennan madiyil kidandhadhuIt lay in the lap of the Southern King,
Sanga thunaiyil valarndha tamil rathinamaeO precious gem of Tamil that grew with the support of the Sangam!
Female
Pulavar sabai pugunthuEntering the assembly of poets,
Pudhumai kavigal kanduWitnessing innovative poems,
Polindhadhum thenpaandi mandalamaeThe Southern Pandya region blossomed and flourished!
Pulavar sabai pugunthuEntering the assembly of poets,
Pudhumai kavigal kanduWitnessing innovative poems,
Polindhadhum thenpaandi mandalamaeThe Southern Pandya region blossomed and flourished!
Female
Noorupadai kooru padaSplitting a hundred armies into pieces,
Veeru kodu maandharPeople endowed with immense valor,
Arasu nilai maarupaduChanging the status and fate of kingdoms,
Chaerarai vadhaitha mara vendharThe warrior kings who defeated the Cheras,
Female
Kaadu keda vengaiyaiDestructive tigers of the forest,
Medhiththa ilamaandharWere crushed by the brave young men,
Iniya tamil naadu valam naadaSo that the sweet Tamil land may seek prosperity,
Nidham paadupadum veerarThe brave heroes who toil every day,
Female
…………………………………….....
Then paandi mandalamaeO Southern Pandya region!
Female
………………………………………...
Then paandi mandalamaeO Southern Pandya region!
Female
……………………………....
Female
………………………………....

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a glorious tribute to the rich heritage of the Tamil language and the historical valor of the Pandya kingdom (Thenpaandi Mandalam). Tamil is personified as a child born in the Podhigai mountains, raised affectionately in the lap of Pandya monarchs, and nurtured to poetic perfection through the Tamil Sangam academies. The lyrics celebrate the poetic brilliance fostered in royal assemblies and the flourishing cultural climate of the region. Furthermore, the verse honors the courageous warriors of the Tamil land who fought relentlessly to defend their nation, subjugate rival dynasties, conquer wild threats, and secure prosperity for Tamil Nadu.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Personification (Uruvagam)

Malaiyil pirandhu Thennan madiyil kidandhadhu

Tamil is personified as a child born on the mountains, resting on a king's lap, and raised by the Sangam academy.

Metaphor (Rupaka)

Sanga thunaiyil valarndha tamil rathinamae

The Tamil language is metaphorically praised as a precious jewel ('Rathinam').

Moonaiz / Initial Alliteration

Pulavar sabai pugunthu / Pudhumai kavigal kandu / Polindhadhum thenpaandi mandalamae

Repetition of the 'P' sound at the start of consecutive lines creates a rhythmic, melodic effect.

Emonai / Rhyming & Rhythm

Noorupadai kooru pada / Veeru kodu maandhar

Internal and line-ending meter characteristic of classical Tamil poetry (Aruseer Viruththam style).

Did you know?

Trivia

Sivagangai Seemai (1959) was written and produced by the legendary lyricist Kannadasan himself. It was conceived as a historical epic based on the Maruthu Pandiyar brothers of Sivagangai, competing directly with the contemporary release of Veerapandiya Kattabomman. The soundtrack was composed by the duo Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy and features rich Tamil classical poetry.

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