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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Onnu Noorachu Oththa Nellu

From Melam Kottu Thaali Kattu · 1988

Lyricist
Pattukottai Nadarajan
Singer
Krishnaraj
Music director
Premasrikemadasa
Details
Melam Kottu Thaali Kattu1988

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Onnu noorachu otha nellu kadhiraachuOne became a hundred; a single seed has turned into a stalk of paddy.
Mannellam ponnalakkum enga saamiOur Deity turns all the soil into gold.
Idhu maanam veeram kaathirukkum mangala boomiThis is an auspicious land that safeguards honor and valor.
Idhu maanam veeram kaathirukkum mangala boomiThis is an auspicious land that safeguards honor and valor.
Chorus
Ponganum ponganum paalu ponganumMay it boil over, may the milk overflow with prosperity.
Pongiya pongalai ammanum thinganumMay the Goddess partake in the sweet Pongal offered to her.
Thanganum thanganum latchimi thanganumMay Goddess Lakshmi abide with us, stay forever.
Sanga thamizhagam thazhaichu nikkanumMay the historic Sangam Tamil land flourish and stand tall.
Male
Aadiyilae vedhacha vedha ammanarulil molachu vandhadhuThe seed sown in the month of Aadi sprouted by the Goddess's divine grace.
Kaathu mazhai noiyai thaanghi kathiraaga velanju nikkudhuEnduring wind, rain, and disease, it stands fully grown as rich paddy stalks.
Aadiyilae vedhacha vedha ammanarulil molachu vandhadhuThe seed sown in the month of Aadi sprouted by the Goddess's divine grace.
Kaathu mazhai noiyai thaanghi kathiraaga velanju nikkudhuEnduring wind, rain, and disease, it stands fully grown as rich paddy stalks.
Male
Boomiyai nambhithaanae pullangalai pethukkittomTrusting this land, we bore our children.
Saamiya nambhithaanga sathiyathil kattupattomTrusting in God, we bound ourselves to righteousness and truth.
Nambhiyavar vaazha engal naayagiye thunai iruppaalOur Goddess will stand by us so that those who trust her may prosper.
Chorus
Ennam pola vaazhvu vandhadhuLife blossomed just as we envisioned.
Edutha kaariyam jeyichu ninnadhuThe task undertaken crowned us with victory.
Male
Onnu noorachu otha nellu kadhiraachuOne became a hundred; a single seed has turned into a stalk of paddy.
Mannellam ponnalakkum enga saamiOur Deity turns all the soil into gold.
Idhu maanam veeram kaathirukkum mangala boomiThis is an auspicious land that safeguards honor and valor.
Idhu maanam veeram kaathirukkum mangala boomiThis is an auspicious land that safeguards honor and valor.
Idhu maanam veeram kaathirukkum mangala boomiThis is an auspicious land that safeguards honor and valor.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a joyful celebration of agricultural prosperity, devotion, and gratitude towards the village deity (Amman) and Mother Earth. It depicts the transformation of a single grain sown during the auspicious Tamil month of Aadi into a abundant harvest of paddy, despite facing harsh winds, rain, and plant diseases. The lyrics praise the sacred nature of the land, which upholds values of honor, bravery, and truth. Through ritualistic expressions like boiling milk for Pongal and praying for Goddess Lakshmi's eternal presence, the villagers express their deep spiritual connection to farming. The narrative emphasizes that living a life rooted in faith, honesty, and hard work ultimately brings victory and fulfills every wholesome desire.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Ponganum ponganum paalu ponganum / Pongiya pongalai ammanum thinganum / Thanganum thanganum latchimi thanganum / Sanga thamizhagam thazhaichu nikkanum

The deliberate ending of consecutive lines with the '-num' suffix creates a rhythmic, festive chant typical of Tamil folk songs.

Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Boomiyai nambhithaanae pullangalai pethukkittom / Saamiya nambhithaanga sathiyathil kattupattom

The second consonant sound 'mi' (மி) matches in both 'Boomiyai' and 'Saamiya', establishing a melodic agreement across the couplet.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Ponganum ponganum paalu ponganum

Repetition of the initial letter 'P' across multiple words in the line creates a strong rhythmic cadence.

Metaphor

Mannellam ponnalakkum enga saami

The yield of the fertile soil is metaphorically referred to as 'gold' (pon), signifying extreme wealth and prosperity bestowed by the deity.

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Trivia

The song is composed by Premasrikemadasa, a Sri Lankan composer who worked in Tamil cinema during the late 1980s. Sung by folk playback singer Krishnaraj with lyrics by Pattukottai Nadarajan, this track highlights traditional rural Tamil culture, agricultural rituals, and devotion to local village deities.

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