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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Theepantham Yenthungada Ondru

From Kungumam Kathai Solgirathu · 1978

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singer
M. S. Vishwanathan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Kungumam Kathai Solgirathu1978

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Theeppantham yaethungudaaLight the fire torches, my friends!
Ondru searthingu vaarungadaaGather together and come here!
Theeppantham yaethungudaaLight the fire torches, my friends!
Ondru searthingu vaarungadaaGather together and come here!
Male
Thaaimaikku pangam endraalIf motherhood is threatened or disgraced,
Ulagai thanal kondu vaattungadaaScorch the world with embers and heat!
Thaaimaikku pangam endraalIf motherhood is threatened or disgraced,
Ulagai thanal kondu vaattungadaaScorch the world with embers and heat!
Thanal kondu vaattungadaaScorch it with live embers!
Male
Theeppantham yaethungudaaLight the fire torches, my friends!
Ondru searthingu vaarungadaaGather together and come here!
Male
Naadu petra sudhanthiramoDid our nation gain independence?
Nattanadu nisiyiniyileOnly in the dead of the midnight!
Naadu pettra sudhanthiramoDid our nation gain independence?
Nattanadu nisiyiniyileOnly in the dead of the midnight!
Male
Vaazhvu thantha thaaikulamoThe community of mothers who gave us life,
Vaaduthingae pasiyinilaeIs suffering here in extreme hunger!
Vaazhvu thantha thaaikulamoThe community of mothers who gave us life,
Vaaduthingae pasiyinilaeIs suffering here in extreme hunger!
Male
Paazhukazhum kuzhanthaiyondruA child crying for milk,
Vanjiyaval madiyinileIs lying in that young woman's lap.
Paazhukazhum kuzhanthaiyondruA child crying for milk,
Vanjiyaval madiyinileIs lying in that young woman's lap.
Male
Paavi makkal vilai kodupaarSinful people offer money for her,
Dharmam endra peyarinileIn the guise of righteousness and charity!
Paavi makkal vilai kodupaarSinful people offer money for her,
Dharmam endra peyarinileIn the guise of righteousness and charity!
Male
Theeppantham yaethungudaaLight the fire torches, my friends!
Ondru searthingu vaarungadaaGather together and come here!
Male
Thaaimaikku pangam endralIf motherhood is threatened or disgraced,
Ulagai thanal kondu vaattungadaaScorch the world with embers and heat!
Thanal kondu vaattungadaaScorch it with live embers!
Male
Nedhiyenna dharumamennaWhat is justice, what is virtue?
Evanukku puriyuthadaaWho among them understands it?
Nedhiyenna dharumamennaWhat is justice, what is virtue?
Evanukku puriyuthadaaWho among them understands it?
Male
Maanamenna roshamennaWhat is honour, what is self-respect?
Maranthingu thiriyuthadaaForgetting all, they wander around here!
Maanamenna roshamennaWhat is honour, what is self-respect?
Maranthingu thiriyuthadaaForgetting all, they wander around here!
Male
Kattumillai kaavalillaiThere is no control, there is no protection,
Solvatharkkum vetkamadaaIt is shameful even to speak about it!
Kattumillai kaavalillaiThere is no control, there is no protection,
Solvatharkkum vetkamadaaIt is shameful even to speak about it!
Male
Kasukendru pennai thottaalIf anyone touches a woman for money,
Kayirendai vettungadaaChop off both those wicked hands!
Kasukendru pennai thottaalIf anyone touches a woman for money,
Kayirendai vettungadaaChop off both those wicked hands!
Male
Theeppantham yaethungudaaLight the fire torches, my friends!
Ondru searthingu vaarungadaaGather together and come here!
Male
Thaaimaikku pangam endralIf motherhood is threatened or disgraced,
Ulagai thanal kondu vaattungadaaScorch the world with embers and heat!
Thanal kondu vaattungadaaScorch it with live embers!
Male
Santhaikku vanthathadaaIt has come to the open market,
Ungal maanam ingu kadai sarakkuYour honor is now a commodity on display!
Santhaikku vanthathadaaIt has come to the open market,
Ungal maanam ingu kadai sarakkuYour honor is now a commodity on display!
Male
Oru sallikku virukuthadaaSelling for mere pennies,
Nalla thaaimaiyenum kulavilakkuIs the sacred lamp of good motherhood!
Oru sallikku virukuthadaaSelling for mere pennies,
Nalla thaaimaiyenum kulavilakkuIs the sacred lamp of good motherhood!
Male
Pennenna vilai porulaaIs a woman a priced commodity?
Unga pechu mattum thirukuralaaAre your speeches alone holy like Thirukkural?
Pennenna vilai porulaaIs a woman a priced commodity?
Unga pechu mattum thirukuralaaAre your speeches alone holy like Thirukkural?
Male
Nenjukku needhiyellaamIs righteousness of the heart,
Intha neesarukku kavasangalaa…Just an armor for these wretched villains?
Nenjukku needhiyellaamIs righteousness of the heart,
Intha neesarukku kavasangalaa…Just an armor for these wretched villains?
Male
Theeppantham yaethungudaaLight the fire torches, my friends!
Ondru searthingu vaarungadaaGather together and come here!
Male
Thaaimaikku pangam endralIf motherhood is threatened or disgraced,
Ulagai thanal kondu vaattungadaaScorch the world with embers and heat!
Thanal kondu vaattungadaaScorch it with live embers!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Theeppantham yaethungudaa' is a fiery social protest anthem delivered with raw emotion. It serves as a clarion call to the public to unite and light torches against societal evils, hypocrisies, and the oppression of women and mothers who are driven into dire poverty. The lyricist sharply criticizes the false morality of the elite who preach justice while exploiting the vulnerable.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (உருவகம்)

Ungal maanam ingu kadai sarakku

Compares motherhood to a sacred family lamp ('thaaimaiyenum kulavilakku') and societal honor to market merchandise ('kadai sarakku').

Rhetorical Question (வினா அணி)

Pennenna vilai porulaa / Unga pechu mattum thirukuralaa

Uses sharp questioning to challenge societal hypocrisy and false righteousness.

Ethukai (எதுகை - Second letter rhyming)

Nedhiyenna dharumamenna / Maanamenna roshamenna

Rhyming of the second consonant across lines such as 'Nedhi' and 'Maanam', or 'Kattu' and 'Kasu'.

Monaai (மோனை - Initial sound alliteration)

Naadu petra sudhanthiramo / Nattanadu nisiyiniyile

Matching initial sounds in words like 'Naadu' and 'Nattanadu'.

Did you know?

Trivia

This powerful song was composed and sung by M. S. Viswanathan himself. His high-octane, passionate vocal style was uniquely suited for philosophical and social protest tracks in Tamil cinema during this era. The hard-hitting lyrics were written by the acclaimed poet Pulamaipithan, known for his deep mastery of classical Tamil poetic forms and sharp political commentary.

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