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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Pongum Olimayam

From Lava Kusa · 1963

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
Seerkazhi Govindarajan
Music director
Ghantasala
Details
Lava Kusa1963

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Pongum oli mayame puviyin mudharporulaeOh embodiment of overflowing light, the primordial source of the earth!
Engal kula thalaivaa irul agattrum sengadhireLeader of our dynasty, red sun who dispels darkness!
Haa..aaa..aaa..aa…haa..aaa..aaa..aa…Haa..aaa..aaa..aa…haa..aaa..aaa..aa…
Undhan vazhi vandhoor oongum pugazhudanaeMay those who descended in your lineage flourish with great renown!
Indha nadandadhu pol naanaala aruvaayeGrant your grace so that the world is ruled righteously as it was before!
Male
Ilangaiyarkon thanaiyazhithuHaving destroyed the king of Lanka (Ravana),
Innal kadal kadanthuAnd crossed the vast ocean of sorrow,
Kalangam anuvumillaa karppin thiru uruvaiThe divine embodiment of chastity without even an atom of blemish,
Ulagin uthami ilaiyon manam magizha indhirathi devar thozhaThe purest woman in the world, bringing joy to the younger brother (Lakshmana) and worshiped by Indra and the gods,
Anuman sukrivanudan angadhanum vaazhthi varaAccompanied by Hanuman, Sugriva, and Angada praising him,
Annal raama piraan ayoothi nagar vandhadaindhaanLord Rama triumphantly arrived at the city of Ayodhya.
Haa..aaa..aaa..aa…haa..Haa..aaa..aaa..aa…haa..

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from the mythological masterpiece Lava Kusa (1963) serves as a grand invocation and narrative of Lord Rama's glorious reign and triumph. It opens with an adoration to the Sun God, the progenitor of the Surya Vamsha (Solar Dynasty), praying for eternal light, righteous rule, and prosperity over the land. The lyrics then recount the climax of the Ramayana epic: Lord Rama's defeat of Ravana, the ocean of trial crossed, and the vindication of Mother Sita, whose divine chastity and purity are glorified. Accompanied by his devoted allies Hanuman, Sugriva, and Angada, Lord Rama returns to Ayodhya to bring boundless joy to his kingdom and his loyal brother Lakshmana.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Engal kula thalaivaa irul agattrum sengadhire

Lord Rama and the Sun God are metaphorically addressed as 'sengadhir' (red sun beam) that banishes the darkness of ignorance and evil.

Initial Rhyme / Alliteration (Moonae)

Ilangaiyarkon thanaiyazhithu / Innal kadal kadanthu

The repetition of the initial vowel 'I' sound in consecutive lines ('Ilangaiyarkon' and 'Innal') builds melodic rhythm.

Hyperbole & Epithet (Uyarvu Navortchi)

Kalangam anuvumillaa karppin thiru uruvai

Describes Sita's flawless purity as having 'not even an atom of stain' (kalangam anuvumillaa), emphasizing ultimate chastity.

Did you know?

Trivia

Lava Kusa (1963), composed by the legendary Ghantasala, was a monumental dual-language hit in Telugu and Tamil. It was the first full-length color film in Telugu cinema and was dubbed/shot simultaneously in Tamil with lyrics penned by A. Maruthakasi. Seerkazhi Govindarajan's majestic vocal delivery brought a classical grandeur to the Tamil soundtrack.

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