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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nellu Vilayira

From Marutham · 2025

Lyricist
Neethi
Singer
Jithin Raj
Music director
N. R. Raghunanthan
Details
Marutham2025

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Oh nellu vilayira boomiyeOh land where paddy grows,
Nitham vanangura saamiyeOh deity worshipped daily,
Unnayum ennayum kaakkaveTo protect both you and me,
Vandhathu kaaniyeThis land has arrived.
Nellu vilayira boomiyeLand where paddy grows,
Nitham vanangura saamiyeDeity worshipped daily,
Unnayum ennayum kaakkaveTo protect both you and me,
Vandhathu kaaniyeThis land has arrived.
Male
Namma vazhkaiye maathidaveTo transform our lives,
Mann vaasathil vazhthiduvomWe shall live amidst the fragrance of the soil.
Andha mannaye sonthamennuClaiming that very soil as our own,
Naanga potrithaan solliduvomWe shall speak of it with praise.
Intha uravu ippo manasukkulleThis deep bond now within our hearts,
Kalanthu pogutheBlends and merges seamlessly.
Namma pasiye pokki vazhvum ippoSatiating our hunger, our life now
Neranju pogutheBecomes fulfilled and whole.
Male
Netta panamaram yeraClimbing the tall palmyra tree,
Ooru sanam vandhu seraThe village folk gathering together,
Saami vandhu inga aadaThe deity descending here to dance in divine trance,
Nithamum kondattamEvery day is a celebration.
Male
Netta panamaram yeraClimbing the tall palmyra tree,
Ooru sanam vandhu seraThe village folk gathering together,
Saami vandhu inga aadaThe deity descending here to dance in divine trance,
Nithamum kondattamEvery day is a celebration.
Male
Oo.. oorukulla thiruvizhaOh... a grand festival in the village,
Saaamikkuthan thervizhaA chariot procession for the deity,
Koothu ketti kadha sollum puthuvizhaA fresh festival presenting stories through folk drama,
Ooru motham koodiyeWith the entire village gathering,
Vendum varam vendiyePraying for desired blessings,
Kaappuketti naanga vandha kaathu nippayeWhen we arrive wearing sacred threads, you stand as our guardian!
Male
Enga oravum enga kanavumOur relationships and our dreams,
Endrum nelachu nikkumeWill stand strong forever.
Enga vazhvum enga valamumOur life and our prosperity,
Endrum thazhachu nikkumeWill flourish forever.
Male
Oh nellu vilayira boomiyeOh land where paddy grows,
Nitham vanangura saamiyeOh deity worshipped daily,
Unnayum ennayum kaakkaveTo protect both you and me,
Vandhathu kaaniyeThis land has arrived.
Male
Veppa maram enga saamiThe neem tree is our deity,
Engaleyum kaakkum saamiThe deity that protects us too,
Vendum varam tharum saamiThe deity granting every wished boon,
Enga kula saamiOur clan deity!
Male
Veppa maram enga saamiThe neem tree is our deity,
Engaleyum kaakkum saamiThe deity that protects us too,
Vendum varam tharum saamiThe deity granting every wished boon,
Enga kula saamiOur clan deity!
Male
Oo.. sontha bandham thediyeOh... seeking out our kin and family,
Mela thalam muzhangiyeWith traditional drums resonating loudly,
Santhosham than vazhkaiyil nadakkaveFor happiness to shower upon life,
Maman machan koodiyeUncles and brothers coming together,
Panthiye than poduvomWe shall lay out grand feasts.
Engalukkul endrume uravu thodarumeAmong us, bonds will endure forever.
Male
Intha anbu than namma vazhkaiyeThis love alone will render our lives
Endrum balamumaakkumeEver strong and resilient.
Namma paasame ondru pothumeOur affection for each other is enough,
Ini endrum nelaikkumeIt will remain timeless from now on.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song celebrates the rich agrarian culture, communal unity, and spiritual devotion rooted in rural Tamil Nadu. Set in the lush agricultural landscape, the lyrics express profound gratitude towards the fertile land (boomi), sacred flora like the neem and palmyra trees, and local guardian deities who watch over the village.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyming)

Oh nellu vilayira boomiye / Nitham vanangura saamiye

A traditional Tamil poetic device where the second letter of consecutive or paired lines match, seen in 'boomiye' and 'saamiye' or 'oravum' and 'kanavum'.

Metaphor

Veppa maram enga saami

Comparing the natural neem tree directly to a guardian god ('saami'), highlighting nature worship in folk traditions.

Anaphora / Epiphora

Veppa maram enga saami / Engaleyum kaakkum saami / Vendum varam tharum saami

Ending consecutive lines with the word 'saami' to create a rhythmic, chant-like folk melody.

Imagery

Mela thalam muzhangiye / Santhosham than vazhkaiyil nadakkave

Evokes vivid sensory imagery of rural life, including drum beats ('Mela thalam muzhangiye'), village chariots, and grand communal feasts.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Marutham' refers to the agricultural landscape in Tamil Sangam literature's Thinai concept. The song captures authentic folk music elements, highlighting rituals like 'Kaappuketti' (wearing sacred wrist threads during temple festivals) and nature veneration.

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