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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Seemaiyellam

From Padicha Pulla · 1989

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singers
Mano, Chorus
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Padicha Pulla1989

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Seemai ellaam suthi vandhuHaving traveled across many lands,
Oorulagam mecha vandhaAnd earned praise from the whole world,
Raasaa raasaaOh king, oh king!
Ada chaeri ellaam unnudaiyaHey, all the hamlets and neighborhoods,
Pera vechu paadumaiyaaSing singing your name with pride, sir,
Raasaa raasaaOh king, oh king!
Male
Ezhaikkoru annan thaanHe is like an elder brother to the poor,
Engalukku mannan thaanHe is a king for all of us,
Vaari tharum ennam thaanHe possesses a generous mind that gives freely,
Vaazha vaikkum ullam thaanHe has a noble heart that lets others thrive.
Ozhachu osandha uthamanaeOh righteous one who rose through hard work,
Orava madhikkum nallavanaeOh good man who respects relations and bonds,
Male
Hae seemai ellaam suthi vandhuHey, having traveled across many lands,
Oorulagam mecha vandhaAnd earned praise from the whole world,
Raasaa raasaaOh king, oh king!
Chorus :Chaeri ellaam unnudaiyaChorus: All the hamlets and neighborhoods,
Pera vechu paadumaiyaaSing singing your name with pride, sir,
Raasaa raasaaOh king, oh king!
Chorus
Thaananat thandhaana naanaThaananat thandhaana naana,
Thaananat thandhaana naana naa… hoiThaananat thandhaana naana naa... hoi!
Male
Haei nallaarukkum pollaarukkumHey, for the good and for the wicked,
Naadengum ullaarukkumFor everyone living across the nation,
Illaarukkum ellaarukkumFor the destitute and for all people,
Ini maelae nallaarukkumFrom now on, things will be good!
Kanneeril vaadum ezhaigal kaanumThe struggles seen by the poor wilting in tears,
Kashtangal thodaraadhuWill no longer continue,
Kai kondu ozhachaa mela melaIf you toil hard with your own hands, higher and higher,
Nee pova thavaraadhuYou will surely rise without fail.
Male
Sathiya sodhana yaarukkum unduTests of truth exist for everyone,
Nichayam mudivil jeyam unduSurely, victory lies at the end.
Buthanum gandhiyum sonnadha kettuListening to what Buddha and Gandhi preached,
Eduthup paaduren oru paattuI take up this song and sing it.
Munneru nee thaanae hoiMove forward on your own, hoi!
Naan kooda varuvenae paaruLook, I will come along with you too!
Male
Hae seemai ellaam suthi vandhuHey, having traveled across many lands,
Oorulagam mecha vandhaAnd earned praise from the whole world,
Raasaa raasaaOh king, oh king!
Chorus :Chaeri ellaam unnudaiyaChorus: All the hamlets and neighborhoods,
Pera vechu paadumaiyaaSing singing your name with pride, sir,
Raasaa raasaaOh king, oh king!
Male
Ettaadhadhu kittaadhadhuThere is nothing that is unreachable,
Eppodhum yedhum illaOr permanently unobtainable at any time.
Ishtappattu ettu vechaaIf you step forward with genuine desire,
Kittaama povadhillaIt will never fail to be attained.
Ullatthil irukkum ennatha polaAccording to the thoughts in your heart,
Unakkoru vaazhvu varumA suitable life will come to you.
Ellaarkkum ezhudhunaLike the destiny written,
Ezhuthuga polaFor each and every person,
Thappaama nadandhu vidumEvents will unfold without fail.
Male
Nenacha maadhiriJust as I had wished for,
Enakkoru vaazhvuA wonderful life,
Nerungi vandhadhu ippodhuHas now approached me.
Siricha malargala serththoru maalaGathering smiling flowers into a garland,
Soodip paakkanum thappaadhuI must adorn myself with it without fail.
Sandhosham ini melae hoiHappiness lies ahead from now on, hoi!
Thunbangal pani pola odumSorrows will vanish like melting mist.
Male
Hae seemai ellaam suthi vandhuHey, having traveled across many lands,
Oorulagam mecha vandhaAnd earned praise from the whole world,
Raasaa raasaa..hoiOh king, oh king... hoi!
Chorus :Chaeri ellaam unnudaiyaChorus: All the hamlets and neighborhoods,
Pera vechu paadumaiyaaSing singing your name with pride, sir,
Raasaa raasaaOh king, oh king!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song is an uplifting celebratory anthem praising a benevolent leader and hard-working individual revered by the local populace as a brother and king. The lyricist highlights the virtues of honest labor, self-reliance, and moral integrity, reassuring that suffering will end for those who toil with determination.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)

Ezhaikkoru annan thaan / Engalukku mannan thaan

Matching second consonants across lines, such as 'Seemai' and 'Oorulagam' (m-sound pattern) or 'Ezhaikkoru' and 'Engalukku'.

Monnai (Initial letter alliteration)

Sathiya sodhana yaarukkum undu

Matching initial sounds across adjacent words, such as 'Sathiya sodhana' or 'Soodip paakkanum'.

Simile (Upamai)

Thunbangal pani pola odum

Comparing the rapid disappearance of sorrows to mist melting away in the sun.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by Gangai Amaran for the film Padicha Pulla (1989), this track reflects the classic Tamil cinema genre of folk-infused socio-political praise songs popularized during the late 1980s.

Keep listening

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