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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Senthamizh Naadennum

From Raja Rajan · 1957

Lyricist
Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyaar
Singers
Udutha Sarojini, Chorus
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Raja Rajan1957

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Senthamizh naadennum podhinilaeWhen saying the word 'The land of pure Tamil',
Inba thaen vandhu paayudhu kaadhinilaeSweet honey flows into the ears.
Female
Engal thandhaiyar naadennum pechinilaeWhen speaking of 'The land of our forefathers',
Oru sakthi pirakkudhu moochinilaeA surge of power is born within our breath.
Female
Kaaviri then pannai paalaaru thamizhKaveri, South Pennai, Palar, and Tamil-renowned,
Kandadhor vaiyai porunai nadhiThe observed Vaigai and Porunai rivers,
Female
Aa….aa….aa….aa….aa…aa….aa…aa..(Vocalizing)
Female Chorus :Kaaviri then pannai paalaaru thamizhFemale Chorus: Kaveri, South Pennai, Palar, and Tamil-renowned,
Kandadhor vaiyai porunai nadhiThe observed Vaigai and Porunai rivers,
Female
Yena maeviya aaru pala odaWith many such revered rivers flowing across,
Thiru maeni sezhitha thamizhnaaduTamil Nadu whose sacred divine body flourishes.
Female
Valluvan thannai ulaginukkae thandhuGiving Thiruvalluvar to the entire world,
Vaan pughazh konda thamizhnaaduTamil Nadu attained sky-high fame.
Female
Nenjai allum silappadhigaaram endrorCreating the heart-captivating epic named Silappathikaram,
Mani aaram padaitha thamizhnaaduTamil Nadu crafted a divine gemstone necklace.
Female
Neelaa thirai kadal orathilae nindruStanding at the edge of the blue-waved ocean,
Nitham thavam sei kumari ellaiKanyakumari does continuous penance at the southern border,
Female
Aa….aa….aaa…..aa……aa…..aa….(Vocalizing)
Female Chorus :Neelaa thirai kadal orathilae nindruFemale Chorus: Standing at the edge of the blue-waved ocean,
Nitham thavam sei kumari ellaiKanyakumari does continuous penance at the southern border,
Female
Vada maalavan kundramTo the northern hills of Lord Vishnu (Tirupati),
IvattridaiyaeBetween these sacred boundaries,
Pugazh mandi kidakkum thamizhnaaduTamil Nadu lies abounding in boundless glory.
Female
Pugazh mandi kidakkum thamizhnaaduTamil Nadu lies abounding in boundless glory.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Senthamizh Naadennum Podhinilae is an iconic patriotic Tamil poem composed by Mahakavi Subramaniya Bharathiyar. The song celebrates the glory, rich cultural heritage, geography, and literary gems of Tamil Nadu. Bharathiyar expresses that merely hearing the name of the Tamil land fills the ears with sweet joy, while speaking of the motherland instills immense strength and energy in one's breath. The poem highlights the major perennial rivers—Kaveri, Pennai, Palar, Vaigai, and Porunai—that make the Tamil land fertile and prosperous. Bharathiyar pays deep homage to immortal literary contributions, such as Thiruvalluvar's Thirukkural which elevated the region's glory to the skies, and Ilango Adigal's Silappathikaram, which he compares to a magnificent necklace of gems adorning the state. Geographically, it defines traditional Tamil boundaries spanning from Kanyakumari in the south to the Venkatam hills in the north, representing a continuous realm of sacred divine glory.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (உருவகம்)

Inba thaen vandhu paayudhu kaadhinilae

Compares the sweet, exhilarating sensation of hearing the words 'Tamil Nadu' to sweet honey flowing directly into the ears.

Metaphor (உருவகம்)

Nenjai allum silappadhigaaram endror Mani aaram padaitha thamizhnaadu

Compares the literary epic Silappathikaram to a priceless gemstone necklace worn by the motherland.

Personification (உருவகப்படுத்துதல்)

Neelaa thirai kadal orathilae nindru Nitham thavam sei kumari ellai

Personifies the southern geographic boundary Kanyakumari as a maiden standing by the blue sea performing daily penance.

Alliteration (மோனை)

Neelaa thirai kadal orathilae nindru / Nitham thavam sei kumari ellai

Repetition of the 'N' phonetic sound at the beginning of adjacent words and lines.

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Trivia

Composed originally as a poem by the nationalist poet Mahakavi Subramaniya Bharathiyar during the early 20th century, this piece served as a rousing anthem for Tamil cultural pride and Indian independence. It was incorporated into the 1957 Tamil film 'Raja Rajan', starring M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) and P. Bhanumathi, with musical score composed by K. V. Mahadevan.

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