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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Oorvalamaaga Maappillai Pennum

From Arasilangkumari · 1961

Lyricist
R. Pazhanichami
Singers
Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi, T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Details
Arasilangkumari1961

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Oorvalamaaga maappillai pennumAs a procession, the groom and the bride
Serndhu varughuraar vazhiyilaeAre coming together along the way
Yaarum ariyaamal kannaal pesuraarWithout anyone knowing, they speak with their eyes
Enna seidhiyo theriyalaeI do not know what secret message it is
Female
Oorvalamaaga maappillai pennumAs a procession, the groom and the bride
Serndhu varughuraar vazhiyilaeAre coming together along the way
Yaarum ariyaamal kannaal pesuraarWithout anyone knowing, they speak with their eyes
Enna seidhiyo theriyalaeI do not know what secret message it is
Female
Vetkaththaalae pennin mughathilOut of shyness, on the bride's face
Itta manjalum sivakkudhuEven the applied turmeric blushes red
Vetkaththaalae pennin mughathilOut of shyness, on the bride's face
Itta manjalum sivakkudhuEven the applied turmeric blushes red
Female
Pattu kaiviral pattadhumaeAs soon as the soft silk-like fingers touch
Aval palingu vizhigal yen thavikkudhuWhy do her crystal-like eyes long anxiously?
Pattu kaiviral pattadhumaeAs soon as the soft silk-like fingers touch
Aval palingu vizhigal yen thavikkudhuWhy do her crystal-like eyes long anxiously?
Female
Oorvalamaaga maappillai pennumAs a procession, the groom and the bride
Serndhu varughuraar vazhiyilaeAre coming together along the way
Yaarum ariyaamal kannaal pesuraarWithout anyone knowing, they speak with their eyes
Enna seidhiyo theriyalaeI do not know what secret message it is
Female
{Viragu vettiyidam{If a woodcutter
Veenai kidaitthaalGets a Veena,
Kurudar kaiyilaeIf in a blind person's hands
Kavidhai kodutthaalPoetry is given,
Iruvarum thavippadhuThat both of them feel lost and struggle,
Adhisayamaa adhisayamaa} (2)Is that a wonder? Is that a wonder?}
Female
Idhu ivarukkum porundhidumThis suits them both
Uvamai ammaAs a fitting analogy, oh lady
Idhu ivarukkum porundhidumThis suits them both
Uvamai ammaAs a fitting analogy, oh lady
Male
Thiramaiyillaamal ottuvadhaalaeBecause of driving without skill,
Thindaadum vandi thadam puralumThe struggling cart goes off track and derails
Thindaadum vandi thadam puralumThe struggling cart goes off track and derails
Male
Thiramum panpaadum illaadha naaduA nation lacking skill and culture
Thaazhvu uyarvilae idari vizhumWill stumble and fall during highs and lows
Thiramum panpaadum illaadha naaduA nation lacking skill and culture
Thaazhvu uyarvilae idari vizhumWill stumble and fall during highs and lows
Female
Uyarvu thaazhvugal nammilae illaiThere are no highs and lows among us
Ullamum ondraai aanadhuOur hearts have become one
Uyarvu thaazhvugal nammilae illaiThere are no highs and lows among us
Ullamum ondraai aanadhuOur hearts have become one
Female
Uruvinil thaanae baedham thonudhuDifference appears only in outer appearance
Nilaiyinil samathuvam maevudhuIn state of being, equality prevails
Uruvinil thaanae baedham thonudhuDifference appears only in outer appearance
Nilaiyinil samathuvam maevudhuIn state of being, equality prevails
Male
Aalbaval neeyae adimaiyum naanaeYou are the ruler and I am the servant
Anu alavum illai samathuvamThere is not an atom's measure of equality
Nammil anu alavum illai samathuvamBetween us, there is not even an atom of equality
Male
Sari nigaraaga yaavarum vaazhvilFor everyone to live equally in life
Iruppadhu thaan adhan thatthuvamThat indeed is the true philosophy
Sari nigaraaga yaavarum vaazhvilFor everyone to live equally in life
Iruppadhu thaan adhan thatthuvamThat indeed is the true philosophy
Female
Andha naal endru vandhidumWhen will that day arrive?
Male :Makkal sindhithaalae pirandhidumMale: It will be born if the people think and reflect
Female :Andha naal endru vandhidumFemale: When will that day arrive?
Male :Makkal sindhithaalae pirandhidumMale: It will be born if the people think and reflect
Male
Kootturavaaga naamirundhaalaeIf we remain united in cooperation
Naattin kavalaigal agalumaeThe worries of the nation will disappear
Yaettil illaadha ellaa pudhumaiyumAll novelties not yet written in books
Endrum vaazhvilae thigazhumaeWill forever shine in our lives
Female
Oorvalamaaga maappillai pennumAs a procession, the groom and the bride
Serndhu varughuraar vazhiyilaeAre coming together along the way
Yaarum ariyaamal kannaal pesuraarWithout anyone knowing, they speak with their eyes
Enna seidhiyo theriyalaeI do not know what secret message it is

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song opens as a lighthearted, traditional wedding description depicting a groom and bride moving in a procession, exchanging secret glances and blushing with romance. However, it quickly pivots into a thoughtful social and political allegory. Through sharp metaphors—such as giving a fine instrument to a woodcutter or a incompetent driver derailing a cart—the lyrics highlight the consequences of placing responsibility without capability and culture.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai (Simile / Metaphor)

Viragu vettiyidam Veenai kidaitthaal / Kurudar kaiyilae Kavidhai kodutthaal

Compares misplaced responsibility or capability to handing a delicate Veena to a woodcutter or giving written poetry to a visually impaired person.

Muran (Antithesis / Contrast)

Aalbaval neeyae adimaiyum naanae

Contrasts 'Aalbaval' (ruler) and 'Adimai' (servant) to highlight class division and the lack of social equality.

Iyaipu (Rhyming Endings)

Naattin kavalaigal agalumae / Endrum vaazhvilae thigazhumae

The lines end with matching phonetic sounds ('agalumae' and 'thigazhumae') creating a poetic flow.

Personification / Hyperbole

Itta manjalum sivakkudhu

Exaggerates the bride's deep blush by poetically claiming even the yellow turmeric paste on her face turns red from shyness.

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Trivia

Arasilangkumari (1961) is a historic Tamil historical action film starring M. G. Ramachandran (MGR), Padmini, and B. Saroja Devi. The film's music was primarily composed by G. Ramanathan with additional contributions by S. M. Subbaiah Naidu. Lyricist R. Pazhanichami infused socio-political themes typical of MGR's cinema, subtly blending political reformist ideology (Dravidian movement principles on equality and public awareness) into a narrative duet.

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