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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Soodikoduthaval Naan Thozhi

From Teacheramma · 1968

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
T. R. Pappa
Details
Teacheramma1968

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
: Soodi koduthaval naan thozhiI am the one who adorned the garland and gave it away, my friend
Sooti kondavalae nee vaazhiMay you, who wore it upon yourself, live long!
Soodi koduthaval naan thozhiI am the one who adorned the garland and gave it away, my friend
Sooti kondavalae nee vaazhiMay you, who wore it upon yourself, live long!
Female
Soodi koduthaval naan thozhiI am the one who adorned the garland and gave it away, my friend
Female
Paadi koduthaval naan thozhiI am the one who sang the song and gave it away, my friend
Paadi koduthaval naan thozhiI am the one who sang the song and gave it away, my friend
Paattai mudithaval nee vaazhiMay you, who completed the song, live long!
Female
Soodi koduthaval naan thozhiI am the one who adorned the garland and gave it away, my friend
Female
Nilathai paarthaa payir vaithaenDid I plant crops after looking at the soil?
Adhan nirathai paartha uyir vaithaenDid I give my life seeing its color?
Mugathai paarthaa manam vaithaenSeeing his face, I placed my heart
Varum mudivai paarthaa kadhai sonnaenForeseeing the ultimate outcome, I narrated a story
Mudivai paarthaa kadhai sonnaenForeseeing the outcome, I narrated a story
Female
Soodi koduthaval naan thozhiI am the one who adorned the garland and gave it away, my friend
Sooti kondavalae nee vaazhiMay you, who wore it upon yourself, live long!
Soodi koduthaval naan thozhiI am the one who adorned the garland and gave it away, my friend
Female
Maalai thoduthu malar konduStringing a garland carrying fresh flowers
Nalla manjal kunkuma shimizh konduHolding a box of good turmeric and kumkum
Yaezhai ezhundhaen enakkendruPoor me, I arose thinking it was meant for me
Andha iraivan mudithaan unakkendruBut that God decided it was meant for you
Iraivan mudithaan unakkendruGod decided it was meant for you
Female
Soodi koduthaval naan thozhiI am the one who adorned the garland and gave it away, my friend
Sooti kondavalae nee vaazhiMay you, who wore it upon yourself, live long!
Soodi koduthaval naan thozhiI am the one who adorned the garland and gave it away, my friend
Female
Kadalum vaanum ullavarai thendralAs long as the ocean and sky exist, until the gentle breeze
Kaatru nadandhu sellum varaiUntil the wind continues to blow
Kadalum vaanum ullavarai thendralAs long as the ocean and sky exist, until the gentle breeze
Kaatru nadandhu sellum varaiUntil the wind continues to blow
Valarga undhan palliyarai neeMay your marital chamber flourish
Valarga undhan palliyarai neeMay your marital chamber flourish
Vaazha vaipaai andha nallavaraiYou shall make that good man live happily
Nee vaazha vaipaai andha nallavaraiYou shall make that good man live happily
Nee vaazha vaipaai andha nallavaraiYou shall make that good man live happily

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant song from Teacheramma (1968), written by lyricist Kannadasan, expresses noble sacrifice and selfless love. The speaker reflects on how she nurtured feelings for a man, metaphorically stringing a garland and preparing auspicious symbols of marriage thinking they were for herself. However, realizing fate and God designed him for her friend, she gracefully steps aside and hands over her love.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Mythological Allusion

Soodi koduthaval naan thozhi

The phrase 'Soodi Koduthaval' directly references Saint Andal (Kodhai), who wore garlands before offering them to God. Here, Kannadasan repurposes it for a woman who prepared love for a man but sacrifed it for her friend.

Eukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Paadi koduthaval naan thozhi / Paattai mudithaval nee vaazhi

The second letter 'di' in 'Paadi' and 'tta' in 'Paattai' creates a balanced rhythmic structure in Tamil prosody.

Metaphor

Nilathai paarthaa payir vaithaen

Comparing cultivation of land ('payir vaithaen') to placing her heart and life upon seeing the lover.

Did you know?

Trivia

The phrase 'Soodi Kodutha Sudarkodi' is traditionally an epithet for Andal. Lyricist Kannadasan ingeniously transposed this sacred devotional motif into a cinematic context of modern sacrifice and friendship.

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