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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thamizh Anthem

From LKG · 2019

Lyricist
Pa. Vijay
Singers
P. Susheela, Vani Jairam
Music director
Leon James
Details
LKG2019

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Uyirae unnai thamizh enbathaShould I call you my life, Tamil?
Thamizhae unnai uyir enbathaShould I call you my Tamil, Life?
Isaiyil mei maranthaaiYou forgot yourself in music,
Ezhuthil uyir mei kalanthaaiIn writing, you blended soul and body (vowels and consonants),
Male
Kumari kandam mudhalFrom the lost continent of Kumari Kandam,
Andam varai needhan niranithaaiTo the universe, you alone pervade.
Male
Thamizh maganae vaadaCome, son of Tamil!
Thalai nimirnthu vaada…aa…Come with your head held high... ah...
Thamizh magalae vaa vaaCome, daughter of Tamil, come come!
Tharani vella vaa vaa…aa….Come to conquer the world... ah...
Male
Thamizh maganae vaadaCome, son of Tamil!
All :Thunivodu vaadaAll: Come with courage!
Thuyar theerka vaada…Come to end the sorrow...
Male :Thalai nimirnthu vaada..aaa…Male: Come with your head held high... ah...
All :Panivodu vaadaAll: Come with humility!
Padaikondu vaada….Come with an army...
Male :Thamizh magalae vaa vaaMale: Come, daughter of Tamil, come come!
All :Thunivodu vaadaAll: Come with courage!
Thuyar theerka vaada…Come to end the sorrow...
Male :Tharani vella vaa vaa…aa….Male: Come to conquer the world... ah...
All :Panivodu vaadaAll: Come with humility!
Padaikondu vaada….Come with an army...
Male :Aaa….aaa….aaa….aaa…Male: Vocalizing (Aaa....aaa...)
Aaa…aaa…………Vocalizing (Aaa...aaa...)
Female
Eerayiram aandaagiyumEven after two thousand years,
Thamizh tharaniyai aalumTamil rules the world,
Idhu ulagengilum paraisatriyaProclaimed across the entire world,
Uyar enam engal eezhamOur Eelam is an exalted race.
Female
Kallanaiyil patta katrumThe wind that touches Kallanai dam,
Kaveriyil kodi yetrumHoists the flag of victory over Kaveri,
Olaisuvadikul ulla ariviyalThe scientific wisdom stored within palm-leaf manuscripts,
PaarpotrumIs revered by the world.
Singa inam endrum seerumThe lion breed always roars,
Jallikattu sonna veeramThe valor demonstrated by Jallikattu,
Veeram mattumellaNot just valor alone,
Kadhal solla solla thean oorumWhen speaking of love, honey drips continuously.
Male
Imaiyam adhan mudiyilAt the peak of the Himalayas,
Peyar ezhuthiya thamizhanThe Tamilian who inscribed his name,
Ulagil endha uyirkkumTo any living soul in the world,
Sendru uthavidum manidhanIs the human who steps forward to help.
Male
Thamizh maganae vaadaCome, son of Tamil!
All :Thunivodu vaadaAll: Come with courage!
Thuyar theerka vaada…Come with an army...
Male :Thalai nimirnthu vaada..aaa…Male: Come with your head held high... ah...
All :Panivodu vaadaAll: Come with humility!
Padaikondu vaada….Come with an army...
Male :Thamizh magalae vaa vaaMale: Come, daughter of Tamil, come come!
All :Thunivodu vaadaAll: Come with courage!
Thuyar theerka vaada…Come to end the sorrow...
Male :Tharani vella vaa vaa…aa….Male: Come to conquer the world... ah...
All :Panivodu vaadaAll: Come with humility!
Padaikondu vaada….Come with an army...
Male :Aaa….aaa….aaa….aaa…Male: Vocalizing (Aaa....aaa...)
Aaa…aaa…………Vocalizing (Aaa...aaa...)
Male
Thamizh maganae vaadaCome, son of Tamil!
Thalai nimirnthu vaada…Come with your head held high...
Thamizh magalae vaa vaaCome, daughter of Tamil, come come!
Tharani vella vaa vaa…Come to conquer the world, come come...
Male
Thamizh maganae vaadaCome, son of Tamil!
Thalai nimirnthu vaada…Come with your head held high...
Thamizh magalae vaa vaaCome, daughter of Tamil, come come!
Tharani vella vaa vaa…aa….Come to conquer the world, come come... ah...
Female :Haa….aaa….aaa….aa…Female: Vocalization (Haa....aaa...)
Aaaaa….aaa….aaa……Vocalization (Aaaaa....aaa...)

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Thamizh Magane from the movie LKG is a rousing anthem celebrating Tamil heritage, language, and cultural identity. It urges Tamil youth, both men and women, to unite with courage, humility, and pride to address social struggles and achieve global success. The lyricist invokes iconic symbols of Tamil history including the ancient continent of Kumari Kandam, the architectural marvel of Kallanai Dam, scientific knowledge recorded on ancient palm-leaf manuscripts, the tradition of Jallikattu, and the historic expansion to the Himalayas. Beyond bravery and ancient lineage, the song highlights the inherent compassion, love, and helpful nature of the Tamil people.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Linguistic Wordplay / Metaphor

Ezhuthil uyir mei kalanthaai

Plays on Tamil grammar terminology where vowels are 'Uyir' (life) and consonants are 'Mei' (body), metaphorically describing Tamil literacy as the harmonious union of soul and body.

Historical Allusion

Kumari kandam mudhal / Andam varai needhan niranithaai

References the legendary lost continent of Kumari Kandam to highlight the ancient roots and cosmic expansion of Tamil identity.

Cultural Imagery

Kallanaiyil patta katrum / Kaveriyil kodi yetrum

Invokes Kallanai (one of the oldest water-regulator structures in the world built by Karikala Chola) and Kaveri as symbols of engineering excellence and regional pride.

Antithesis / Juxtaposition

Veeram mattumella / Kadhal solla solla thean oorum

Contrasts fierce valor (Jallikattu/lions) with gentleness and sweet love to portray a complete, balanced Tamil ethos.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Leon James for the 2019 political satire LKG starring RJ Balaji, this song served as a promotional cultural anthem tapping into the wave of Tamil pride and youth activism that gained momentum following the 2017 Jallikattu protests.

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