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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Pala Vagai Vadivulla

From Sudharsan · 1951

Lyricist
Papanasam Sivan
Singers
P. U. Chinnappa, Kannamba
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Details
Sudharsan1951

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Palavagai vadivullaThe Lotus-eyed Lord creates living beings
Uyirgalai padaipaan pangaja varadhanof many different forms and shapes.
Female :Ulaganirudhaviyaai[Female]: As an aid to the world,
Palavagai paandangal naan samaippenI fashion various kinds of useful vessels.
Female
Thozhilai marandhaalIf we forget our work and duty,
Naadu nalam kuraiyaadhoowill not the welfare of the nation decline?
Thozhilai marandhaalIf we forget our work and duty,
Naadu nalam kuraiyaadhoowill not the welfare of the nation decline?
Male
Kai thozhil allavooIs it not manual craft/handicraft
Manidha vaazhvil inbam tharuvadhuthat brings happiness to human life?
Kai thozhil allavooIs it not manual craft/handicraft
Manidha vaazhvil inbam tharuvadhuthat brings happiness to human life?
Male
Thozhil allavooIs it not our labor,
Kudisai thozhil allavoois it not cottage industry
Sudhandhiram than madhippai tharuvadhuthat provides true freedom and self-dignity?
Kudisai thozhil allavooIs it not cottage industry
Sudhandhiram than madhippai tharuvadhuthat provides true freedom and self-dignity?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a patriotic and work-honoring duet that highlights the sanctity of labor, handicrafts, and cottage industries. It draws a poetic parallel between the Almighty, who crafts diverse living creatures, and the artisan who creates essential goods for society. The lyricist argues that self-reliance through cottage industries ('Kudisai thozhil') brings happiness, personal independence, self-respect, and economic strength to the nation.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Analogy / Divine Parallel

Palavagai vadivulla Uyirgalai padaipaan... Palavagai paandangal naan samaippen

Compares God's creation of various living forms to human artisans creating diverse vessels and goods for society.

Rhetorical Question

Thozhilai marandhaal Naadu nalam kuraiyaadhoo

Uses questioning to strongly assert that abandoning work leads to national ruin.

Repetition / Refrain

Kai thozhil allavoo / Kudisai thozhil allavoo

Repeats phrases like 'Kai thozhil allavoo' and 'Kudisai thozhil allavoo' to reinforce the Gandhian ideal of manual labor and cottage industry.

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Trivia

Composed during the early post-independence era, this song strongly reflects Gandhian ideals of self-sufficiency through cottage industries (Kudisai Thozhil). The film 'Sudharsan' (1951) featured legendary Carnatic singer-actor P. U. Chinnappa alongside Kannamba, with music by G. Ramanathan and lyrics by the acclaimed Carnatic composer Papanasam Sivan.

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