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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thendralodu Udan

From Rajaraja Chozhan · 1972

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. R. Mahalingam, Sivaji Ganesan
Music director
Kunnakudi Vaithiyanathan
Details
Rajaraja Chozhan1972

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
…………….....
Male
Thendralodu udan piranthaalShe was born along with the southern breeze,
Senthamizh pennaalThe lady of pure Tamil.
Thenmathurai kovililaeIn the temple of southern Madurai,
Sangam valarththaalShe nurtured the Tamil Sangam.
Male
Thanjaiyilae kudi pugunthuMoving her home to Tanjore,
Mangalam thanthaalShe bestowed auspiciousness.
Tharaniyellaam pugazh parappumSpreading her fame across the entire world,
Thaayena vanthaalShe arrived like a mother.
Tamizh thaayena vanthaalShe arrived as Mother Tamil.
Male
Thendralodu udan piranthaalShe was born along with the southern breeze,
Senthamizh pennaalThe lady of pure Tamil.
Thenmathurai kovililaeIn the temple of southern Madurai,
Sangam valarththaalShe nurtured the Tamil Sangam.
Male
Thendralodu udan piranthaalShe was born along with the southern breeze,
Senthamizh pennaalThe lady of pure Tamil.
Thenmathurai kovililaeIn the temple of southern Madurai,
Sangam valarththaalShe nurtured the Tamil Sangam.
Male
Thanjaiyilae kudi pugunthuMoving her home to Tanjore,
Mangalam thanthaalShe bestowed auspiciousness.
Thanjaiyilae kudi pugunthuMoving her home to Tanjore,
Mangalam thanthaalShe bestowed auspiciousness.
Tharaniyellaam pugazh parappumSpreading her fame across the entire world,
Thaayena vanthaalShe arrived like a mother.
Tharaniyellaam pugazh parappumSpreading her fame across the entire world,
Thaayena vanthaalShe arrived like a mother.
Tamizh thaayena vanthaalShe arrived as Mother Tamil.
Male
Manimudiyil tholkaappiyam veettrirukkumTolkappiyam rests atop her jeweled crown,
Thiruvadiyil silamposai paattisaikkumThe sound of anklets plays music at her holy feet.
Animuththu maalai ettiu thogaiyaagumThe fine pearl necklace is the Ettuthogai anthology,
Avan aatchi seiyum sengolaeThe scepter with which he rules,
Kuralaagum thirukuralaagumIs Thirukkural itself.
Male
Manimudiyil tholkaappiyam veettrirukkumTolkappiyam rests atop her jeweled crown,
Thiruvadiyil silamposai paattisaikkumThe sound of anklets plays music at her holy feet.
Male
Animuththu maalai ettu thogaiyaagumThe fine pearl necklace is the Ettuthogai anthology,
Animuththu maalai ettu thogaiyaagumThe fine pearl necklace is the Ettuthogai anthology,
Aatchi seiyum sengolae kuralaagumThe ruling scepter becomes the Thirukkural,
Avan aatchi seiyum sengolaeThe scepter with which he rules,
Kuralaagum thirukuralaagumIs Thirukkural itself.
Male
Pulavarellaam padaiththu vaiththa ilakkiyangalThe literature created by all the great poets,
Ponmaeni alangaara seethanagalAre dowry ornaments adorning her golden body.
Kalai mangai idhzh sinthum punnagaikkaeFor the smile blooming from the lips of the Goddess of Arts,
Vilaiyaethu thalai thaazhththiThere is no price; bowing our heads,
Vanangiduvom naam vanangiduvom…Let us worship her, yes, let us worship...
Male
Pulavarellaam padaiththu vaiththa ilakkiyangalThe literature created by all the great poets,
Ponmaeni alangaara seethanagalAre dowry ornaments adorning her golden body.
Kalai mangai idhzh sinthum punnagaikkaeFor the smile blooming from the lips of the Goddess of Arts,
Aa….aa…aa….aa….aa…..aa….aa…aaa….Aa....aa...aa....aa....aa.....aa....aa...aaa....
Kalai mangai idhzh sinthum punnagaikkaeFor the smile blooming from the lips of the Goddess of Arts,
Vilaiyaethu thalai thaazhththi vanangiduvomThere is no price; bowing our heads, let us worship.
Vilaiyaethu thalai thaazhththiThere is no price; bowing our heads,
Vanangiduvom naam vanangiduvom…Let us worship her, yes, let us worship...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from 'Rajaraja Chozhan' is a grand ode to Tamil Language, personified as a glorious divine mother (Tamizh Thai). Kannadasan poetically outlines the cultural geography and literary history of Tamil Nadu. Born with the soothing southern breeze (Thendral), she was nurtured at the Sangam academy in Madurai before taking residence in Tanjore, the heart of the Chola empire, bringing prosperity and global acclaim.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uruvagaimai (Metaphor / Personification)

Manimudiyil tholkaappiyam veettrirukkum / Thiruvadiyil silamposai paattisaikkum

Tamil is personified as a regal mother adorned with classic literary works: Tolkappiyam as her crown, Silappathikaram as tinkling anklets at her feet, and Ettuthogai as her pearl necklace.

Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Thendralodu / Senthamizh

Repetition of the second consonant 'n' across consecutive lines creates rhythmic flow.

Moonaal / Moonaai (Initial Alliteration)

Thanjaiyilae / Tharaniyellaam

Matching initial sounds across starting words in lines.

Did you know?

Trivia

Featured in India's first CinemaScope Tamil film 'Rajaraja Chozhan' (1973), this song highlights the glorious patronage of Tamil literature and art by Chola ruler Raja Raja I. It remains one of the most revered classical Tamil pride songs in South Indian cinema.

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