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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Oli Pirantha Pothu

From Kanni Penn · 1969

Lyricist
‘Avinasi’ Mani
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, L. R. Eswari
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Kanni Penn1969

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Oli pirandha podhuWhen light was born
Mannil uyirgal pirandhadhammaLiving beings were born on this earth, O mother
Ingae nee pirandha podhuWhen you were born here
Deivam naeril vandhadhammaGod arrived in person, O mother
Deivam naeril vandhadhammaGod arrived in person, O mother
Female
Oli pirandha podhuWhen light was born
Mannil uyirgal pirandhadhammaLiving beings were born on this earth, O mother
Ingae nee pirandha podhuWhen you were born here
Deivam naeril vandhadhammaGod arrived in person, O mother
Deivam naeril vandhadhammaGod arrived in person, O mother
Male
Poo magal porumaiyumThe patience of Goddess Lakshmi
Naa magal inimaiyumThe sweetness of Goddess Saraswati
Boomiyil vandhadhu pennaagaCame to earth as a woman
Female
Naanamum menmaiyumShyness and gentleness
Naayagi vadivinilIn the form of the heroine
Kaaviyamaanadhu unnaalaeBecame an epic poem because of you
Female
{Adutha varusham indha naalil{Next year on this very day
Thaali undaagumA sacred wedding thread will be tied
Indha annam pettra kulandhai vandhuThe child born to this swan-like woman will come
Thozhlil nindraadum} (2)And play upon the shoulders} (2)
Male
Koduthu koduthu vaithathellamAll that was saved by giving and sharing
Koottal endraagumWill become an addition of blessings
Koduthu koduthu vaithathellamAll that was saved by giving and sharing
Koottal endraagumWill become an addition of blessings
Indha kudumbam nalla kovil endruSaying that this family is a fine temple
Oorum kondaadumThe whole town will celebrate
Indha kudumbam nalla kovil endruSaying that this family is a fine temple
Oorum kondaadumThe whole town will celebrate
Female
{Dharmam ellaam uruvamaaga{As if all righteousness took form
Tharaiyil vandhaaloDid she descend onto the earth?
Vaazhvil thannai thandhu ennai kaathuGiving herself in life and protecting me
Perumai kondaalo} (2)Did she achieve true pride?} (2)
Male
Paavai ullam kovil endruSaying that this maiden's heart is a temple
Enna seidhaaloWhat marvel did she perform?
Paavai ullam kovil endruSaying that this maiden's heart is a temple
Enna seidhaaloWhat marvel did she perform?
Anbu paasam thaayagam yaavum ondraaiLove, affection, and motherland all as one
Kannil nindraaloDid she stand in my eyes?
Anbu paasam thaayagam yaavum ondraaiLove, affection, and motherland all as one
Kannil nindraaloDid she stand in my eyes?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This lyrical track from the 1969 film 'Kanni Penn' celebrates the noble virtues, divine grace, and purity of a woman. The song compares her birth to a divine arrival, attributing to her the patience of Goddess Lakshmi and the sweet eloquence of Goddess Saraswati. It envisions a bright and joyful future filled with marriage, family harmony, and the joy of motherhood.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Paavai ullam kovil endru

Comparing the pure heart of the maiden directly to a sacred temple.

Personification

Dharmam ellaam uruvamaaga / Tharaiyil vandhaalo

Personifying abstract virtues such as righteousness (Dharmam) as taking a human form on earth.

Alliterative Rhyme (Monai)

Poo magal porumaiyum / Naa magal inimaiyum

Use of initial consonant rhyming in adjacent phrases for musical cadence.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Kanni Penn' (1969) is a classic Tamil drama starring Jaishankar and Vanisri, directed by A. Kasilingam.

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