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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thanthai Naan Inge

From Neethibathi · 1983

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
Gangai Amaran
Movie name
Neethibathi
Movie release year
1983
Lyrics added on
14 Jun 2022

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Thanthai naan ngae needh devanthaan angae
Thanthai naan ngae needh devanthaan angae
Naanezhuthum theerppu naayagann vaakku
Naanezhuthum theerppu naayagann vaakku
Needhyin mun nee yaar naan yaar sol
Who ever it may be i live for justice
Thanthai naan ngae needh devanthaan angae
Naanum azhavillayaa kanneer vdavllayaa
Thanthai manamillaiyaa paasam enakkillayaa
Kadamayin pidiylae
Kadamayin pidiylae kaithyaai nirkkiraen
Kangalai kattiyae unmaya paarkkiraen
Kuttramo adhu kuttramo no….no….no….
Thanthai naan ngae needh devanthaan angae
Naanezhuthum theerppu naayagann vaakku
Needhyin mun nee yaar naan yaar sol
Andru arichchanthiran pilla vilai ponathum
Sudala avan kaakkavae thunba nilaiyaanathum
Andru thaai sollaiyum karnan yaerkaathathum
Sontha annan thambi endru paarkkaathathum
Andru magudam thannai bharathan soodaathathum
Annan thiruppaathugai kondu arasaandathum
Unmaiya pottravae saththyam kaakkavae
Allavo… sollungal sollungal
Thanthai naan ngae needh devanthaan angae
Naanezhuthum theerppu naayagann vaakku
Needhyin mun nee yaar naan yaar sol
I am a father here, but the God of Justice rules there.
I am a father here, but the God of Justice rules there.
The judgment I deliver is the word of the Almighty.
The judgment I deliver is the word of the Almighty.
Before justice, who are you and who am I? Tell me!
Whoever it may be, I live for justice!
I am a father here, but the God of Justice rules there.
Did I not weep too? Did I not shed tears?
Do I not have a father's heart? Do I feel no affection?
In the tight grip of duty...
In the tight grip of duty, I stand as a captive.
Blindfolded, I search for the truth.
Is that a crime? Is it a crime? No... no... no...
I am a father here, but the God of Justice rules there.
The judgment I deliver is the word of the Almighty.
Before justice, who are you and who am I? Tell me!
When King Harishchandra saw his own child sold away,
And suffered bitter sorrow guarding the cremation ground,
When Karna refused even his own mother's plea,
And showed no favour to his own brothers on the battlefield,
When Bharata refused to wear the royal crown,
And ruled the kingdom placing his elder brother's sacred sandals on the throne,
Was it not all to honour truth and uphold righteousness?
Was it not? Tell me... tell me!
I am a father here, but the God of Justice rules there.
The judgment I deliver is the word of the Almighty.
Before justice, who are you and who am I? Tell me, tell me, tell me!
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This powerful song from Neethibathi portrays a judge agonizing over his solemn duty versus his emotional affection as a father. While his heart aches with parental grief and love, he realizes that justice is supreme and blind to personal ties. He asserts that a judicial verdict is sacred and unyielding. To justify his rigid stance of putting duty above personal relationships, he cites timeless mythological figures: King Harishchandra who sacrificed his family for truth, Karna who remained loyal to his principles over blood brotherhood, and Bharata who governed via Rama's sandals out of righteousness. The song underlines that no individual is above law and duty.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Mythological Allusion (Purana Uvamai)

“Andru arichchanthiran pilla vilai ponathum”

References epic figures like Harishchandra, Karna, and Bharata to establish historical and ethical precedent for prioritizing righteousness over personal love.

Rhetorical Question

“Needhyin mun nee yaar naan yaar sol”

Uses questions to highlight the judge's internal conflict and challenge the listener on the absolute nature of justice.

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

“Kadamayin pidiylae kaithyaai nirkkiraen”

Compares being bound by legal duty to standing as a prisoner in duty's grasp.

Anaphora

“Andru arichchanthiran pilla vilai ponathum”

Repetition of 'Andru' at the start of consecutive lines in the charanam to build a rhythmic list of legendary examples.

Did you know?

Trivia

Neethibathi (1983) stars Nadigar Thilagam Sivaji Ganesan as a stern judge. This song, composed by Gangai Amaran with lyrics by Vaali, features legendary singer T. M. Soundararajan giving his iconic voice to Sivaji Ganesan in one of their memorable late-career legal-drama collaborations.

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