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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Pillai Kutti Petru

From Mamiyarum Oru Veettu Marumagale · 1961

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
C. S. Jayaraman
Music director
Pendyala Nageswara Rao
Details
Mamiyarum Oru Veettu Marumagale1961

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Pillaikutti pettru vittaal piriyamudan valarthuHaving given birth to children, raising them with affection,
Chella thirumanamum seidhu veikka aasaiOne desires to conduct their fond wedding.
Pullimaan polae thulli vilaiyaadaTo prance and play like spotted deer,
Pera pillaigal avargalukku pirakka venum endraasaiOne desires that grandchildren be born to them.
Male
Thallaadum vayadhilum than perapillaigalaiEven in tottering old age,
Kalyaana kolathil kaana venum endraasaiOne desires to see their grandchildren in wedding attire.
Ullamenum kuranghu …The monkey called the mind ...
Ullamenum kuranghu indha vidhamaagaThe monkey called the mind, in this manner,
Kollukindra aasaikku alavae kidaiyadhuHas no limit to the desires that consume us.
Aasaikku alavae kidaiyadhuThere is no limit to human desire.
Male
Panjaboodham adakki bagavaanin paadharaControlling the five elements, to contemplate God's lotus
Vindham ninaipadharkkum neram kidaiyaadhufeet, one finds no time.
Samsaara sakkarathil sadhavum suzhandraalumEven as you perpetually spin in the wheel of worldly family life,
Sangu sakra thaariyaiyum satrae nenaithiduveer…..Do remember for a brief moment the Lord who holds the conch and discus.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This philosophical song reflects on the endless nature of human attachments and worldly desires throughout a person's lifetime. It describes how human beings constantly chase social milestones—raising children, getting them married, and wishing to see grandchildren grow and marry even in tottering old age. The lyricist uses the famous metaphor of the monkey mind to highlight how boundless and restless human desires are. Ultimately, the song delivers a spiritual message: amidst the continuous whirlpool of family life (samsara), one must find at least a quiet moment to discipline the senses and devotionally meditate upon the Lord.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Ullamenum kuranghu indha vidhamaaga

The human mind ('Ullam') is directly compared to a wild, restless monkey ('Kuranghu') that jumps constantly from one desire to another.

Simile (Uvamai)

Pullimaan polae thulli vilaiyaada

The energetic playfulness of young grandchildren is compared to bounding spotted deer ('Pullimaan polae').

Metaphor / Symbolism

Samsaara sakkarathil sadhavum suzhandraalum

Family and worldly existence is metaphorically depicted as a relentlessly spinning wheel ('Samsaara sakkaram').

Second-letter Rhyme (Edhukai)

Panjaboodham adakki bagavaanin paadhara

The second letter consonant pattern ('ng' / 'ndh') creates rhythmic rhyme across 'Panjaboodham' and 'Vindham' / 'Sangu' and 'Sakra'.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song 'Mamiyarum Oru Veettu Marumagale' (1961) features music by Pendyala Nageswara Rao and lyrics by A. Maruthakasi. Rendered in the unique, expressive vocal style of C. S. Jayaraman, this song stands out as a classic Tamil philosophical track highlighting the futility of endless worldly desires versus spiritual devotion.

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