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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Saravanan Sonnan

From Oruvanukku Oruthi · 1977

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, K. J. Yesudass
Music director
V. Kumar
Details
Oruvanukku Oruthi1977

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Saravanan sonnan sankaran kettaanSaravanan spoke and Sankaran listened
Saatchikku swami malaiSwamimalai stands as the witness
Male
Saravanan sonnan sankaran kettaanSaravanan spoke and Sankaran listened
Saravanan sonnan sankaran kettaanSaravanan spoke and Sankaran listened
Saatchikku swami malaiSwamimalai stands as the witness
Andha sondhamum illai bandhamum illaiI have neither that relationship nor that bond
Adhu than enadhu nilaiThat indeed is my state
Male
Ambikai balan aathiram kondaanThe son of Ambika grew angry
Ambikai balan aathiram kondaanThe son of Ambika grew angry
Saatchikku pazhani maalaiPalani hill stands as the witness
Ariyaa pillai solvadharkku illaiAn ignorant child has nothing to say
Ariyaa pillai solvadharkku illaiAn ignorant child has nothing to say
Adhu dhaan enadhu nilaiThat indeed is my condition
Male
Dasaratha maharajan kulam kaatha pillaiThe son who saved the lineage of King Dasaratha
Thandhai sol maari nadanthaana illaiDid he ever disobey his father's word? No
Dasaratha maharajan kulam kaatha pillaiThe son who saved the lineage of King Dasaratha
Thandhai sol maari nadanthaana illaiDid he ever disobey his father's word? No
Male
Annai seethavin pillai selvangalThe precious children of Mother Sita
Annai seethavin pillai selvangalThe precious children of Mother Sita
Thaaiyai thaniyaaga vidavillaiyaeDid they not leave their mother alone?
Thandhai ninaivaaga varavillaiyaeDid they not remember their father?
Male
Gyaangal engae naan angaeWherever wisdom is, I am there
Male :Dharmangal engae naan angaeWhere righteousness is, I am there
Male
Saravanan sonnaan sankaran kettaanSaravanan spoke and Sankaran listened
Saatchikku swami malaiSwamimalai stands as the witness
Male
Uravinil thalaiyaaya uruvaagum thandhaiFather is the foremost relationship that creates life
Adhanai unaraadha magan thaanae vindhaiIt is strange to have a son who does not realize it
Uravinil thalaiyaaya uruvaagum thandhaiFather is the foremost relationship that creates life
Adhanai unaraadha magan thaanae vindhaiIt is strange to have a son who does not realize it
Male
Pathu mathangal palli kollaamalWithout sleeping for ten months
Pathu mathangal palli kollaamalWithout sleeping for ten months
Annai padum paadu ariyathathoIs the mother's struggle unknown?
Indha pillaikku puriyaadhadhoDoes this child not understand?
Male
Thandhai thaan perin aarambamFather is the origin of one's name
Male :Annai thaan pirappin aarambamMother is the origin of one's birth
Male
Thandhai thaan perin aarambamFather is the origin of one's name
Male :Annai thaan pirappin aarambamMother is the origin of one's birth
Male
Thandhai soll mikka mandhiram illaiThere is no mantra greater than a father's word
Adhu thaan pazhamozhiThat is a proverb
Male
Thaayir sirandha kovilum illaiThere is no temple greater than a mother
Adhuvum pazha mozhiThat too is a proverb
Male
Aval thaan ellaam unakkuShe is everything to you
Annaiyidam yen vazhakkuWhy fight with your mother?
Neruppukku yedhu azhukkuHow can fire have dirt?
Thaaimaikku yedhu izhukkuHow can motherhood have a flaw?
Male
Stop itStop it
Male
Ambikai baalan aathiram kondaanThe son of Ambika grew angry
Saatchikku palani malaiPalani hill stands as the witness

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This philosophical philosophical musical debate from the film Oruvanukku Oruthi features a poignant debate between two voices contrasting the significance of the father and mother in a child's life. Drawing heavily from Hindu mythological allegories, such as Lord Murugan teaching Lord Shiva at Swamimalai and Lord Murugan leaving in anger to Palani, as well as stories from the Ramayana, the song pits filial duty to the father against the unmatched sacredness of motherhood. Ultimately, the song reconciles both viewpoints by highlighting classic proverbs that emphasize honoring both parents, concluding that motherhood remains pure and beyond fault while a father's guidance serves as a foundation for a child's name and character.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ezhuthu (Alliteration / Moonaai)

Saravanan sonnan sankaran kettaan

Repetition of 'S' sound in 'Saravanan sonnan sankaran' creates a rhythmic cadence in the opening line.

Iyaibu (Rhyme)

Andha sondhamum illai bandhamum illai

Rhyming ending sound 'ilai' in 'sondhamum illai', 'bandhamum illai', and 'enadhu nilai'.

Mythological Allusion

Saatchikku swami malai

References Lord Murugan (Saravanan/Ambikai Balan) explaining the Pranava Mantra to Lord Shiva (Sankaran) at Swamimalai and his later fury leading to Palani.

Proverb Integration (Pazhamozhi)

Thandhai soll mikka mandhiram illai

Incorporates famous Tamil proverbs 'Thandhai sol mikka mandhiram illai' and 'Thaayir sirandha kovilum illai' directly into the lyrics.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song features a legendary duet/philosophical argument between T. M. Soundararajan and K. J. Yesudas, composed by V. Kumar with lyrics by Vaali. It cleverly uses Lord Murugan's mythologies (teaching Shiva at Swamimalai vs. leaving in anger to Palani) as metaphors for parent-child relations.

Keep listening

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