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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Pottadhu Molaichuthadi Kannammaa

From Navarathri · 1964

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Navarathri1964

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Pottadhu molaichudhadi kannammaa…What was sown has sprouted, oh Kannamma!
Kai niraiya…Hands full...
Kettadhu kedaichudhadi chinnammaa…What was asked for has been received, oh Chinnamma!
Male
Pottadhu molaichudhadi kannammaaWhat was sown has sprouted, oh Kannamma!
Kettadhu kedaichudhadi chinnammaaWhat was asked for has been received, oh Chinnamma!
Kai niraiyaHands full
Kettadhu kedaichudhadi chinnammaaWhat was asked for has been received, oh Chinnamma!
Male
Pottadhu molaichudhadi kannammaaWhat was sown has sprouted, oh Kannamma!
Kettadhu kedaichudhadi chinnammaaWhat was asked for has been received, oh Chinnamma!
Kai niraiyaHands full
Kettadhu kedaichudhadi chinnammaaWhat was asked for has been received, oh Chinnamma!
Male
Naathu vandhu sirikkudhadi kaalathilaeThe young crop arrives smiling in due season,
Sothu paanai kodhikkudhadi naerathilaeThe rice pot boils right on time,
Naathu vandhu sirikkudhadi kaalathilaeThe young crop arrives smiling in due season,
Sothu paanai kodhikkudhadi naerathilae…The rice pot boils right on time...
NaerathilaeRight on time!
Male
Pottadhu molaichudhadi kannammaaWhat was sown has sprouted, oh Kannamma!
Kettadhu kedaichudhadi chinnammaaWhat was asked for has been received, oh Chinnamma!
Kai niraiyaHands full
Kettadhu kedaichudhadi chinnammaaWhat was asked for has been received, oh Chinnamma!
Male
Manna nambi uzhudhu vachuPloughing the land with trust in the earth,
Mazhaiya nambi vedha vedhachuSowing seeds with trust in the rain,
Manna nambi uzhudhu vachuPloughing the land with trust in the earth,
Mazhaiya nambi vedha vedhachuSowing seeds with trust in the rain,
Male
Vayala nambi vaazhndhirundhaalIf you live with faith in your farmland,
KannammaaOh Kannamma,
Vayala nambi vaazhndhirundhaalIf you live with faith in your farmland,
KannammaaOh Kannamma,
Oru payala namba thaevaiyillaeThere is no need to depend on any man,
ChinnammaaOh Chinnamma!
Oru payala namba thaevaiyillaeThere is no need to depend on any man,
ChinnammaaOh Chinnamma!
Male
Pottadhu molaichudhadi kannammaaWhat was sown has sprouted, oh Kannamma!
Kettadhu kedaichudhadi chinnammaaWhat was asked for has been received, oh Chinnamma!
Kai niraiyaHands full
Kettadhu kedaichudhadi chinnammaaWhat was asked for has been received, oh Chinnamma!
Male
Aattam podum manidharukkumFor the people who dance in celebration,
Aaravaaram seibavarkkumFor those who make noise and fanfare,
Aattam podum manidharukkumFor the people who dance in celebration,
Aaravaaram seibavarkkumFor those who make noise and fanfare,
Kottai katti vaazhbavarkkumAnd for those who live in grand castles,
KannammaaOh Kannamma,
Kottai katti vaazhbavarkkumAnd for those who live in grand castles,
KannammaaOh Kannamma,
Male
Indha moottaiyil thaan uyirirukkuLife itself rests inside this sack,
ChinnammaaOh Chinnamma,
Nellu moottaiyil thaan uyirirukkuLife itself rests inside this sack of paddy,
ChinnammaaOh Chinnamma!
Male
Pottadhu molaichudhadi kannammaaWhat was sown has sprouted, oh Kannamma!
Kettadhu kedaichudhadi chinnammaaWhat was asked for has been received, oh Chinnamma!
Kai niraiyaHands full
Kettadhu kedaichudhadi chinnammaaWhat was asked for has been received, oh Chinnamma!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic Tamil folk-style harvest song celebrates the joy and dignity of agriculture. The lyrics emphasize the fulfillment that comes from hard work on the land—how sowing seeds with trust in nature yields a bountiful harvest that feeds everyone, regardless of their social standing or wealth.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhukai (Second letter rhyme)

Pottadhu molaichudhadi / Kettadhu kedaichudhadi

Matching second consonants in adjacent lines creating rhythmic flow.

Mona (Alliteration)

Manna nambi uzhudhu vachu / Mazhaiya nambi vedha vedhachu

Repetition of initial consonants like 'M' across phrase openings.

Personification

Naathu vandhu sirikkudhadi kaalathilae

Attributing human traits like smiling ('sirikkudhadi') to young crops ('Naathu').

Did you know?

Trivia

From the iconic 1964 Tamil film 'Navarathri', which featured actor Sivaji Ganesan playing nine different roles. The film's musical score was composed by K. V. Mahadevan, with lyrics written by the celebrated poet Kannadasan.

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