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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Sandai Podaathae

From Arumbugal · 1979

Lyricist
Jupiter Chinnadurai
Singer
M. S. Vishwanathan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Arumbugal1979

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Sandai podaathae thambi samarasam thaeduDo not fight, younger brother, seek compromise and peace.
Sandai podaathae thambi samarasam thaeduDo not fight, younger brother, seek compromise and peace.
Sandai podaathae thambi samarasam thaeduDo not fight, younger brother, seek compromise and peace.
Sandai podaathae thambi samarasam thaeduDo not fight, younger brother, seek compromise and peace.
Male
Anbum panbum dheivam enbathuThat love and virtue constitute godliness,
Aandror sonna vaarththiyappaaIs the word spoken by wise elders, my friend.
Anbum panbum dheivam enbathuThat love and virtue constitute godliness,
Aandror sonna vaarththiyappaaIs the word spoken by wise elders, my friend.
Male
Anudhinam adhanai madhichchu nadanthaaIf you live respecting those values daily,
Agilam unnai pottrumappaaThe world will praise you, my friend.
Anudhinam adhanai madhichchu nadanthaaIf you live respecting those values daily,
Agilam unnai pottrumappaaThe world will praise you, my friend.
Male
Sandai podaathae thambi samarasam thaeduDo not fight, younger brother, seek compromise and peace.
Sandai podaathae thambi samarasam thaeduDo not fight, younger brother, seek compromise and peace.
Male
Kadikkum naayai thiruppi kadippathuBiting back at a dog that bites you,
Kaattumiraandigal velaiyappaaIs the work of barbarians, my friend.
Kadikkum naayai thiruppi kadippathuBiting back at a dog that bites you,
Kaattumiraandigal velaiyappaaIs the work of barbarians, my friend.
Male
Adikkum manithanai manniththu nadappathuForgiving the human being who hits you,
Annal yeshu paadhaiyappaaIs the path shown by Lord Jesus, my friend.
Male
Sandai podaathae thambi samarasam thaeduDo not fight, younger brother, seek compromise and peace.
Sandai podaathae thambi samarasam thaeduDo not fight, younger brother, seek compromise and peace.
Male
Aayiram varusham hitlarai polaeLiving for a thousand years like Hitler,
Vaazhvathu enna vaazhkkaiyappaaWhat kind of life is that, my friend?
Male
Ainthu nimisham vaazhnthaalumEven if you live for just five minutes,
Gandhiyai polae vaazhanum thambiYou should live like Mahatma Gandhi, younger brother.
Male
Sandai podaathae thambi samarasam thaeduDo not fight, younger brother, seek compromise and peace.
Sandai podaathae thambi samarasam thaeduDo not fight, younger brother, seek compromise and peace.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a moralizing anthem that advises young listeners to avoid conflict, practice forgiveness, and prioritize peace over violence. The lyricist emphasizes that love, good character, and living according to the advice of elders lead to respect and acclaim from society.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Mogani (Emoni) / Initial Rhyme

Anbum panbum dheivam enbathu

The repetition of the 'An' sound at the beginning of consecutive lines (Anbum, Aandror, Anudhinam, Agilam) creates a rhythmic, melodic flow typical of classical and philosophical Tamil lyricism.

Analogy and Metaphor

Kadikkum naayai thiruppi kadippathu

The lyricist compares retaliatory violence to biting a dog back, illustrating how uncivilized and senseless revenge is.

Contrast / Juxtaposition

Aayiram varusham hitlarai polae... Ainthu nimisham vaazhnthaalum Gandhiyai polae

Hitler's oppressive long life is contrasted with Gandhi's short yet righteous living to emphasize quality of life over duration.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by Jupiter Chinnadurai for the film Arumbugal (1979), this song serves as a moral teaching track typical of late 1970s social Tamil cinema, drawing parallels from world leaders and spiritual figures like Jesus and Gandhi to promote non-violence.

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