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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Sivan Magane

From Paditha Manaivi · 1961

Lyricist
Papanasam Sivan
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Paditha Manaivi1961

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Sivan magane unakku theriyadhadhaO Son of Lord Shiva, do you not know?
Engal sindhaiyenna umakku puriyadhadhaDo you not understand what is in our thoughts?
Magan thandhai paasam nee ariyadhadhaDo you not know the deep affection between a father and son?
Adhu marumagal nalam kaana mudiyathathaCan it not also look after the well-being of the daughter-in-law?
MudiyathathaIs it impossible?
Female
Sivan magane unakku theriyadhadhaO Son of Lord Shiva, do you not know?
Engal sindhaiyenna umakku puriyadhadhaDo you not understand what is in our thoughts?
Magan thandhai paasam nee ariyadhadhaDo you not know the deep affection between a father and son?
Adhu marumagal nalam kaana mudiyathathaCan it not also look after the well-being of the daughter-in-law?
MudiyathathaIs it impossible?
Sivan magane unakku theriyadhadhaO Son of Lord Shiva, do you not know?
Female
Pillai unnai thandhai adithaanillaiAs a child, your father never hit you,
Nee pizhai sonna podhum pirithaan illaiEven when you pointed out mistakes, he did not separate from you.
Pillai unnai thandhai adithaanillaiAs a child, your father never hit you,
Nee pizhai sonna podhum pirithaan illaiEven when you pointed out mistakes, he did not separate from you.
Valli kurathiyaiyum maruthaan illaiNor did he reject Valli, the maiden of the Kurava tribe,
Valli kurathiyaiyum maruthaan illaiNor did he reject Valli, the maiden of the Kurava tribe,
Avalai manandhadhal unniayum veruthaan illaiNor did he despise you for marrying her.
Female
Sivan magane unakku theriyadhadhaO Son of Lord Shiva, do you not know?
Female
Inam sera kulam sera malar soodinenI adorned flowers wishing to unite families and lineages,
Serndhu irundhorai pirikkindra pazhi thedinenYet I brought upon myself the blame of separating those who belonged together.
Inam sera kulam sera malar soodinenI adorned flowers wishing to unite families and lineages,
Serndhu irundhorai pirikkindra pazhi thedinenYet I brought upon myself the blame of separating those who belonged together.
Manam thandha pillaikku thaaiyaaginenI became a loving mother to the child who gave his heart,
Manam thandha pillaikku thaaiyaaginenI became a loving mother to the child who gave his heart,
Adhan malar pondra nenjukku noiyaaginenYet I became an affliction to his flower-like tender heart.
NoiyaaginenI became an affliction!
Female
Sivan magane unakku theriyadhadhaO Son of Lord Shiva, do you not know?
Female
Kulamaadhin panbukku naalayudhamModesty and virtue are the noble weapons of a woman of good family,
Aval kudumbathai inaikkindra noolaayudhamThe thread of her love is the weapon that binds the entire family together.
Kulamaadhin panbukku naalayudhamModesty and virtue are the noble weapons of a woman of good family,
Aval kudumbathai inaikkindra noolaayudhamThe thread of her love is the weapon that binds the entire family together.
Malai pondrathadai neenga neeyaagilumEven if you yourself must remove the mountain-like obstacles,
Malai pondrathadai neenga neeyaagilumEven if you yourself must remove the mountain-like obstacles,
Kondu varvendum uravennum velayudham velayudhamYou must bring forth the divine spear named kinship and affection!
Female
Sivan magane unakku theriyadhadhaO Son of Lord Shiva, do you not know?
Engal sindhaiyenna umakku puriyadhadhaDo you not understand what is in our thoughts?
Magan thandhai paasam nee ariyadhadhaDo you not know the deep affection between a father and son?
Adhu marumagal nalam kaana mudiyathathaCan it not also look after the well-being of the daughter-in-law?
MudiyathathaIs it impossible?
Sivan magane unakku theriyadhadhaO Son of Lord Shiva, do you not know?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

In this emotional song from Paditha Manaivi, a woman prays fervently to Lord Murugan (addressed as 'Sivan Magan', the Son of Shiva). She questions why divine intervention is missing when family bonds are fracturing. She references mythological events, such as Shiva's endless tolerance for Murugan and his acceptance of Murugan's marriage to Valli, to argue that love and acceptance should prevail in human households as well.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Kondu varvendum uravennum velayudham velayudham

The lyrics metaphorically describe affection and kinship as a divine weapon ('uravennum velayudham') that resolves conflicts.

Simile (Uvamai)

Adhan malar pondra nenjukku noiyaaginen

The heart of the loved one is compared to a soft, delicate flower ('malar pondra nenjukku').

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Sivan magane unakku theriyadhadha / Engal sindhaiyenna umakku puriyadhadha

Repetition of the 'Si' sound in 'Sivan' and 'sindhaiyenna' creates a pleasant auditory rhythm.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by K. V. Mahadevan with lyrics by the legendary Carnatic composer Papanasam Sivan, this song uses classic Tamil devotional motifs (appealing to Lord Murugan) to address domestic harmony and family relationships in a social drama film context.

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