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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thangangale Naalai

From Ennaipol Oruvan · 1978

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Ennaipol Oruvan1978

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Thangangalae naalai thalaivargalOh precious golden children, you are tomorrow's leaders
Nam thaayum mozhiyum kangalOur mother and mother tongue are like our two eyes
Singangalae vaazhum dheivangaleOh brave lion-like children, living deities
Nam dhesam kaappavar neengalYou are the ones who will safeguard our nation
Male
Thangangalae naalai thalaivargalOh precious golden children, you are tomorrow's leaders
Nam thaayum mozhiyum kangalOur mother and mother tongue are like our two eyes
Singangalae vaazhum dheivangaleOh brave lion-like children, living deities
Nam dhesam kaappavar neengalYou are the ones who will safeguard our nation
Male
Nam thathaa gandhi mama neruYou are the treasures sought and cherished
Thediya selvangalBy our grandfather Gandhi and uncle Nehru
Kalvi saalai thantha yaezhai thalaivanaiRemember daily the leader of the poor
Dhinamum ennungalWho established schools and provided education
Chorus
Nam thathaa gandhi mama neruYou are the treasures sought and cherished
Thediya selvangalBy our grandfather Gandhiand uncle Nehru
Kalvi saalai thantha yaezhai thalaivanaiRemember daily the leader of the poor
Dhinamum ennungalWho established schools and provided education
Chorus
…………………
Male
Aram seiyya virumbu endraalIf you desire to do good deeds
Avvai tharumam seiyyungalFollow the virtues taught by saint Avvaiyar
Anbe deivam endraarElders declared that love itself is God
Periyor anbudan vaazhungalSo live your lives filled with love
Male
Aram seiyya virumbu endraalIf you desire to do good deeds
Avvai tharumam seiyyungalFollow the virtues taught by saint Avvaiyar
Anbe deivam endraarElders declared that love itself is God
Periyor anbudan vaazhungalSo live your lives filled with love
Male
Yaarum theemai seithaalumEven if others commit evil against you
Neengal nanmai seiyyungalAlways respond by doing good
Yaarum poiyyai sonnaalumEven if others speak lies
Neegal meiyyai sollungalAlways speak the absolute truth
Nermaiyaai vaazhvathilIn living a life of pure honesty
Tholviyae illaiyaeThere is never any defeat
Male
Thangangalae naalai thalaivargalOh precious golden children, you are tomorrow's leaders
Nam thaayum mozhiyum kangalOur mother and mother tongue are like our two eyes
Singangalae vaazhum dheivangaleOh brave lion-like children, living deities
Nam dhesam kaappavar neengalYou are the ones who will safeguard our nation
Chorus
Nam thathaa gandhi mama neruYou are the treasures sought and cherished
Thediya selvangalBy our grandfather Gandhi and uncle Nehru
Kalvi saalai thantha yaezhai thalaivanaiRemember daily the leader of the poor
Dhinamum ennungalWho established schools and provided education
Chorus
…………………
Male
Koodum uravu kootturavendruForming bonds through cooperation
Ondraai vaazhungalLive together as one united family
Koodiya piragu kuttram kaanumDiscard the practice of finding flaws
Kolgaiyai thallungalAfter uniting together
Male
Koodum uravu kootturavendruForming bonds through cooperation
Ondraai vaazhungalLive together as one united family
Koodiya piragu kuttram kaanumDiscard the practice of finding flaws
Kolgaiyai thallungalAfter uniting together
Male
Endrum ondrey seiyyungalAlways do the right thing
Ondrum nandrae seiyyungalDo good deeds wholeheartedly
Nandrum indrae seiyyungalDo good things right today without delay
Neegal edhilum vellungalTriumph in everything you undertake
Veeranin vaazhvilaeIn the victorious life of a brave soul
Tholviyae illaiyae….There is no such thing as failure
Male
Thangangalae naalai thalaivargalOh precious golden children, you are tomorrow's leaders
Nam thaayum mozhiyum kangalOur mother and mother tongue are like our two eyes
Singangalae vaazhum dheivangaleOh brave lion-like children, living deities
Nam dhesam kaappavar neengalYou are the ones who will safeguard our nation
Male
Nam thathaa gandhi mama neruYou are the treasures sought and cherished
Thediya selvangalBy our grandfather Gandhi and uncle Nehru
Kalvi saalai thantha yaezhai thalaivanaiRemember daily the leader of the poor
Dhinamum ennungalWho established schools and provided education
Chorus
Nam thathaa gandhi mama neruYou are the treasures sought and cherished
Thediya selvangalBy our grandfather Gandhi and uncle Nehru
Kalvi saalai thantha yaezhai thalaivanaiRemember daily the leader of the poor
Dhinamum ennungalWho established schools and provided education

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This inspiring song from 'Ennaipol Oruvan' (1978) serves as a moral guide and motivational anthem addressed to children and youth. The protagonist addresses the young generation as the future leaders and protectors of the nation, emphasizing that moral principles, truth, love, and unity are paramount to building a strong character and society. It pays homage to visionary national leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and K. Kamaraj (referred to as the poor leader who gave schools).

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagandhal)

Thangangalae naalai thalaivargal

Children are metaphorically addressed as 'Thangangal' (Gold) and 'Singangal' (Lions), representing their innocence, high value, and courage.

Simile / Analogy

Nam thaayum mozhiyum kangal

Mother and mother tongue are equated to 'kangal' (eyes), underscoring their vital importance to one's existence.

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyming)

Endrum ondrey seiyyungal / Ondrum nandrae seiyyungal / Nandrum indrae seiyyungal

Rhyming of the second letter 'n' in 'Endrum', 'Ondrum', and 'Nandrum'.

Alliteration (Monaai)

Aram seiyya virumbu endraal / Avvai tharumam seiyyungal

Repetition of initial consonants or vowels across words ('Aram', 'Avvai', 'Anbe').

Did you know?

Trivia

The line 'Kalvi saalai thantha yaezhai thalaivanai' explicitly honors Former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu K. Kamaraj, known for introducing the Midday Meal Scheme and revolutionizing free school education across the state. The song features M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) in one of his final films before becoming Chief Minister full-time.

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