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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Sathi Malli Poocharame

From Azhagan · 1991

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Maragathamani
Details
Azhagan1991

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Saadhi malli poocharamaeO garland of jasmine flowers!
Saadhi malli poocharamaeO garland of jasmine flowers!
Sanga thamizh paacharamaeO verse garland of Sangam Tamil!
Aasai enna aasaiyadiWhat desire, my dear, what immense desire!
Avvalavu aasaiyadiSo much desire!
Ennana munnae vandhuCome in front of me,
Kannae nee konjam kettukkoMy darling, listen to me for a moment.
Kaadhalil undaagum sugam ippodhu marappomLet us forget the pleasure born of romance for now.
Kanni thamizh thondaatru adhai munnaettruServe virgin Tamil, advance it forward,
Pinbu kattilil thaalaattuAnd later sing a lullaby on the bed.
Male
Saadhi malli poocharamaeO garland of jasmine flowers!
Sanga thamizh paacharamaeO verse garland of Sangam Tamil!
Aasai enna aasaiyadiWhat desire, my dear, what immense desire!
Avvalavu aasaiyadiSo much desire!
Male
Enadhu veedu enadhu vaazhvu"My home, my life" -
Endru vaazhvadhu vaazhkkaiyaaIs living only like that truly a life?
Irukkum naalu suvarukkullaeWithin these four walls that exist,
Vaazha nee oru kaidhiyaaAre you a prisoner to live?
Dhesam veralla thaayum verallaaThe nation is not different, the mother is not different,
OndrudhaanThey are one and the same!
Thaayai kaappadhum naattai kaappadhumProtecting one's mother and protecting one's country
OndrudhaanAre one and the same!
Kadugu pol unn manam irukka koodaadhuYour mind should not be small like a mustard seed,
Kadalai pol virindhadhaai irukattumLet it be vast and expansive like the ocean!
Unnai pol ellorum ena ennodumConsidering everyone like yourself every day,
Adhil ibathai thedonomLet us seek joy in that unity!
Male
Saadhi malli poocharamaeO garland of jasmine flowers!
Sanga thamizh paacharamaeO verse garland of Sangam Tamil!
Aasai enna aasaiyadiWhat desire, my dear, what immense desire!
Avvalavu aasaiyadiSo much desire!
Male
Ulagam ellaam unnum bodhuWhen the whole world eats,
Naamum saappida ennuvomLet us think of eating as well.
Ulagam ellaam sirikum bodhuWhen the whole world smiles,
Naamum punnagai sindhuvomLet us also shed a smile.
Yaadhum oorena yaaru sonnadhuWho said that every place is our home town?
SolladiTell me!
Paadum nam thamizhppaatan sonnadhuOur singing Tamil ancestor said it,
KanmaniMy precious one!
Yaadhum oorena yaaru sonnadhuWho said that every place is our home town?
SolladiTell me!
Paadum nam thamizhppaatan sonnadhuOur singing Tamil ancestor said it,
KanmaniMy precious one!
Male
Padikkathaan paadalaa nenachi paarthomaaDid we think lessons were just for studying?
Padichadha nenachi naam nadakkathaanWe must act upon what we have learned!
Ketukko raasaathi thamizh naadaachuListen, my princess, the Tamil land has grown,
Indha naattukku naamaachuWe have become dedicated to this nation!
Male
Saadhi malli poocharamaeO garland of jasmine flowers!
Saadhi malli poocharamaeO garland of jasmine flowers!
Sanga thamizh paacharamaeO verse garland of Sangam Tamil!
Aasai enna aasaiyadiWhat desire, my dear, what immense desire!
Avvalavu aasaiyadiSo much desire!
Ennana munnae vandhuCome in front of me,
Kannae nee konjam kettukkoMy darling, listen to me for a moment.
Kaadhalil undaagum sugam ippodhu marappomLet us forget the pleasure born of romance for now.
Kanni thamizh thondaatru adhai munnaettruServe virgin Tamil, advance it forward,
Pinbu kattilil thaalaattuAnd later sing a lullaby on the bed.
Male
Saadhi malli poocharamaeO garland of jasmine flowers!
Sanga thamizh paacharamaeO verse garland of Sangam Tamil!
Aasai enna aasaiyadiWhat desire, my dear, what immense desire!
Avvalavu aasaiyadiSo much desire!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

"Saadhi Malli Poocharame" is an inspiring socio-philosophical song from the 1991 Tamil movie 'Azhagan'. Lyricist Pulamaipithan blends romantic affection with civic duty and cultural pride. The male protagonist advises his lover to temporarily set aside personal romantic desires and dedicate effort toward serving the Tamil language, upliftment of society, and patriotism.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upama / Uvamai)

Kadugu pol unn manam irukka koodaadhu / Kadalai pol virindhadhaai irukattum

Contrasts a narrow mind (small as a mustard seed) with a broad, empathetic heart (expansive as the ocean).

Literary Allusion

Yaadhum oorena yaaru sonnadhu ... Paadum nam thamizhppaatan sonnadhu

Refers to the ancient Sangam poet Kaniyan Pungundranar's famous line 'Yaadhum Oore Yaavarum Kelir' (To us all towns are one, all people our kin).

Metaphor (Uruvagakani)

Sanga thamizh paacharamae

Equates Tamil language and classical poetry to a beautifully woven garland of flowers.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although credited as unknown in the prompt, the music for 'Azhagan' (1991) was composed by Maragadhamani (M. M. Keeravani), who won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Music Director for this album. This song was sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and picturized on Mammootty and Bhanupriya.

Keep listening

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