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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Soodikoduthaval Naan Thozhi

From Teacheramma · 1968

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
T. R. Pappa
Movie name
Teacheramma
Movie release year
1968
Lyrics added on
4 Aug 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
: Soodi koduthaval naan thozhi
Sooti kondavalae nee vaazhi
Soodi koduthaval naan thozhi
Sooti kondavalae nee vaazhi
Soodi koduthaval naan thozhi
Paadi koduthaval naan thozhi
Paadi koduthaval naan thozhi
Paattai mudithaval nee vaazhi
Soodi koduthaval naan thozhi
Nilathai paarthaa payir vaithaen
Adhan nirathai paartha uyir vaithaen
Mugathai paarthaa manam vaithaen
Varum mudivai paarthaa kadhai sonnaen
Mudivai paarthaa kadhai sonnaen
Soodi koduthaval naan thozhi
Sooti kondavalae nee vaazhi
Soodi koduthaval naan thozhi
Maalai thoduthu malar kondu
Nalla manjal kunkuma shimizh kondu
Yaezhai ezhundhaen enakkendru
Andha iraivan mudithaan unakkendru
Iraivan mudithaan unakkendru
Soodi koduthaval naan thozhi
Sooti kondavalae nee vaazhi
Soodi koduthaval naan thozhi
Kadalum vaanum ullavarai thendral
Kaatru nadandhu sellum varai
Kadalum vaanum ullavarai thendral
Kaatru nadandhu sellum varai
Valarga undhan palliyarai nee
Valarga undhan palliyarai nee
Vaazha vaipaai andha nallavarai
Nee vaazha vaipaai andha nallavarai
Nee vaazha vaipaai andha nallavarai
I am the one who wore the garland and gave it away, my friend,
May you be blessed, you who wear it now!
I am the one who wore the garland and gave it away, my friend,
May you be blessed, you who wear it now!
I am the one who wore the garland and gave it away, my friend!
I am the one who began the song and gave it away, my friend,
I am the one who began the song and gave it away, my friend,
May you be blessed, you who completed the song!
I am the one who wore the garland and gave it away, my friend!
Did I check the soil before planting the crop?
Did I look at its color before pouring my life into it?
Did I look at his face before giving my heart away?
Did I foresee the ending before telling this story?
Did I foresee the ending before telling this story?
I am the one who wore the garland and gave it away, my friend,
May you be blessed, you who wear it now!
I am the one who wore the garland and gave it away, my friend!
Stringing a garland of fresh flowers,
Carrying a casket of turmeric and kumkum,
Poor me, I rose thinking it was all for myself, but
God decided it was meant for you!
God decided it was meant for you!
I am the one who wore the garland and gave it away, my friend,
May you be blessed, you who wear it now!
I am the one who wore the garland and gave it away, my friend!
As long as the sea and sky endure,
As long as the gentle breeze walks the earth,
As long as the sea and sky endure,
As long as the gentle breeze walks the earth,
May your bridal chamber flourish, and
May your bridal chamber flourish,
May you bring happiness to that good man!
May you bring happiness to that good man!
May you bring happiness to that good man!
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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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