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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Neelavaana Pandhalin Keezhe

From Kalai Arasi · 1963

Lyricist
Aalangudi Somu
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Kalai Arasi1963

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Neela vaana pandhalin keezhaeBeneath the canopy of the blue sky,
Nilamadandhai madiyin melaeOn the lap of Mother Earth,
Kaaladhevan arasaangam nadakkudhadaaThe reign of the God of Time is taking place, oh friend!
Avan kattalaiyil ivvulagam kidakkudhadaaUnder his command, this entire world lies!
Male
Neela vaana pandhalin keezhaeBeneath the canopy of the blue sky,
Nilamadandhai madiyin melaeOn the lap of Mother Earth,
Kaaladhevan arasaangam nadakkudhadaaThe reign of the God of Time is taking place, oh friend!
Avan kattalaiyil ivvulagam kidakkudhadaaUnder his command, this entire world lies!
Male
Kaadu malai vayalgal ellaamForests, mountains, and fields, all of them
Kalanjiyangal aagumadaaBecome granaries of wealth, oh friend!
Aa…aaa…aaa oo oo oo ooo oo…Aa...aaa...aaa oo oo oo ooo oo...
Kaadu malai vayalgal ellaamForests, mountains, and fields, all of them
Kalanjiyangal aagumadaaBecome granaries of wealth, oh friend!
Paadugindra kadalum neruppumThe singing sea and fire
Padai varisai aagumadaaBecome his line of armed forces, oh friend!
Male
Neela vaana pandhalin keezhaeBeneath the canopy of the blue sky,
Nilamadandhai madiyin melaeOn the lap of Mother Earth,
Kaaladhevan arasaangam nadakkudhadaaThe reign of the God of Time is taking place, oh friend!
Avan kattalaiyil ivvulagam kidakkudhadaaUnder his command, this entire world lies!
Male
Sooriyanai pandhaadiPlaying ball with the sun,
Suzhalvadhu thaan naatkaladaaIt is the days that spin around, oh friend!
Aa…aaa…aaa oo oo oo ooo oo…Aa...aaa...aaa oo oo oo ooo oo...
Sooriyanai pandhaadiPlaying ball with the sun,
Suzhalvadhu thaan naatkaladaaIt is the days that spin around, oh friend!
Kaariyamaai kaattrum mazhaiyumPurposefully, wind and rain
Kadamai seiyum aatkaladaa hoi…Are the servants doing their duty, oh friend! Hoi...
Male
Neela vaana pandhalin keezhaeBeneath the canopy of the blue sky,
Nilamadandhai madiyin melaeOn the lap of Mother Earth,
Kaaladhevan arasaangam nadakkudhadaaThe reign of the God of Time is taking place, oh friend!
Avan kattalaiyil ivvulagam kidakkudhadaaUnder his command, this entire world lies!
Male
Pirandhavargal irandhidavaeFor those who are born to die,
Pottu vaithaan oru sattamHe laid down a fundamental law;
Pirandhavargal irandhidavaeFor those who are born to die,
Pottu vaithaan oru sattamHe laid down a fundamental law;
Irandhavargal pizhaikka innumFor the dead to come back to life,
Iyattravillai maru sattamHe has not enacted a second law yet!
Male
Neela vaana pandhalin keezhaeBeneath the canopy of the blue sky,
Nilamadandhai madiyin melaeOn the lap of Mother Earth,
Kaaladhevan arasaangam nadakkudhadaaThe reign of the God of Time is taking place, oh friend!
Avan kattalaiyil ivvulagam kidakkudhadaaUnder his command, this entire world lies!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Written by lyricist Aalangudi Somu for the film 'Kalai Arasi' (1963), 'Neela vaana pandhalin keezhae' is a philosophical song centered on the absolute power of Time (Kaaladhevan) and the cosmos. The song frames the blue sky as a giant canopy and the Earth as a mother's lap, establishing a grand setting where Time rules supreme. All elements of nature—mountains, fields, roaring oceans, fire, wind, and rain—are depicted as the granaries, armies, and dutiful servants operating under Time's strict administration. The lyricist highlights the inevitable reality of human existence and mortality. Time has set a strict universal law that everyone who is born must eventually die, and no secondary law exists to revive the departed. Through striking natural imagery, the song delivers a profound message on human humility and the cosmic order.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Neela vaana pandhalin keezhae

The blue sky is metaphorically described as a 'pandhal' (decorative canopy).

Personification (Tharkurippettra Ani)

Nilamadandhai madiyin melae / Kaaladhevan arasaangam nadakkudhadaa

Earth is personified as a mother figure ('Nilamadandhai'), while Time is personified as a king ('Kaaladhevan') ruling a kingdom.

Personification

Paadugindra kadalum neruppum / Padai varisai aagumadaa

Elements of nature like the sea, fire, wind, and rain are personified as singing soldiers and dutiful servants.

Initial Rhyme (Monai)

Neela vaana pandhalin keezhae / Nilamadandhai madiyin melae

Repetition of the initial letter 'N' across consecutive lines (Neela / Nila).

Did you know?

Trivia

'Kalai Arasi' (1963), starring M. G. Ramachandran and P. Bhanumathi, is widely regarded as one of the earliest science-fiction fantasy films in Tamil cinema, featuring themes of extraterrestrials and alien abduction.

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