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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Sooriyan Chandran

From Nee Thodum Pothu · 1984

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singer
S. P. Shailaja
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Nee Thodum Pothu1984

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Sooriyan chandhiran polLike the sun and the moon,
Ungal pugazh vazhnthida venumaiyyaaMay your fame live long, sir!
Chorus
Sooriyan chandhiran polLike the sun and the moon,
Ungal pugazh vazhnthida venumaiyyaaMay your fame live long, sir!
Sooriyan chandhiran polLike the sun and the moon,
Ungal pugazh vazhnthida venumaiyyaaMay your fame live long, sir!
Vaazhththugirom vaazhgavendruWe bless you saying 'May you live long',
Saami pola pala koottaminguLike a crowd gathered here like worshippers,
Chinna kuzhanthaigal ennam palikattumMay the wishes of small children come true!
Chorus
Sooriyan chandhiran polLike the sun and the moon,
Ungal pugazh vazhnthida venumaiyyaaMay your fame live long, sir!
Female
Paattan paatti onnu sarnthuGrandfather and grandmother joined together,
Kaaththirunthu vedha pottuWaited patiently and sowed the seed,
Paattan paatti onnu sarnthuGrandfather and grandmother joined together,
Kaaththirunthu vedha pottuWaited patiently and sowed the seed,
Appaa ammaa thanni ooththiFather and mother poured water,
Aasaiyilae valarththa maramA tree nurtured with great love,
Chorus
Chinna pulla onnu kooduWhere little children gather,
Oonjal aadum nalla maramA good tree where swings sway;
Female
Irunthathuthaan pudikkalaiyoDid you not like the way it was?
Vera maram kidaikkalaiyoCould you not find any other tree?
Adha vetti palli paalaCutting it down in vain,
Vetti velai seiyumDoing useless deeds,
Nallavare vallavaraeOh good man, oh capable man!
Chorus :Nallavare vallavaraeChorus: Oh good man, oh capable man!
Female
Coattukkullae irukkumHiding inside a suit coat,
Kooruketta konaangi mannavaraeOh senseless jester king!
Coattukkullae irukkumHiding inside a suit coat,
Kooruketta konaangi mannavaraeOh senseless jester king!
Chinna puththi ullavaraeOh person with a petty mind,
Saettaiyilae rompa vallavaraeOh person who excels at mischief,
Valarantha thenna maram polae nirkkumStanding tall like a grown coconut tree,
Female
Intha Coattukkullae irukkumInside this suit coat hiding,
Kooruketta konaangi mannavaraeOh senseless jester king!
Chorus
………………....
Female
Soththu sogam pala kodiWealth and comforts worth many crores,
Paththu thalaimurai koodiAccumulated across ten generations;
Soththu sogam pala kodiWealth and comforts worth many crores,
Paththu thalaimurai koodiAccumulated across ten generations;
Innumkooda theeravilla ungalukkum pothavillaIt has still not ended, yet it is not enough for you;
Chorus :Pullakkutti edhumillaChorus: You have no children,
Ungalukku irunthaa thollaiIf you had them, it would be a trouble!
Female
Mullu kattaa vanthirunthaaDid you come like a bundle of thorns?
Mallu katta vanthavaraDid you come to pick a fight?
Enga paattikku pall ila katti tharavenumYou must build false teeth for our toothless grandmother!
Nallavare vallavaraeOh good man, oh capable man!
Chorus :Nallavare vallavaraeChorus: Oh good man, oh capable man!
Female
Coattukkullae irukkumHiding inside a suit coat,
Kooruketta konaangi mannavaraeOh senseless jester king!
Coattukkullae irukkumHiding inside a suit coat,
Kooruketta konaangi mannavaraeOh senseless jester king!
Chinna puththi ullavaraeOh person with a petty mind,
Saettaiyilae rompa vallavaraeOh person who excels at mischief,
Valarantha thenna maram polae nirkkumStanding tall like a grown coconut tree,
Female
Intha Coattukkullae irukkumInside this suit coat hiding,
Kooruketta konaangi mannavaraeOh senseless jester king!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This satirical song uses irony and humor to mock a foolish, greedy, and arrogant wealthy man dressed in modern Western attire (a suit coat). It begins with mock praise wishing his fame to last as long as the sun and moon, but quickly devolves into playful taunts highlighting his petty nature, senseless actions, and insatiable greed despite inheriting wealth across ten generations. The lyricist metaphorically contrasts the communal shade and joy of a family-nurtured tree with the man's destructive and foolish impulses, painting him as a tall, empty 'jester king' who causes trouble wherever he goes.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Sooriyan chandhiran pol

Comparing the desired longevity of fame to the eternal existence of the sun and moon ('Sooriyan chandhiran pol').

Irony & Sarcasm (Vyanga)

Nallavare vallavarae / Coattukkullae irukkum Kooruketta konaangi mannavarae

Addressing a foolish, greedy man with mock honorifics like 'Nallavare vallavarae' (Good man, capable man) right before calling him 'Kooruketta konaangi' (Senseless jester).

Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)

Valarantha thenna maram polae nirkkum

Using the coconut tree ('Valarantha thenna maram') as a metaphor for a tall person who lacks substance or empathy despite physical growth.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Nee Thodum Pothu' (1984) is a Tamil film featuring lyrics written by Gangai Amaran. The song is crafted in a theatrical folk-satire format, combining lighthearted insults with moral commentary on greed and arrogance.

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