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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thamizh Thirunaadu

From Kalvanin Kadhali -(1955) · 1955

Lyricist
Kavimani Desigavinayagam Pillai
Singers
M. L. Vasanthakumari, N. L. Ganasaraswathi
Music director
G. Govindarajulu Naidu
Details
Kalvanin Kadhali -(1955)1955

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
Tamizh thirunaadu thannai pettraThe sacred Tamil land that gave birth to us,
Engal thaayendru kummiyadi pappaClap hands in Kummi dance, my little girl, calling her our mother.
Tamizh thirunaadu thannai pettraThe sacred Tamil land that gave birth to us,
Engal thaayendru kummiyadi pappaClap hands in Kummi dance, my little girl, calling her our mother.
Chorus
Amizhthil iniyathadi pappaIt is sweeter than heavenly nectar, my little girl,
Amizhthil iniyathadi pappaIt is sweeter than heavenly nectar, my little girl,
Nam aandrorgal dhesamadi pappaIt is the land of our noble ancestors, my little girl.
Chorus
Thunbam nerungi vantha pothumEven when sorrow approaches us closely,
Naam sornthu vidalaagaathu pappaWe must not become disheartened or tired, my little girl.
Thunbam nerungi vantha pothumEven when sorrow approaches us closely,
Naam sornthu vidalaagaathu pappaWe must not become disheartened or tired, my little girl.
Chorus
Anbu miguntha dheivam unduThere is a God filled with supreme love,
Anbu miguntha dheivam unduThere is a God filled with supreme love,
Thunbam aththanaiyum pokki vidum pappaWho will eradicate all of our sorrows, my little girl.
Chorus
Uyirkalidaththil anbu vendumOne must show love towards all living beings,
Dheivam unmaiyendru thaanarithal vendumOne must realize that God is the absolute truth,
Uyirkalidaththil anbu vendumOne must show love towards all living beings,
Dheivam unmaiyendru thaanarithal vendumOne must realize that God is the absolute truth,
Chorus
Vairamudaiya nenju vendumOne must possess a resolute heart like a diamond,
Vairamudaiya nenju vendumOne must possess a resolute heart like a diamond,
Idhu vaazhum muraimaiyadi pappaThis is the righteous way to live, my little girl.
Chorus
Tamizh thirunaadu thannai pettraThe sacred Tamil land that gave birth to us,
Engal thaayendru kummiyadi pappaClap hands in Kummi dance, my little girl, calling her our mother.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic folk-style song is addressed to a young girl ('pappa') as a guide to life, patriotism, and moral strength. It praises the Tamil motherland as a sacred realm sweeter than nectar and built by wise ancestors, urging children to celebrate their heritage with joy and pride.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Apostrophe / Direct Address

Engal thaayendru kummiyadi pappa

The entire poem continuously addresses a young girl using 'pappa', making moral instruction personal and affectionate.

Metaphor

Amizhthil iniyathadi pappa

The land and culture are compared to 'Amizhthu' (divine nectar) to highlight sweetness and invaluable worth.

Metaphor

Vairamudaiya nenju vendum

A courageous, unbreakable human spirit is metaphorically compared to a diamond ('Vairam').

Ethukai (Tamil Second-Letter Rhyme)

Tamizh thirunaadu thannai pettra / Amizhthil iniyathadi pappa

Rhyming of the second consonant in lines, such as 'Tamizh' and 'Amizhthil'.

Did you know?

Trivia

While often mistaken for Subramania Bharati's poetry due to the use of 'pappa' (child), this poem was actually penned by Kavimani Desigavinayagam Pillai. It was featured in the 1955 film 'Kalvanin Kadhali' starring Sivaji Ganesan, set to music by G. Govindarajulu Naidu and sung by Carnatic legends M. L. Vasanthakumari and N. L. Ganasaraswathi.

Keep listening

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