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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Paattum Bharatham

From Vanangamudi – 1957 Film · 1957

Lyricist
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Movie name
Vanangamudi – 1957 Film
Movie release year
1957
Lyrics added on
4 Apr 2025

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Paattum bharathamum panbulla naadagamum
Naattirukku nalla payan tharumaa
Ennippaaraamal poraadum maandharaal
Palanattru maarividumaa
Oongaaramaai vilangum naadham
Oongaaramaai vilangum naadham
Andha reengaramae inba geedham
Oongaaramaai vilangum naadham
Aangaara ullamae amaidhiyum perumae
Aangaara ullamae amaidhiyum perumae
Neengaadha thuyar maari nimmadhi tharumae
Neengaadha thuyar maari nimmadhi tharumae
Nigar yedhu …puvi meedhu…idharkku nigaryedhu…puvi meedhu
Iyalum isaiyum kalaiyum
Igamadhil magizhvura sugantharum
Oongaaramaai vilangum naadham
Isai paadum suvaiyaalae asaindhaadum naagam
Isai paadum suvaiyaalae asaindhaadum naagam
Idar soozhum alai maevum oliyaavum raagam
Idar soozhum alai maevum oliyaavum raagam
Aavinagalum magizhum isaiyae
Kaaviyamadhil pugazhum isaiyae
Thaalaeloovena theethillaa
Amudha geethamae thavazhum
Bodhaiyaal madhalai thoongumae
Inaiyillaadha kalaiyidhaagum
Engum pugazhuravae kanindhu niraindhu
Oongaaramaai vilangum naadham
Andha reengaramae inba geedham
Oongaaramaai vilangum naadham
Will song, dance, and cultured drama
bring true benefit to our land?
Or because of thoughtless people who constantly fight,
will they turn completely useless...?
Sound shines as the primordial tone of Om,
Sound shines as the primordial tone of Om,
That gentle hum is a song of pure joy...
Sound shines as the primordial tone of Om,
Even a furious, arrogant heart finds peace,
Even a furious, arrogant heart finds peace,
Unending sorrow fades away to bring relief,
Unending sorrow fades away to bring relief!
What can equal it... on this earth... what can equal it on earth?
Literature, music, and the fine arts
bring happiness and sweet comfort to this world...
Sound shines as the primordial tone of Om,
The serpent sways to the sweet charm of singing,
The serpent sways to the sweet charm of singing,
Every sound of the surging waves is a melody,
Every sound of the surging waves is a melody!
Even the herds of cattle rejoice in music,
It is the music celebrated in great epics!
As a gentle, innocent lullaby
flows tenderly like sweet nectar,
the baby drifts to sleep, charmed by its spell!
This is truly a matchless art,
ripening and filling the world with glory,
Sound shines as the primordial tone of Om...
That gentle hum is a song of pure joy...
Sound shines as the primordial tone of Om!
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This classic composition from the 1957 Tamil film Vanangamudi, composed by G. Ramanathan and sung by T. M. Soundarajan, serves as a grand homage to the divine power of music and sound (Omkara Nadham). It opens with a reflective question on whether art, drama, and music can bring positive change to a society plagued by thoughtless conflict, but quickly resolves into a celebration of music's profound ability to heal human emotions and bring cosmic order.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Paattum bharathamum panbulla naadagamum

Matching initial letters ('Pa') across words in a line for melodic flow ('Paattum' and 'panbulla').

Edugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Aangaara ullamae amaidhiyum perumae

The second letter 'ng' matches across consecutive couplet lines ('Aangaara' and 'Neengaadha').

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Amudha geethamae thavazhum

Describing the song directly as 'Amudha geetham' (Nectar song), comparing divine music to heavenly ambrosia.

Rhetorical Question

Naattirukku nalla payan tharumaa

Using a rhetorical question to prompt reflection on the societal benefit of fine arts.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is set in classical Carnatic ragas and reflects traditional Tamil literary motifs regarding the tri-fold Tamil arts (Iyal, Isai, Drama). The film Vanangamudi starring Sivaji Ganesan and Savitri featured a memorable musical score by legendary music director G. Ramanathan.

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