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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Selvam Niraindhavar Endraale

From Kalyani (1952) · 1952

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music directors
S. Dakshinamurthi, G. Ramanathan
Details
Kalyani (1952)1952

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Selvam nirainthavar endraalaeIf one is called rich with wealth,
Paasam izhanthavar arivaayaeKnow that they are devoid of affection.
Selvarin ullam paazh veedaeThe heart of the rich is a ruined house,
Ulagithuvae unarvaayae…oo….Understand that this is the world... oh...
Male
Thaai paasamellaamAll maternal love,
Thaai paasamellaam uyar nesamellaamAll maternal love and noble affection,
Pana theeyinil vegumadaaWill burn in the fire of money, my friend!
Idhae sathikaararkal logamadaaThis is a world of schemers, my friend!
Thaai paasamellaam uyar nesamellaamAll maternal love and noble affection,
Pana theeyinil vegumadaaWill burn in the fire of money, my friend!
Idhae sathikaararkal logamadaaThis is a world of schemers, my friend!
Male
Vaazhvaavathum thaazhvaavathumBoth prospering and perishing,
Paazhaana panam enum peyinaalHappen because of the ghost called ruinous money,
Vaazhvaavathum thaazhvaavathumBoth prospering and perishing,
Paazhaana panam enum peyinaalHappen because of the ghost called ruinous money,
Pirar vedhanai ariyaa paathagarinThe mad frenzy of sinners ignorant of others' pain,
Veriyaattamellaam pana peyinaalIs entirely due to the demon of money!
Male
Thaai paasamellaam uyar nesamellaamAll maternal love and noble affection,
Pana theeyinil vegumadaaWill burn in the fire of money, my friend!
Idhae sathikaararkal logamadaaThis is a world of schemers, my friend!
Male
PanakkaattilaeIn the forest of money,
Panakkaattilae manithan vilankaavaanIn the forest of money, a human becomes a beast,
Idhu paramparai paadamadaaThis is a lesson passed through generations, my friend!
Idhae padupaavigal vedhamadaaThis is the holy scripture of great sinners, my friend!
Male
Thaai paasamellaamAll maternal love,
Thaai paasamellaam uyar nesamellaamAll maternal love and noble affection,
Pana theeyinil vegumadaaWill burn in the fire of money, my friend!
Idhae sathikaararkal logamadaaThis is a world of schemers, my friend!
Sathikaararkal sathikaararkal logamadaaA world of schemers, schemers, my friend!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a poignant philosophical commentary on how the obsessive pursuit of wealth degrades moral values and human relationships. It asserts that greed consumes even the purest forms of love, such as maternal affection, reducing humanity to a ruthless state where people act like beasts in a wild jungle. Kannadasan's lyricism warns that money acts as a demon causing both the rise and tragic fall of individuals in a world ruled by deceitful schemers.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvam)

Pana theeyinil vegumadaa

Money is metaphorically personified as 'Pana theeyinil' (fire of money) and 'Pana peyinaal' (ghost/demon of money) to illustrate its destructive and intoxicating nature.

Antithesis / Contrast (Ethirsol)

Vaazhvaavathum thaazhvaavathum

Contrasting 'Vaazhvaavathum' (prospering/living) with 'Thaazhvaavathum' (decline/perishing) to depict the volatile nature of life driven by wealth.

Imagery / Metaphor

Panakkaattilae manithan vilankaavaan

Compares a society driven by greed to 'Panakkaattu' (a jungle of money) where human beings turn into wild beasts ('vilankaavaan').

Did you know?

Trivia

This track from the 1952 movie 'Kalyani' served as one of the early career highlights for T. M. Soundararajan (TMS) and lyricist Kannadasan. It established TMS's signature robust voice for deep, philosophical Tamil film songs long before he became the definitive voice for M. G. Ramachandran and Sivaji Ganesan.

Keep listening

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