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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Oru Pizhaiyum

From Amarakavi · 1952

Lyricist
Ka. Mu. Sheriff
Singer
M. K. Thiyagaraja Bagavathar
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Details
Amarakavi1952

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Oru pizhaiyum seidhariyaenI have not committed any wrong.
Anbu ondrae ullamadhil konduCarrying only love within my heart,
Naam vaazhndhu vandhenI have lived my life.
Perum pazhigal paesiMaking grave accusations against me,
Ennai varuthukindraarThey cause me immense grief.
Padhari udal thudikkumindha velaiyilumEven at this moment when my trembling body quivers in pain,
Ariyamai niraindha indha makkalukkaeFor these people filled with ignorance,
Arivu varum naalai enni yenghugirenI long for the day when wisdom dawns upon them.
Thirundhaadha makkal kulam thirundhudharkkaeSo that unreformable humanity may reform,
Jeevan thandha periyorgal kodi kodi kodiCrores and crores of great souls have given their lives.
Male
Arasanendra nilai thurandhu aandiyaaghiRenouncing his status as king and becoming a mendicant,
Avathiyurum makkalukkae buthappiraan paadupattaarLord Buddha suffered for the sake of suffering people.
Perumbaara siluvai thannai thookka solliOrdering him to carry a heavy cross,
Pirambhu kondu adithittaar yesu thannaiThey struck Jesus with a cane.
Male
Orumaiyudan vaazhvadharkkae maargam sonnaWho showed the path to live in unity,
Uthamaramaam mohamadu kallaal adippattarThe virtuous Prophet Muhammad was pelted with stones.
Param porulae theeyaal ennai erikkindraaraeO Supreme Being! They are burning me with fire,
Paavam seiyum ivargalai nee mannippayaePlease forgive these people who commit such sins!
Male
Eesaa mann meedhilaeO God on this earth,
Eesaa mann meedhilaeO God on this earth,
Theemaigal maaindhaega seivaai neeyaeEradicate all evils yourself!
Eesaa mann meedhilaeO God on this earth,
Theemaigal maaindhaega seivaai neeyaeEradicate all evils yourself!
Meelaadha paavangal seivorum vaazhvilEven in the lives of those who commit unpardonable sins,
Meelaadha paavangal seivorum vaazhvilEven in the lives of those who commit unpardonable sins,
Seeriya maanidae aagidavaeMay they transform into noble human beings!
Seeriya maanidae aagidavaeMay they transform into noble human beings!
Eesaa mann meedhilaeO God on this earth,
Theemaigal maaindhaega seivaai neeyaeEradicate all evils yourself!
Eesaa….O Lord...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant, devotional, and philosophical song from 'Amarakavi' (1952) expresses the anguish of an innocent soul facing unjust persecution and suffering. Despite being falsely accused and tortured, the protagonist harbours no hatred or anger toward his tormentors. Instead, he recognizes that their cruelty stems from ignorance and prays to God for their enlightenment and forgiveness. To contextualize his suffering, he references great spiritual leaders of history—Lord Buddha, Jesus Christ, and Prophet Muhammad—all of whom endured intense trials and persecution in their pursuit to reform humanity and preach love. The song serves as a universal prayer for harmony, asking God to eliminate evil from the world and guide even the worst sinners onto the path of righteousness.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Allusion (Religious/Historical)

Arasanendra nilai thurandhu... / Pirambhu kondu adithittaar yesu... / Uthamaramaam mohamadu...

The lyrics refer directly to Buddha, Jesus, and Prophet Muhammad to draw parallels between their historical persecution and the protagonist's own suffering.

Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyming)

Perumbaara siluvai thannai thookka solli / Pirambhu kondu adithittaar yesu thannai

The second consonant sound 'ra' rhymes in 'Perumbaara' (Line 13) and 'Pirambhu' (Line 14).

Anaphora (Repetition for Emphasis)

Eesaa mann meedhilae / Theemaigal maaindhaega seivaai neeyae

The deliberate repetition of these lines reinforces the protagonist's earnest prayer to God to rid the world of evil.

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Trivia

Written by lyricist Ka. Mu. Sheriff and composed by G. Ramanathan, this song stands out for its secular vision, referencing Buddha, Jesus Christ, and Prophet Muhammad within a single composition. Performed by M. K. Thiyagaraja Bhagavathar (MKT), one of Tamil cinema's early superstars, the song reflected MKT's signature high-pitched classical vocal style during a time when his career was undergoing a revival in the 1950s.

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