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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Sinthanai Thondri Arivu

From Tharaasu · 1984

Lyricist
Puratchi Dasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Tharaasu1984

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Sinthanai thondri arivu valaranthathuThought emerged and intellect grew,
Indralla netrallaNot today, nor yesterday (but long ago).
Thannai thiruthik kollaamal yedho vaazhunthavargalThose who lived aimlessly without reforming themselves,
Ondralla rendalla…Are not just one or two...
Male
Sinthanai thondri arivu valaranthathuThought emerged and intellect grew,
Indralla netrallaNot today, nor yesterday.
Thannai thiruthik kollaamal yedho vaazhunthavargalThose who lived aimlessly without reforming themselves,
Ondralla rendalla…Are not just one or two...
Thannai thiruthik kollaamal yedho vaazhunthavargalThose who lived aimlessly without reforming themselves,
Ondralla rendalla…Are not just one or two...
Male
Ullagam manidhan endru vinyanam kandavargalThose who discovered science through understanding the world and humanity,
Oppatra saathanai purindhu vittaarHave achieved matchless achievements.
Oozh vinaiyum payanum endru kallaaga nindravargalThose who stood like inanimate stones believing in fate and destiny,
Ondrukum udhavaamal vaazhunthu vittaarLived uselessly without being good for anything.
Oozh vinaiyum payanum endru kallaaga nindravargalThose who stood like inanimate stones believing in fate and destiny,
Ondrukum udhavaamal vaazhunthu vittaarLived uselessly without being good for anything.
Male
Sinthanai thondri arivu valaranthathuThought emerged and intellect grew,
Indralla netrallaNot today, nor yesterday.
Thannai thiruthik kollaamal yedho vaazhunthavargalThose who lived aimlessly without reforming themselves,
Ondralla rendalla…Are not just one or two...
Male
Thittam seyal endru vaazha thunidhavargalThose who dared to live with planning and action,
Selva sezhippodu uyaranthuvittaarRose high with wealth and prosperity.
Ettaatha nilamaiku kottaavi vittavargalThose who merely yawned at unreachable states,
Iravilum thoongaamal vizhiththuvitaar….Remained awake restless without sleep even at night...
Ettaatha nilamaiku kottaavi vittavargalThose who merely yawned at unreachable states,
Iravilum thoongaamal vizhiththuvitaar….Remained awake restless without sleep even at night...
Male
Sinthanai thondri arivu valaranthathuThought emerged and intellect grew,
Indralla netrallaNot today, nor yesterday.
Thannai thiruthik kollaamal yedho vaazhunthavargalThose who lived aimlessly without reforming themselves,
Ondralla rendalla…Are not just one or two...
Male
Katchi kolgai endru medaiku vanthavargalThose who came to the stage proclaiming political parties and principles,
Kaatrilae latchiyathai paraka vittaarBlew their ideals away into the wind.
Katchi kolgai endru medaiku vanthavargalThose who came to the stage proclaiming political parties and principles,
Kaatrilae latchiyathai paraka vittaarBlew their ideals away into the wind.
Kadamai ozhungu endru nambi vaazhnthavargalThose who lived trusting in duty and discipline,
Kaneeril vaazhvai mithakkavitarLeft their lives floating in tears.
Kaneeril vaazhvai mithakkavitarLeft their lives floating in tears.
Male
Sinthanai thondri arivu valaranthathuThought emerged and intellect grew,
Indralla netrallaNot today, nor yesterday.
Thannai thiruthik kollaamal yedho vaazhunthavargalThose who lived aimlessly without reforming themselves,
Ondralla rendalla…Are not just one or two...
Thannai thiruthik kollaamal yedho vaazhunthavargalThose who lived aimlessly without reforming themselves,
Ondralla rendalla…Are not just one or two...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This philosophical and reformist song explores the evolution of human rationality and contrasts active progressivism with passive fatalism. The song highlights that human intellect evolved ages ago, yet a majority of people fail to reflect on themselves or take action to improve their lives. It contrasts scientific thinkers who achieve greatness through action with superstitious people who remain idle believing in karma and fate. Furthermore, the lyricist delivers a sharp social critique of opportunistic politicians who abandon their principles once on stage, juxtaposed against honest citizens who adhere strictly to duty only to end up suffering in tears.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyming)

Indralla netralla / Ondralla rendalla…

Repetition of the second letter 'ndr' across corresponding lines creates rhythmic harmony.

Moonaay (Alliteration)

Thannai thiruthik kollaamal yedho vaazhunthavargal

Repetition of the 'Th' initial sound across the phrase.

Simile / Metaphor

Oozh vinaiyum payanum endru kallaaga nindravargal

Comparing fatalistic, unmoving people to rigid stones ('kallaaga').

Antithesis / Contrast

Ullagam manidhan endru vinyanam kandavargal vs Oozh vinaiyum payanum endru kallaaga nindravargal

Contrasting active scientific achievers with passive fatalistic individuals.

Did you know?

Trivia

Featured in the movie 'Tharaasu' (1984), this powerful track composed by M. S. Viswanathan and sung by legendary vocalist T. M. Soundararajan carries the distinct socio-political commentary written by lyricist Puratchi Dasan, emphasizing Dravidian reformist and rationalist ideologies.

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