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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nellukkulle Arisi Iruppathu

From Manamulla Marutharam · 1958

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
Jikki
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Manamulla Marutharam1958

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Nellukullae arisi iruppathuHaving rice inside the paddy husk
Avasiyam avasiyam avasiyamIs essential, essential, essential
Nellukullae arisi iruppathuHaving rice inside the paddy husk
Avasiyam avasiyam avasiyamIs essential, essential, essential
Nenjukullae kuraivillaathaInside the heart, an unwavering
Nambikkai iruppathuPresence of faith
Avasiyam avaisyam avasiyam..Is essential, essential, essential..
Nenjukullae kuraivillaathaInside the heart, an unwavering
Nambikkai iruppathuPresence of faith
Avasiyam avaisyam avasiyam..Is essential, essential, essential..
Female
Nellukullae arisi iruppathuHaving rice inside the paddy husk
Avasiyam avasiyam avasiyamIs essential, essential, essential
Female
Nalla manathai irulaakkumDarkening a good mind
Thollai kodukkum karumegamIs the dark cloud that causes distress
Kallam kabadam santhegam ithaiDeceit, trickery, and doubt — these
Thalli vaippathu muraiyaagumPushing them away is the right path
Female
Nalla manathai irulaakkumDarkening a good mind
Thollai kodukkum karumegamIs the dark cloud that causes distress
Kallam kabadam santhegam ithaiDeceit, trickery, and doubt — these
Thalli vaippathu muraiyaagumPushing them away is the right path
Female
Nellukullae arisi iruppathuHaving rice inside the paddy husk
Avasiyam avasiyam avasiyamIs essential, essential, essential
Female
Nambikkai ondrae vaazhvin latchiyamFaith alone is life's ultimate goal
Vambu vilaikkum aathiram alatchiyamTrouble-making anger should be disregarded
Nambikkai ondrae vaazhvin latchiyamFaith alone is life's ultimate goal
Vambu vilaikkum aathiram alatchiyamTrouble-making anger should be disregarded
Sinthithu paarpathu romba avasiyamReflecting deeply is very essential
Theriyum piragu intha ragasiyamOnly then will this secret become clear
Sinthithu paarpathu romba avasiyamReflecting deeply is very essential
Theriyum piragu intha ragasiyamOnly then will this secret become clear
Female
Nellukullae arisi iruppathuHaving rice inside the paddy husk
Avasiyam avasiyam avasiyamIs essential, essential, essential
Female
Kannai mattum nambaathaeDo not trust your eyes alone
Karuthai neeyum izhakkaathaeDo not lose your clarity of thought
Kannai mattum nambaathaeDo not trust your eyes alone
Karuthai neeyum izhakkaathaeDo not lose your clarity of thought
Enni paarkum munnaalaeBefore thinking things through thoroughly
Ethaiyum mudivu pannaathae..Do not jump to any decision..
Enni paarkum munnaalaeBefore thinking things through thoroughly
Ethaiyum mudivu pannaathae..Do not jump to any decision..
Female
Nellukullae arisi iruppathuHaving rice inside the paddy husk
Avasiyam avasiyam avasiyamIs essential, essential, essential
Nenjukullae kuraivillaathaInside the heart, an unwavering
Nambikkai iruppathuPresence of faith
Avasiyam avaisyam avasiyam..Is essential, essential, essential..
Female
Nellukullae arisi iruppathuHaving rice inside the paddy husk
Avasiyam avasiyam avasiyamIs essential, essential, essential

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from 'Manamulla Marutharam' (1958), written by legendary lyricist A. Maruthakasi and set to music by K. V. Mahadevan, uses a simple everyday agricultural imagery—rice being inherent to paddy—to illustrate that faith is an essential, intrinsic component of the human heart. The lyrics warn against letting deceit, suspicion, and anger cloud one's clear judgment, comparing these negative qualities to dark clouds that obscure the goodness of a mind.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Adukkuthodar (Repetition for Emphasis)

Avasiyam avasiyam avasiyam

The word 'Avasiyam' (essential) is repeated three times consecutively to emphasize the absolute necessity of faith and practical wisdom in life.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Thollai kodukkum karumegam

Troubles, doubts, and deceit are metaphorically depicted as dark clouds ('karumegam') that darken a good mind.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Nambikkai ondrae vaazhvin latchiyam / Vambu vilaikkum aathiram alatchiyam

End rhymes such as 'latchiyam', 'alatchiyam', 'avasiyam', and 'ragasiyam' create a rhythmic, memorable musical flow.

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Trivia

Lyricist A. Maruthakasi was renowned for weaving everyday rural metaphors, like grain and farming concepts, into moral guidance songs during the 1950s Golden Era of Tamil cinema.

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