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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Sri Shanmuga

From Sonthangal Vazhga · 1975

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
V. Kumar
Details
Sonthangal Vazhga1975

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Sri shanmugaa enakkoru santhegamOh Lord Shanmuga, I have a doubt.
Pettra thanthaikku mudhalidamaa thaalikku mudhalidamaaIs the first place for the father who gave birth, or for the sacred marriage thread?
Sri shanmugaa enakkoru santhegamOh Lord Shanmuga, I have a doubt.
Pettra thanthaikku mudhalidamaa thaalikku mudhalidamaaIs the first place for the father who gave birth, or for the sacred marriage thread?
Shanmugaa enakkoru santhegamShanmuga, I have a doubt.
Female
Indhiran magalthaanae deivaanaiDeivaanai is indeed the daughter of Indra.
Aval thanthaiyai veruththaayo perumaanaeDid you hate her father, Oh Lord?
Indhiran magalthaanae deivaanaiDeivaanai is indeed the daughter of Indra.
Aval thanthaiyai veruththaayo perumaanaeDid you hate her father, Oh Lord?
Female
Sri shanmugaa enakkoru santhegamOh Lord Shanmuga, I have a doubt.
Female
Paththu thingal sumanthu paaloottiCarrying in the womb for ten months and breastfeeding,
Tamil pallikku selgavendru seeraattiPampering and urging to go to the Tamil school,
Paththu thingal sumanthu paaloottiCarrying in the womb for ten months and breastfeeding,
Tamil pallikku selgavendru seeraattiPampering and urging to go to the Tamil school,
Paththirandu paruvam valarththavar yaarWho is the one who raised her through twelve stages of growth?
Paththirandu paruvam valarththavar yaarWho is the one who raised her through twelve stages of growth?
Avarkku uravillaiyoDo they have no relationship or right?
Sontham mudhal illaiyoIs their kinship not the primary one?
Female
Sri shanmugaa enakkoru santhegamOh Lord Shanmuga, I have a doubt.
Female
Magal ennum solthaanae mudhal uravuThe word 'daughter' is indeed the very first relationship,
Vantha marumagal enum vaarththai maru uravuThe word 'daughter-in-law' that came later is only a secondary relationship.
Magal ennum solthaanae mudhal uravuThe word 'daughter' is indeed the very first relationship,
Vantha marumagal enum vaarththai maru uravuThe word 'daughter-in-law' that came later is only a secondary relationship.
Kaaththaval thaaithaanae pala iravuThe one who protected through many nights was the mother,
Kaaththaval thaaithaanae pala iravuThe one who protected through many nights was the mother,
Adharkku kaaranam thanthai kanda mudhal iravuAnd the cause for that was the first night experienced by the father.
Female
Sri shanmugaa enakkoru santhegamOh Lord Shanmuga, I have a doubt.
Female
Malai illaiyael aniyum pavalam engaeIf there is no mountain, where is the coral to be worn?
Pettra kadal illaiyael aniyum muththum engaeIf there is no parent ocean, where is the pearl to be worn?
Malai illaiyael aniyum pavalam engaeIf there is no mountain, where is the coral to be worn?
Pettra kadal illaiyael aniyum muththum engaeIf there is no parent ocean, where is the pearl to be worn?
Thalai illaiyael serum kaalgal engaeIf there is no head, where are the feet that join it?
Thalai illaiyael serum kaalgal engaeIf there is no head, where are the feet that join it?
Pettra thanthai indrael vantha sontham engaeWithout the father who begot, where is the relationship that arrived later?
Female
Sri shanmugaa enakkoru santhegamOh Lord Shanmuga, I have a doubt.
Pettra thanthaikku mudhalidamaa thaalikku mudhalidamaaIs the first place for the father who gave birth, or for the sacred marriage thread?
Shanmugaa enakkoru santhegamShanmuga, I have a doubt.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song expresses a profound moral dilemma faced by a woman regarding primary emotional allegiance: whether priority belongs to the biological father who nurtured and raised her, or to the husband bound by marriage. Addressing Lord Shanmuga, the singer questions divine precedent and nature itself to establish the irreplaceable importance of birth parents.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Rhetorical Question (Vinah)

Pettra thanthaikku mudhalidamaa thaalikku mudhalidamaa

The lyrics continuously pose questions to Lord Shanmuga to highlight the emotional conflict between filial duty and marital obligations.

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Malai illaiyael aniyum pavalam engae / Pettra kadal illaiyael aniyum muththum engae

Analogy comparing parents to the mountain and ocean that produce precious treasures like coral and pearls.

Anaphora / Alliteration (Monai)

Paththu thingal sumanthu paalootti / Paththirandu paruvam valarththavar yaar

Repetition of initial consonant and vowel sounds 'Paththu' and 'Paththirandu' creates rhythm and emotional emphasis on stages of raising a child.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by K. V. Mahadevan with lyrics by Kannadasan, this song showcases Kannadasan's signature style of framing complex human ethical and relational dilemmas through devotional addresses to deities.

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