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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Suthanthira Bhoomiyil

From Dharmam Engey · 1972

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Dharmam Engey1972

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
O… hoho…O… hoho…
Aahaahaa… lalala laallaa…Aahaahaa… lalala laallaa…
Male
Sudhandhira boomiyilIn this land of freedom,
Pala vagai janangalumThe various kinds of people,
Thottatthil malarndha malargalAre like flowers bloomed in a garden.
Male
Sudhandhira boomiyilIn this land of freedom,
Pala vagai janangalumThe various kinds of people,
Thottatthil malarndha malargalAre like flowers bloomed in a garden.
Thottatthu malargalin aayiram nirangalumThe thousand colors of garden flowers,
Janangalin aayiram gunangalAre like the thousand qualities of people.
Thottatthu malargalin aayiram nirangalumThe thousand colors of garden flowers,
Janangalin aayiram gunangalAre like the thousand qualities of people.
Male
Sudhandhira boomiyilIn this land of freedom,
Pala vagai janangalumThe various kinds of people,
Thottatthil malarndha malargalAre like flowers bloomed in a garden.
Male
Mangaiyin koondhalilIn a maiden's hair,
Malargal irundhaalIf there are flowers,
Mangala mangai enbomWe call her an auspicious maiden.
Mangaiyin koondhalilIn a maiden's hair,
Malargal irundhaalIf there are flowers,
Mangala mangai enbomWe call her an auspicious maiden.
Manidhanin vaazhkkaiyilIn a human's life,
Naanayam irundhaalIf honesty is present,
Manidharul maanikkam enbomWe call him a gem among men.
Male
Pannirandaandil oru murai malarumBlooming once every twelve years,
Kurinji malargalai polaeJust like the Kurinji flowers,
Thannalam illaa thalaivargal pirappaarUnselfish leaders are born,
Aayirathil oru naalaeOnly once in a thousand days.
Male
Sudhandhira boomiyilIn this land of freedom,
Pala vagai janangalumThe various kinds of people,
Thottatthil malarndha malargalAre like flowers bloomed in a garden.
Thottatthu malargalin aayiram nirangalumThe thousand colors of garden flowers,
Janangalin aayiram gunangalAre like the thousand qualities of people.
Male
Manam ulla malargalilOn fragrant flowers,
Thaenee koodumHoneybees gather,
Vandugal innisai paadumAnd beetles sing sweet melodies.
Manam ulla malargalilOn fragrant flowers,
Thaenee koodumHoneybees gather,
Vandugal innisai paadumAnd beetles sing sweet melodies.
Thiramai ullavan engirundhaalumWherever a person of talent lives,
Dhaesam avanidam odumThe nation will run towards him.
Male
Ellaa malarum iraivan padaippuAll flowers are God's creation,
Ulagam avanadhu thottamThe world is His garden.
Thottam anaithum enakkae sondhamSaying 'The entire garden belongs to me alone',
Enbadhu suyanala koottamIs the nature of a selfish group.
Ho… hoho… laalalaa… lalala laallaa…Ho… hoho… laalalaa… lalala laallaa…
Male
Ilaigal maraithumEven when hidden by leaves,
Manathai parappumIt spreads its fragrance—
Perumai udaiyadhu mullaiSuch is the pride of the jasmine flower.
Ilaigal maraithumEven when hidden by leaves,
Manathai parappumIt spreads its fragrance—
Perumai udaiyadhu mullaiSuch is the pride of the jasmine flower.
Oruvan pugazhai oruvan maraithuBy hiding another's fame,
Uyarum varalaarillaiThere is no history of anyone rising high.
Male
Sooriyan pogum dhisaiyinil ellaamIn whichever direction the sun moves,
Valaiyum sooriyakaandhiThe sunflower bends towards it.
Naeriya vazhiyil nidhamum nadandhaalIf one walks daily on the righteous path,
Nenjukku nimmadhi saanthiThe heart finds peace and tranquility.
Male
Sudhandhira boomiyilIn this land of freedom,
Pala vagai janangalumThe various kinds of people,
Thottatthil malarndha malargalAre like flowers bloomed in a garden.
Thottatthu malargalin aayiram nirangalumThe thousand colors of garden flowers,
Janangalin aayiram gunangalAre like the thousand qualities of people.
Ho… hoho… yaayaayaa… lalala laallaa…Ho… hoho… yaayaayaa… lalala laallaa…

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This philosophical song uses nature and botany as allegories to explain human character, ethics, and social harmony in a free nation. Lyricist Kannadasan compares the vast diversity of people to a vibrant garden where each flower possesses unique traits. He highlights that true human worth stems from integrity and selfless service, likening rare selfless leaders to the Kurinji flower that blooms once every twelve years.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Thottatthil malarndha malargal

Comparing society to a garden ('Ulagam avanadhu thottam') and people to diverse flowers blossoming in freedom.

Upamai (Simile)

Pannirandaandil oru murai malarum Kurinji malargalai polae

Comparing rare, selfless political leaders to the Kurinji flower that blooms once every 12 years.

Edukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Pannirandaandil oru murai malarum / Thannalam illaa thalaivargal pirappaar

Rhyming second consonants across lines ('Ilaigal' and 'Manathai' / 'Pannirandaandil' and 'Thannalam').

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by the legendary lyricist Kannadasan for the 1972 Tamil film 'Dharmam Engey', the song uses botanical metaphors—such as the rare Kurinji flower, the hidden jasmine, and the sun-following sunflower—to deliver moral reflections on leadership, honesty, and humility.

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