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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nalla Pillai Endru Solli

From Arumai Magal Abirami · 1959

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
R. Balasaraswathi Devi
Music director
V. Dakshinamurthy
Details
Arumai Magal Abirami1959

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
……………….....
Female
Nalla pillai endru solliCalling you a good child,
Unnai intha naadellaamthe whole country
Pugazha venum kannae ennaalummust praise you forever, my dear.
Chorus
Nalla pillai endru solliCalling you a good child,
Unnai intha naadellaamthe whole country
Pugazha venum kannae ennaalummust praise you forever, my dear.
Female
Pallikoodam naalthorum sendruBy attending school every day,
Paadam padikka vendum muraiyoduyou must learn your lessons systematically,
Potti pottu konducompeting healthy with others.
Female
Pallikoodam naalthorum sendruBy attending school every day,
Paadam padikka vendum muraiyoduyou must learn your lessons systematically,
Potti pottu konducompeting healthy with others.
Female
Nalla pillai endru solliCalling you a good child,
Unnai intha naadellaamthe whole country
Pugazha venum kannae ennaalummust praise you forever, my dear.
Chorus
……………….....
Female
Kalvi pola selvamum yaedhuWhat wealth can compare to education?
Iru kannai pola ennezhuththai nee karuthuTreat numbers and letters as your two eyes.
Chorus :Iru kannai pola ennezhuththai nee karuthuChorus: Treat numbers and letters as your two eyes.
Female
Valluvanaar kuralamuthai paaruLook at the sweet nectar of Valluvar's Tirukkural,
Avvai sol pola nadanthae munnaeruwalk according to Avvaiyar's words and progress ahead.
Chorus :Valluvanaar kuralamuthai paaruChorus: Look at the sweet nectar of Valluvar's Tirukkural,
Avvai sol pola nadanthae munnaeruwalk according to Avvaiyar's words and progress ahead.
Female
Mariyaathai maaraatha naanamPossess modesty that never compromises respect,
Kavarimaanai pola venumadi thanmaanamyou must have self-respect like that of the kavarimaan (wild yak).
Chorus :Kavarimaanai pola venumadi thanmaanamChorus: You must have self-respect like that of the kavarimaan (wild yak).
Female
Kuraivindri seiyya vendum thaanamYou must perform acts of charity without any flaw,
Penn kulaperumai unnaalae vilangida vendumand the honor of womanhood must shine through you.
Female
Nalla pillai endru solliCalling you a good child,
Unnai intha naadellaamthe whole country
Pugazha venum kannae ennaalummust praise you forever, my dear.
Chorus
…………………...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is an uplifting and moral advice-filled lullaby/instructional song sung by a mother to her young daughter in the film 'Arumai Magal Abirami' (1959). The mother hopes that her daughter will grow up to be so virtuous and accomplished that the entire nation praises her. She encourages her to attend school daily, study diligently, and participate in healthy competition. She stresses that education is the greatest wealth one can possess and urges her to regard literacy (numbers and letters) as essential as her two eyes. The lyricist A. Maruthakasi weaves deep cultural values into the lyrics, advising the daughter to read Valluvar's Thirukkural, follow the ethical guidelines of Avvaiyar, maintain modesty, uphold unyielding self-respect like the legendary Kavarimaan (which prefers to give up its life rather than lose its honor), give charity generously, and bring pride to womanhood.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Iru kannai pola ennezhuththai nee karuthu

Compares numbers and letters (literacy) to two eyes, highlighting their indispensability in life.

Cultural Allusion & Simile

Kavarimaanai pola venumadi thanmaanam

Compares self-respect to the 'Kavarimaan' (a creature in classical Tamil literature known for its absolute dignity and self-esteem).

Eybhu / Rhyme (Iyaibu)

Mariyaathai maaraatha naanam / Kavarimaanai pola venumadi thanmaanam / Kuraivindri seiyya vendum thaanam

Rhyming end-words 'naanam', 'thanmaanam', and 'thaanam' creates a rhythmic and melodic flow.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Arumai Magal Abirami' (1959) features music by the renowned composer V. Dakshinamoorthy and lyrics by A. Maruthakasi. The line 'Iru kannai pola ennezhuththai nee karuthu' directly borrows its philosophy from Thirukkural couplet 392 ('Ennenba Aaniyezhezhuthenba Vaazhum Uyirukku Kann').

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