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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Pengalalae Ulagile

From Malaikkallan · 1954

Lyricist
Ramalingam Pillai
Singer
P. Bhanumathi
Music director
S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
Details
Malaikkallan1954

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Pengalaalae ulagilaeBecause of women in this world,
Pengalaalae ulagilaeBecause of women in this world,
Perumai kaanum inbam tondrumPride is seen and joy is born,
Nilaiyaagave endrumaePermanently, for all time.
Female
Pengalaalae ulagilaeBecause of women in this world,
Perumai kaanum inbam tondrumPride is seen and joy is born,
Nilaiyaagave endrumaePermanently, for all time.
Female
Pengalaalae ulagilaeBecause of women in this world.
Female
Kallaa mooda kanavanum vaazhaEven for an uneducated, ignorant husband to thrive,
Aa….aa….aaa….aa….Ah... ah... ah... ah...
Kallaa mooda kanavanum vaazhaEven for an uneducated, ignorant husband to thrive,
Vaazhvinil iniya vaarththaigal pesiBy speaking sweet words in life,
Aanantham kaanuvaalShe will find immense joy.
Iniya vaarthaigal pesiSpeaking sweet words,
Aanantham kaanuvaalShe will find immense joy.
Female
Pengalaalae ulagilaeBecause of women in this world,
Perumai kaanum inbam tondrumPride is seen and joy is born,
Nilaiyaagave endrumaePermanently, for all time.
Female
Pengalaalae ulagilaeBecause of women in this world.
Female
Kudiththanam kaaththida uthavuvaalShe helps protect and manage the household,
Endrum kulamathu oongida vazhi theduvaalShe always seeks ways for the family lineage to prosper.
Kudiththanam kaaththida uthavuvaalShe helps protect and manage the household,
Endrum kulamathu oongida vazhi theduvaalShe always seeks ways for the family lineage to prosper.
Malai pola thunbam nerntha pothumEven when mountain-like sorrow strikes,
Malai pola thunbam nerntha pothumEven when mountain-like sorrow strikes,
Thanmalar mugam kaatti malarnthida seivaalShe shows her lotus-like face and brings happiness.
Female
Pengalaalae ulagilaeBecause of women in this world,
Perumai kaanum inbam tondrumPride is seen and joy is born,
Nilaiyaagave endrumaePermanently, for all time.
Female
Pengalaalae ulagilaeBecause of women in this world.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a celebratory tribute to womanhood and the foundational role women play in sustaining family and society. Penned by the legendary Gandhian poet Namakkal Kavignar Ramalingam Pillai, the lyric highlights how a woman brings lasting joy, honor, and harmony into the world. It describes her ability to uplift her household, guide her husband with kindness and tact, ensure the family's growth across generations, and maintain a bright, smiling countenance even when faced with monumental hardships.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Uvamai)

Malai pola thunbam nerntha pothum

Compares the overwhelming magnitude of life's grief or hardships to a massive mountain ('Malai pola thunbam').

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Thanmalar mugam kaatti malarnthida seivaal

Metaphorically describes the woman's face as a blooming lotus/flower ('Thanmalar mugam').

Alliteration (Monai)

Kallaa mooda kanavanum vaazha

Repetition of the initial 'Ka' sound across words ('Kallaa mooda kanavanum').

Refrain / Anaphora

Pengalaalae ulagilae

The line 'Pengalaalae ulagilae' is repeated as a central refrain to continuously reinforce the glory of women.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Malaikkallan' (1954) starring M. G. Ramachandran and P. Bhanumathi was a blockbuster landmark in Tamil cinema, winning the President's Silver Medal for Best Feature Film in Tamil. The music was composed by S. M. Subbaiah Naidu, and the song lyrics were penned by Namakkal Kavignar V. Ramalingam Pillai, the Poet Laureate of Tamil Nadu.

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