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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

O Manida Jaathiye

From Vasantha Maligai · 1972

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Vasantha Maligai1972

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
O… maanida jaathiyae…Oh, human race...
Manidhargalae neengalO human beings, you
Dhevargal aagalaamCan become celestial beings,
Madhuvirundhaal podhum… hmm…If only there is liquor... hmm...
Mangayarae neengalO women, you
Devadhai aagalaamCan become angels,
Manamirundhaal podhum… hmm…If only you have a good heart... hmm...
Male
Madhi irundhaal podhum andruIn those days, wisdom was enough,
Madhu irundhaal podhum indruToday, wine is enough!
Male :Edhu irundhaal podhumMale: What is enough?
Male :Madhu irundhaal podhumMale: Wine is enough!
Male
Ulagaththin vayadhugal palakkodiThe age of this world is many millions of years,
Athil urundavar purandavar palakkodiMillions have tossed and turned through it,
Ungalin iruppidamoo oru kodiYour current abode costs a crore,
Uyir odivittaal pinnar varumodi…Once life flees, will it ever return?
Varumodi….Will it return?
Male
Maalaiyil sooriyan kulikkindradhuIn the evening, the sun takes a bath,
Athu madhuvai kadalilae kudikkindradhuIt drinks wine in the sea,
Maa… laiyil sooriyan kulikkindradhuIn the... evening, the sun takes a bath,
Athu madhuvai kadalilae kudikkindradhuIt drinks wine in the sea,
Male
Kaalai varai kudithu sivakkindradhuIt drinks until morning and turns red,
En kangalum athupol irukkindradhu..My eyes are just like that too..
Hahaah…Hahaah…
Ellorum sooriya namaskaaram pannungoEveryone, perform the sun salutation!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from 'Vasantha Maligai' depicts a rich, tormented protagonist seeking refuge from sorrow through alcohol. Expressed through cynical, philosophical humor, the character contrasts the traditional values of wisdom (Madhi) and virtue with the modern reliance on liquor (Madhu) as an escape from existential pain.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Antithesis (Muran)

Madhi irundhaal podhum andru / Madhu irundhaal podhum indru

Contrasts the past ('andru') where wisdom ('madhi') was prioritized with the present ('indru') where wine ('madhu') takes precedence.

Personification / Metaphor

Maalaiyil sooriyan kulikkindradhu / Athu madhuvai kadalilae kudikkindradhu

Personifies the setting sun dipping into the ocean as bathing and drinking alcohol until its eyes turn red in the morning.

Ethugai (Second-letter rhyming)

Madhi irundhaal podhum andru / Madhu irundhaal podhum indru

The second letter 'dhi' and 'dhu' share phonetic harmony (d-sound), creating a classic Tamil poetic rhythm.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Maalaiyil sooriyan kulikkindradhu / Athu madhuvai kadalilae kudikkindradhu / Kaalai varai kudithu sivakkindradhu

Consecutive lines end with the rhyming verb suffix '-kindradhu'.

Did you know?

Trivia

This song belongs to the classic film 'Vasantha Maligai' (1972) starring Sivaji Ganesan. The music was composed by K. V. Mahadevan and rendered by legendary playback singer T. M. Soundararajan (TMS) with lyrics penned by Kavinar Kannadasan.

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