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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Padi Alappen Endru

From Kuravanji · 1960

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
C. S. Jayaraman
Music director
T. R. Pappa
Details
Kuravanji1960

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Padi alappaen endru paaraala avndhvanThe one who promised to measure grain and protect the land,
Thadieduthaanadi muthammaTook up a stick to rule, O Muthamma.
Padi alappaen endru paaraala avndhvanThe one who promised to measure grain and protect the land,
Thadieduthaanadi muthammaTook up a stick to rule, O Muthamma.
Avan thadiyeduthumEven when he raised his stick,
Adhai thaanghi kondom endruBecause we endured it quietly,
Kudi keduthaandi muthammaHe destroyed our entire family, O Muthamma!
Avan thadiyeduthumEven when he raised his stick,
Adhai thaanghi kondom endruBecause we endured it quietly,
Kudi keduthaandi muthammaHe destroyed our entire family, O Muthamma!
Avan thadiyeduthumEven when he raised his stick,
Adhai thaanghi kondom endruBecause we endured it quietly,
Kudi keduthaandi muthammaHe destroyed our entire family, O Muthamma!
Male
Thathi thavazhgindra muthu manipillaiA precious, pearl-like child that toddles and crawls,
Pethu vittaanadi sellammaaWas born to us, O Sellamma!
Thathi thavazhgindra muthu manipillaiA precious, pearl-like child that toddles and crawls,
Pethu vittaanadi sellammaaWas born to us, O Sellamma!
Idhai ratha kazhugugal kothi kudithidaFor bloody vultures to peck and drink,
Ethanai naalaagum sollammaaHow many days will it take? Tell me, O mother!
Idhai ratha kazhugugal kothi kudithidaFor bloody vultures to peck and drink,
Ethanai naalaagum sollammaaHow many days will it take? Tell me, O mother!
Ethanai naalaagum sollammaaTell me, how many days will it take, O mother?
Padi alappaen endru paaraala avndhvanThe one who promised to measure grain and protect the land,
Thadieduthaanadi muthammaTook up a stick to rule, O Muthamma.
Male
Palapalappena valarndhu vittaan thangha rojaaGlowing brightly, the golden rose grew up,
Palapalappena valarndhu vittaan thangha rojaaGlowing brightly, the golden rose grew up,
Ivanai paarthuvittaalIf he happens to see him,
Thoongha mattar enga raajaOur king will lose his sleep,
Ivanai paarthuvittaalIf he happens to see him,
Thoongha mattar enga raajaOur king will lose his sleep.
Aalanuppi siraiedukkum koram kaanalaamWe might witness the cruelty of men sent to imprison him,
Aalanuppi siraiedukkum koram kaanalaamWe might witness the cruelty of men sent to imprison him,
Adutha naalil kinathu oramAnd on the very next day, beside the well,
Pinathai paarkalaamWe might see a corpse lying dead!
Adutha naalil kinathu oramAnd on the very next day, beside the well,
Pinathai paarkalaamWe might see a corpse lying dead!
Male
Sethu pizhaippadharkkaeDid she ripen fully into old age,
Ival muthi pazhuthaalooOnly to endure constant suffering and dying?
Sethu pizhaippadharkkaeDid she ripen fully into old age,
Ival muthi pazhuthaalooOnly to endure constant suffering and dying?
Indha pathini vaazhvadiyaeO the life of this chaste woman,
Innum ethanai naaladiyooHow many more days will it endure?
Indha pathini vaazhvadiyaeO the life of this chaste woman,
Innum ethanai naaladiyooHow many more days will it endure?
Male
Poovaaghi pinjaagi kaaithuBecoming a flower, then a young bud, and then a fruit,
Poovaaghi pinjaagi kaaithuBecoming a flower, then a young bud, and then a fruit,
Sellum pozhuthaagi vizhunthaayoo saaindhuDid you fall down leaning when your time had passed?
Sellum pozhuthaagi vizhunthaayoo saaindhuDid you fall down leaning when your time had passed?
Illai naadaala vandhavargal kanduOr seeing those who came to rule the land,
Kai nadungaamal pottaaroo kondruDid they kill you without even their hands trembling?
Naadaala vandhavargal kanduOr seeing those who came to rule the land,
Kai nadungaamal pottaaroo kondruDid they kill you without even their hands trembling?
Dhanathandhi dhanathandhi thaanooDhanathandhi dhanathandhi thaanoo,
Indha sadhigaara paavikku adhigaaram yaenooWhy does this treacherous villain hold power?
Dhanathandhi dhanathandhi thaanooDhanathandhi dhanathandhi thaanoo,
Indha sadhigaara paavikku adhigaaram yaenooWhy does this treacherous villain hold power?
Dhanathandhi dhanathandhi thaanooDhanathandhi dhanathandhi thaanoo,
Dhanathandhi dhanathandhi thaanooDhanathandhi dhanathandhi thaanoo,
Dhanathandhi dhanathandhi thaanooDhanathandhi dhanathandhi thaanoo,
Dhanathandhi dhanathandhi thaanooDhanathandhi dhanathandhi thaanoo.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from the film 'Kuravanji' (1960), written by Kannadasan and sung with intense pathos by C. S. Jayaraman, is a poignant socio-political critique framed as a folk lament. The singer addresses common women (Muthamma, Sellamma) to express profound sorrow over political oppression, tyranny, and injustice suffered by innocent people under ruthless rulers.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaai / Uruvagarn)

Idhai ratha kazhugugal kothi kudithida

Describing the young child as 'thangha rojaa' (golden rose) and tyrant rulers/oppressors as 'ratha kazhugugal' (blood vultures).

Second-Letter Rhyme (Edhukai)

Padi alappaen endru / Thadieduthaanadi muthamma

Matching second consonants across lines, such as 'Padi' and 'Thadi', or 'Poovaaghi' and 'Sellum'.

Folk Vocal Refrain (Anubandham)

Dhanathandhi dhanathandhi thaanoo

Use of traditional Tamil folk rhythmic vocables like 'Dhanathandhi dhanathandhi thaanoo' to build dramatic climax and emotional cadence.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Kuravanji' (1960) featured music by T. R. Pappa. C. S. Jayaraman's unique voice and emotive rendering, paired with Kannadasan's sharp lyrics containing subtle allegorical political commentary, made this song one of the prominent dramatic solos of 1960s Tamil cinema.

Keep listening

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