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Isaimozhi
Malaikkallan album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Thamizhan Endroru Inam

From Malaikkallan · 1954

Lyricist
Ramalingam Pillai
Singer
Soundararajan
Music director
S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
Movie name
Malaikkallan
Movie release year
1954
Lyrics added on
19 Aug 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Tamizhan endroru inamundu
Tamizhan endroru inamundu
Thaniyae avarukoru gunamundu
Thaniyae avarukoru gunamundu
Amizhtham avanathu mozhiyaagum
Andrae avanathu vazhiyaagum
Andrae avanathu vazhiyaagum
Kalaigal yaavilum vallavanaam
Kattravar evarukkum nallavanaam
Kalaigal yaavilum vallavanaam
Kattravar evarukkum nallavanaam
Nilai porul parpala adaiyaalam
Nindrana innum udaiyonaam
Tamizhan endroru inamundu
Maanam perithena uyir viduvaan
Matravarukkaaga thuyar paduvaan
Maanam perithena uyir viduvaan
Matravarukkaaga thuyar paduvaan
Thaanam vaangida koosiduvaan
Tharuvathu melena pesiduvaan
Thaanam vaangida koosiduvaan
Tharuvathu melena pesiduvaan
Tamizhan endroru inamundu
Yaasigal thozhuthal undeninum
Samarasam naattinil kandavanaam
Samarasam naattinil kandavanaam
Needhiyum urimaiyum anniyarkkum
Nirai kuraiyaamal panninavan
Tamizhan endroru inamundu
Thaniyae avarukoru gunamundu gunamundu
There is a race called the Tamils,
There is a race called the Tamils,
They have a unique character of their own,
They have a unique character of their own.
Sweet as nectar is his language,
Timeless indeed is his way,
Timeless indeed is his way.
He is skilled in every form of art,
He is a true friend to all who are learned,
He is skilled in every form of art,
He is a true friend to all who are learned.
Many enduring treasures and monuments
Still stand today to show all that he owns.
There is a race called the Tamils.
He will lay down his life for honor,
He feels the sorrow of others,
He will lay down his life for honor,
He feels the sorrow of others.
He is shy to accept any charity,
He proclaims that giving is far greater,
He is shy to accept any charity,
He proclaims that giving is far greater.
There is a race called the Tamils.
Though there are beggars who bow and plead,
He built a land of peace and equality,
He built a land of peace and equality.
Justice and rights, even to strangers,
He granted in full without ever falling short.
There is a race called the Tamils,
They have a unique character of their own, of their own.
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This iconic anthem, written by Namakkal Kavignar V. Ramalingam Pillai, celebrates the rich identity, high moral standing, and cultural heritage of the Tamil people. It highlights core Tamil values such as linguistic pride, artistic excellence, unwavering self-respect, deep empathy for others, and a preference for charity over receiving alms.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

“Amizhtham avanathu mozhiyaagum”

Compares the Tamil language directly to 'Amizhtham' (divine nectar), emphasizing its supreme sweetness and richness.

Initial Alliteration (Moonaai)

“Tamizhan endroru inamundu / Thaniyae avarukoru gunamundu”

Repetition of the initial 'Ta' sound across consecutive lines ('Tamizhan' and 'Thaniyae').

Second Letter Rhyme (Edugai)

“Maanam perithena uyir viduvaan / Thaanam vaangida koosiduvaan”

Repetition of the second consonant sound 'na' in 'Maanam' and 'Thaanam'.

Refrain (Anaphora)

“Tamizhan endroru inamundu”

The line 'Tamizhan endroru inamundu' repeats throughout the poem as a central thesis reinforcing Tamil pride.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Namakkal Kavignar V. Ramalingam Pillai, a prominent Gandhian poet and freedom fighter who was named the first Poet Laureate of Tamil Nadu. The poem was featured in the 1954 blockbuster film 'Malaikkallan' starring M. G. Ramachandran (MGR), which became the first Tamil film to win a President's Silver Medal.

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