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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thingal Mudi Soodum Malai

From Maalaiyitta Mangai · 1958

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. R. Mahalingam
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Details
Maalaiyitta Mangai1958

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Thingal mudi soodum malaiThe mountain crowned by the moon,
Thendral vilaiyaadum malaiThe mountain where the gentle breeze plays,
Pongaruvi veezhum malaiThe mountain where gushing waterfalls cascade,
Engal malaiyaeIt is our mountain!
Male
Thingal mudi soodum malaiThe mountain crowned by the moon,
Thendral vilaiyaadum malaiThe mountain where the gentle breeze plays,
Pongaruvi veezhum malaiThe mountain where gushing waterfalls cascade,
Engal malaiyaeIt is our mountain!
Male
Sangoliththu murasu kottumResounding with the conch shell and beating drums,
Thamizhar kulam vaazhum malai..The mountain where the Tamil lineage lives..
Aaaa…aaa…aaa….aa….[Vocalizing]
Aaa…aaa…aaa…aa….aa…[Vocalizing]
Sangoliththu murasu kottumResounding with the conch shell and beating drums,
Thamizhar kulam vaazhum malai..The mountain where the Tamil lineage lives..
Male
Thandhu thandhu perumai pettraHaving gained glory through boundless giving,
Paariyin parambhu malaiIt is King Paari's Parambu mountain!
Thandhu thandhu perumai pettraHaving gained glory through boundless giving,
Paariyin parambhu malaiIt is King Paari's Parambu mountain!
Male
Thingal mudi soodum malaiThe mountain crowned by the moon,
Thendral vilaiyaadum malaiThe mountain where the gentle breeze plays,
Pongaruvi veezhum malaiThe mountain where gushing waterfalls cascade,
Engal malaiyaeIt is our mountain!
Male
Suttri indha malaiyinaiyaeEven if this mountain is surrounded
Muttrugai ittaalumAnd placed under siege,
Thollai oru anuvum illai ariveeraeKnow that not an atom of trouble will affect us!
Suttri indha malaiyinaiyaeEven if this mountain is surrounded
Muttrugai ittaalumAnd placed under siege,
Thollai oru anuvum illai ariveeraeKnow that not an atom of trouble will affect us!
Male
Muttru kadhir nell eduppomWe will harvest fully ripened paddy grains,
Moongililae uyir pizhaippomWe will sustain our life on bamboo seeds,
Mudiyudai moovendhar ariveerooDo the crowned Three Kings know this?
Muttru kadhir nell eduppomWe will harvest fully ripened paddy grains,
Moongililae uyir pizhaippomWe will sustain our life on bamboo seeds,
Mudiyudai moovendhar ariveeroo…oo…Do the crowned Three Kings know this?
Male
Thingal mudi soodum malaiThe mountain crowned by the moon,
Thendral vilaiyaadum malaiThe mountain where the gentle breeze plays,
Pongaruvi veezhum malaiThe mountain where gushing waterfalls cascade,
Engal malaiyaeIt is our mountain!
Male
Kodi valli kizhangeduthuDigging out sweet yam tubers from the vines,
Kulaiyudan pazham parithuPlucking bunches of ripe fruits,
Kodi valli kizhangeduthuDigging out sweet yam tubers from the vines,
Kulaiyudan pazham parithuPlucking bunches of ripe fruits,
Konjum malar thaeneduthuGathering honey from sweet blossoms,
Ungalukkum virundhu veippomWe will prepare a feast for you as well!
Konjum malar thaeneduthuGathering honey from sweet blossoms,
Ungalukkum virundhu veippomWe will prepare a feast for you as well!
Male
Padai kondu vandhavaraeO ye who have come with an invading army,
Pagaimaiyai maranthu vittuForget your enmity!
Aaa …aaa….aaa….aa….[Vocalizing]
Aaa….aa…aa…aa…aa…aaa…[Vocalizing]
Aa….aa.a.aa…aaa….aaa..[Vocalizing]
Padai kondu vandhavaraeO ye who have come with an invading army,
Pagaimaiyai maranthu vittuForget your enmity!
Thanjam endru neerum vandhaalIf you come seeking refuge in peace,
Porul peralaamYou too shall receive bountiful gifts!
Male
Thingal mudi soodum malaiThe mountain crowned by the moon,
Thendral vilaiyaadum malaiThe mountain where the gentle breeze plays,
Pongaruvi veezhum malaiThe mountain where gushing waterfalls cascade,
Engal malaiyaeIt is our mountain!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This iconic Tamil song from 'Maalaiyitta Mangai' celebrates the legendary grandeur, self-reliance, and generous spirit of King Vel Paari and his kingdom, Parambu Malai. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a serene yet invincible mountain crowned by the moon and blessed with cascading waterfalls, fresh breeze, and abundant natural resources. It reference the historical Sangam era event where the combined armies of the Three Crowned Kings (Chera, Chola, and Pandya) laid siege to Parambu Malai; the hill dwellers proudly declare that a siege cannot weaken them because the mountain naturally yields bamboo rice, wild tubers, fruits, and honey. Beyond their resilience, the song highlights the spirit of Tamil hospitality and Paari's legendary philanthropy (Kodai). Even invaders are invited to abandon hostility and receive refuge and wealth as guests, exemplifying the high moral code of ancient Tamil culture.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Personification / Uruvagam

Thingal mudi soodum malai

'Thingal mudi soodum malai' portrays the mountain as a majestic king wearing the moon as his crown.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Thingal mudi soodum malai / Thendral vilaiyaadum malai

Repetition of initial consonant sounds like 'Th' in 'Thingal' and 'Thendral'.

Anaphora / Repetition

Thingal mudi soodum malai

The refrain 'Thingal mudi soodum malai...' repeats across stanzas to reinforce pride and connection to the homeland.

Allusion (Historical & Literary)

Thandhu thandhu perumai pettra Paariyin parambhu malai

Direct allusion to Sangam literature (Purananuru) where King Paari's Parambu hill resisted the siege of the Three Crowned Kings (Moovendhar).

Did you know?

Trivia

'Maalaiyitta Mangai' (1958) was the debut film produced by the legendary lyricist Kannadasan under his banner Kannadasan Films. The music was composed by the duo Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy. This song adapts classical Sangam Tamil themes from Purananuru detailing King Vel Paari's Parambu hill.

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