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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Pallandu Pallandu

From Madhavi Vanthal · 1980

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
Chandrabose
Details
Madhavi Vanthal1980

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Pallaandu pallaandu pallaayiraththaanduFor many years, many years, many thousands of years,
Pala kodi nooraayiramFor many crores and hundreds of thousands of years,
Sevvaatchi thaan thantha tamil mannaaO Tamil land that gave righteous governance,
Un thiruvadiyae thirukaappuYour holy feet alone are our divine protection!
Female
Kariya maamalai pol meniWith a body majestic like a dark mountain,
Karunaiyae kamala senganWith red lotus-like eyes overflowing with compassion,
Arulilae vilaintha sorkkalWith words born out of pure divine grace,
Agamellaam dhesa pakthiAnd a heart filled entirely with patriotism,
Female
Irulilae vilakkai yaettriLighting a lamp in the deep darkness,
Ilamakku thamizh paal thanthaFeeding us the nourishing milk of Tamil in our youth,
Thiruvulam niraintha selvaaO noble soul filled with a holy mind,
Dheivamaai nirkkindraaiye…You stand before us elevated as a deity!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a deep homage and reverent praise addressed to a grand figure or Tamil leader. Drawing inspiration from traditional Vaishnavite hymnology, it wishes eternal longevity and expresses gratitude for righteous rule and moral guidance. The lyrics extol the subject's majestic presence, lotus-like eyes filled with mercy, patriotic heart, and role in enlightening society with Tamil culture, ultimately exalting them to divine status.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Repetition (Adukkuthodar)

Pallaandu pallaandu pallaayiraththaandu

The repetition of 'pallaandu' emphasizes eternal longevity, directly echoing classical Azhwar devotional literature.

Simile (Uwamai)

Kariya maamalai pol meni

Compares the physical stature of the revered person to a majestic dark mountain using 'pol' (like).

Metaphor (Uruwagam)

Ilamakku thamizh paal thantha

Metaphorically equates Tamil language and cultural wisdom to nourishing mother's milk given in youth.

Did you know?

Trivia

The opening line 'Pallaandu pallaandu' is a direct homage to Periyazhvar's Thiruppallaandu, a prominent 9th-century Tamil Vaishnavite devotional poem from the Naalayira Divya Prabandham.

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