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Isaimozhi
Amuthavalli album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Thathuva Kalaiyudan Vithagar

From Amuthavalli · 1959

Lyricist
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
Singers
T. R. Mahalingam, S. C. Krishnan
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Movie name
Amuthavalli
Movie release year
1959
Lyrics added on
15 Aug 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Thathuva kalaiyudan vidhagar paniyattrum
Sangam valartha thamizhae
Thanmaana thamizhagam sanmaanam pettrida
Thani pugazh konda thamizhae
Mathaga thimir migum anniyan unaiyae
Madhiyaadhu edhir kaalamoo
Malaiyodu thalai modhum
Mamadhaiyin uruvathai
Marainthoda seivaai thamizhae…ae….
Tharindhina tharindhina thirandhinna
Tharindhina tharindhina thirandhinna
Iyal isai naadaga kalaiyaalae
Igam meedhil seiyum thiyaagam
Idhanaal yaavarum adaivaar mogam
Inaindhidum thamizh suvai paaraai
Thannaalae thaan ketta thanthana kalainganae
Thalaiyai kanakidaathae
Kannaana ilakkiya kaadhaliyai kaanadha
Kasadanae kalangidadhae
Annaalilae silar aaga endraarena
Agandhaiyaal alaindhidadhae
Innaalilae engal iyal isai kalaiyai
Nee elithaaga ennidaathae
O Tamil, where learned scholars labor in philosophical art,
O Tamil, fostered by the Sangam (ancient literary academy)!
To bring honor to our proud, self-respecting Tamil land,
O Tamil, blessed with unique and unmatched fame!
Can an arrogant outsider blinded by conceit
dare to disrespect and oppose you in these times?
Like someone bashing their head against a mountain,
that embodiment of stubborn pride—
you will make it flee and vanish, O Tamil!
Tharinthina tharinthina thiranthinaa
Tharinthina tharinthina thiranthinaa
Through the arts of literature, music, and drama,
is this selfless offering given to the world.
Because of this, everyone is held spellbound—
see the richness of Tamil blending within!
O singer ruined by your own foolish ways,
do not let your head swell with pride!
You who have never seen the precious muse of literature,
you ignorant fool, do not get flustered!
Just because a few people cheered you in the past,
do not wander around in sheer carelessness!
Today, our fine arts of literature and music—
do not take them so lightly!
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song is a impassioned tribute to the enduring glory, depth, and resilience of the Tamil language and its classical art forms (Mutthamizh—prose, music, and drama). It highlights how Tamil was carefully cultivated by ancient Sangam academies and scholars, instilling pride, self-respect, and renown across Tamil Nadu. The lyrics issue a stern warning to arrogant adversaries and foreign detractors who disrespect the language, comparing their pride to a fragile head crashing uselessly against a timeless mountain.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

“Thannaalae thaan ketta... / Kannaana ilakkiya...”

In lines 16, 18, 20, and 22 ('Thannaalae', 'Kannaana', 'Annaalilae', 'Innaalilae'), the second consonant cluster '-nna-' creates a strong rhythmic harmony across stanza lines.

Monai (Initial Consonance/Alliteration)

“Mathaga thimir migum anniyan unaiyae...”

Repetition of the 'Ma-' sound in lines 5-9 ('Mathaga', 'Madhiyaadhu', 'Malaiyodu', 'Mamadhaiyin', 'Marainthoda') drives rhythmic intensity and poetic emphasis.

Metaphor

“Malaiyodu thalai modhum mamadhaiyin uruvathai”

Comparing foolish hubris to a person crashing their head against a mountain ('Malaiyodu thalai modhum') emphasizes the absolute futility of opposing the timeless strength of Tamil.

Did you know?

Trivia

Featured in the 1959 film 'Amuthavalli', this musical sequence highlights the dynamic vocal clash typical of classical Tamil dramatic music. Composed by Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy with lyrics by Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass, singer-actor T. R. Mahalingam delivers high-pitched classical Tamil lyrics with characteristic dramatic gusto.

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