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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Pethava Kanneeru

From Unnai Kodu Ennai Tharuven · 2000

Lyricist
Lyricist Not Known
Singer
Unni Menon
Music director
S. A. Rajkumar
Details
Unnai Kodu Ennai Tharuven2000

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Pethava kanneeruThe tears of the mother who gave birth
Aaraaga oduthammaAre flowing like a river, oh dear
Pethava kanneeruThe tears of the mother who gave birth
Aaraaga oduthammaAre flowing like a river, oh dear
Kuththanthaan senjaalumEven if a mistake was committed
Thavarethum illaiyammaThere is no fault in it, oh dear
Male
Siragu koduthu vittuAfter giving wings to fly
Sarugaa karuguthammaIt burns down like a dry leaf
Thaai manna kaakka vittuLeaving behind the motherland to be protected
Thaai ullam poguthammaThe mother's heart is departing
Male
Thoppul kodi aruthavalaeO woman who severed the umbilical cord
Vittu sellum neramammaIt is time to leave
Thottil sugam kaanaamaWithout experiencing the comfort of a cradle
Pinju nenjam thavikkum ammaThe tender young heart suffers, oh dear
Male
Moochodu moochu onnuOne breath with another breath
Muzhusaa kalanthathammaHas completely merged, oh dear
Munnooru yugathukkum thaanEven for three hundred ages
Vaazhthu kidaikkum ammaA blessing will be received, oh dear
Male
Manasu kalangaamaWithout her heart being shattered
Manna vananguthammaShe bows to the mother soil
Kaadhal sarithirathaThe history of love itself
Maatri ezhuthuthammaShe rewrites today
Male
Uyira koduthaakkaIf life is given away
Mannodu puthanjudunnuSaying it gets buried with the soil
Thannaiyae kodukkuthammaShe gives herself away completely
Naattukkaaga kannipponnuA young maiden, for the sake of the nation

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant song depicts the immense sorrow and ultimate sacrifice involving motherhood and patriotism. It conveys the unbearable grief of a mother whose tears flow like a river, reflecting on how her sacrifices gave wings to her child only to face devastating pain. Simultaneously, it exalts a young woman who selflessly offers her very life for the protection of her motherland, rewriting the history of love through supreme national devotion.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai (Simile / Metaphor)

Aaraaga oduthamma

Comparing the flow of tears to a river ('Aaraaga') to express intense grief.

Ethirhai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Siragu koduthu vittu / Sarugaa karuguthamma

The second letter 'ra' matches across 'Siragu' and 'Sarugaa', establishing internal rhythm.

Monai (Alliteration)

Thoppul kodi aruthavalae / Thottil sugam kaanaama

Repetition of the initial letter 'Th' in 'Thoppul' and 'Thottil'.

Metaphor

Sarugaa karuguthamma

Comparing human life turning to grief with a green leaf turning into a dried, burnt leaf ('Sarugaa karuguthamma').

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is from the movie 'Unnai Kodu Ennai Tharuven' (2000), starring Ajith Kumar and Simran. The soundtrack was composed by S. A. Rajkumar, and the film centers around themes of military duty, sacrifice, and romance.

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