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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Sami Kadhai Solla

From Vilaiyattu Pillai · 1970

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
Chorus
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Vilaiyattu Pillai1970

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Thandhanathom endru solliyaeSinging 'Thandhanathom' as a rhythm refrain
Villinil paadaTo perform with the bow-lute (Villu Paattu)
Chorus :AamaChorus: Yes!
Male :Villinil paadaMale: To perform with the bow-lute
Vandhirukkum pattukarangaThe singers have arrived!
Chorus
Thandhanathom endru solliyaeSinging 'Thandhanathom' as a rhythm refrain
Villinil paadaTo perform with the bow-lute
Male :AamaMale: Yes!
Chorus :Villinil paadaChorus: To perform with the bow-lute
Vandhirukkum pattukarangaThe singers have arrived!
Male
Veranukku veeran thanunga madhurai veeranA hero among heroes is Madurai Veeran
Chorus :AamaChorus: Yes!
Male :Madhurai veeranMale: Madurai Veeran
Saamikadhai solla kelungaListen as we tell the story of the deity
Chorus
Veranukku veeran thanunga madhurai veeranA hero among heroes is Madurai Veeran
Male :OhooiMale: Ohooi!
Chorus :Madhurai veeranChorus: Madurai Veeran
Saamikadhai solla kelungaListen as we tell the story of the deity
Male
Oorukkellam kula deivangaThe ancestral deity for the entire village
Madhurai veeranMadurai Veeran
Chorus :AamaChorus: Yes!
Male :Madhurai veeranMale: Madurai Veeran
Perai solli vannangidungaWorship him by chanting his name!
Male
Ponnukkellaam kannaagaPrecious like an eye to all maidens
Poovattam valarndhava bommiyammaLady Bommi grew up tenderly like a flower
Chorus :Aaama bommiyammaChorus: Yes, Lady Bommi!
Male
Kannukkullae onnaagaBecoming as close as a pupil in the eye
Kavalukku vandhaaru madhurai veeranMadurai Veeran arrived as her guardian
Chorus :Aama madhurai veeranChorus: Yes, Madurai Veeran!
Male
Appoluthae madhurai veeranRight at that moment, Madurai Veeran
Bommiyai thunivudan sirai eduthaarCourageously abducted and freed Bommi
Chorus :Aama sirai eduthaarChorus: Yes, he abducted her!
Male
Appoluthae madhurai veeranRight at that moment, Madurai Veeran
Bommiyai thunivudan sirai eduthaarCourageously abducted and freed Bommi
Chorus :Aama sirai eduthaarChorus: Yes, he abducted her!
Male
Kalavu manam seivadharkkuTo marry out of love (Kalavu manam)
Kanni thamizh yettinilae saatchiyum unduThere is literary evidence in ancient Tamil manuscripts
Chorus :Aiyaa kanni thamizh yettinilae saatchiyum unduChorus: Oh sir, there is evidence in ancient Tamil manuscripts!
Male
Aasai kondu serndhu vittalOnce united in true love and desire
Aayiram per vandhaalum kavalaiyillaiEven if a thousand people oppose, there is no worry!
Chorus :Aahaa ayiram per vandhaalum kavalaiyillaiChorus: Aha, even if a thousand people come, no worries!
Aahaa ayiram per vandhaalum kavalaiyillaiAha, even if a thousand people come, no worries!
Aahaa ayiram per vandhaalum kavalaiyillaiAha, even if a thousand people come, no worries!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is crafted in the traditional Tamil folk art form of Villu Paattu (bow-song ballad), where a lead singer and chorus tell a legendary story using a bow-lute and rhythm refrains. The performers arrive to sing the legend of Madurai Veeran, a celebrated warrior deity revered across Tamil Nadu as a village guardian.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Villu Paattu Refrain (Folk Call-and-Response)

Thandhanathom endru solliyae

The song uses classic Villu Paattu rhythmic filler words like 'Thandhanathom' and affirmative chorus responses like 'Aama' to maintain the tempo and engage listeners.

Upamai (Simile)

Poovattam valarndhava bommiyamma

'Poovattam' compares the gentle upbringing of princess Bommi to the softness and beauty of a flower.

Mōnai (Alliteration)

Veranukku veeran thanunga madhurai veeran

Repetition of the 'Ve' consonant sound at the start of adjacent words ('Veeranukku veeran') for poetic emphasis.

Literary Allusion (Akam / Kalavu Tradition)

Kanni thamizh yettinilae saatchiyum undu

Kannadasan references 'Kalavu'—the ancient Sangam Tamil literary concept of secret love leading to marriage—legitimizing the hero's elopement with Bommi through classical Tamil poetry texts ('Kannithamizh yedu').

Did you know?

Trivia

This track from the 1970 film 'Vilaiyattu Pillai' (starring Sivaji Ganesan) highlights K. V. Mahadevan's mastery in integrating authentic Tamil folk music traditions like Villu Paattu into mainstream cinema. Lyricist Kannadasan seamlessly blends folk deity folklore with classical Sangam literary concepts of love (Kalavu Olukkam).

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