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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thinnai Pechchu

From Pathi Bakthi · 1958

Lyricist
Pattukkottai Kalyanasundram
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Details
Pathi Bakthi1958

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Dharmamenbaar needhi enbaar tharamenbaarThey talk of righteousness, justice, and nobility
Sarithirathu saandru solvaarThey cite history as their witness and evidence
Thaai anbu pettagathai santhiyilae erindhuvittuYet they throw the treasure box of motherly affection onto the street intersection
Thanmaana veerarenbaarAnd call themselves self-respecting brave heroes
Male
Marmamaai sathipurivaar vaaipesaa abalaigalinThey plot secretly in the shadows, and for helpless mute women
Vaazhvukku nanjuvaipparThey poison their lives and futures
Karmavinai enbaar bhramman eluthenbaaarThey brush it off as karma, claiming it was written by Brahma
Kadavul mel kuttram enbaar ..haaa..aaa..aaAnd lay the blame upon God ..haaa..aaa..aa
Male
Haee haeiiHaee haeii
Male
Indha thinnai pechu veraridamKeep this idle porch talk away elsewhere
Oru kannayirukkanum annachiWe must keep a watchful eye, elder brother
Thinnai pechu veraridamKeep this idle porch talk away elsewhere
Oru kannayirukkanum annachiWe must keep a watchful eye, elder brother
Chorus :Naam onnayirukkanum annachiChorus: We must remain united, elder brother
Male
Ennalum ulagil yemaatram vizhigalAlways in a world free of deceitful eyes
Illadha nannaalai undaakkanumWe must create a bright new day
Ennalum ulagil yemaatram vizhigalAlways in a world free of deceitful eyes
Illadha nannaalai undaakkanumWe must create a bright new day
Chorus
Indha thinnai pechu veraridamKeep this idle porch talk away elsewhere
Oru kannayirukkanum annachiWe must keep a watchful eye, elder brother
Naam onnayirukkanum annachiWe must remain united, elder brother
Male
Podhunalam pesum punniyavangalinAmong those righteous souls who pontificate about public welfare
Pokkinil anaega vithiyaasam..hoo oo hoo oooThere are endless contradictions in their actual behavior..hoo oo hoo ooo
Chorus :Ho ho oo oo ooChorus: Ho ho oo oo oo
Male :Podhunalam pesum punniyavangalinMale: Among those righteous souls who pontificate about public welfare
Pokkinil anaega vithiyaasamThere are endless contradictions in their actual behavior
Pudhu pudhu vagaiyil pulambhuvadhellamAll their constant rantings in novel ways
Puviyai mayakkum veliveshamAre merely outward charades to delude the world
Male
Andha polladha manidhar sollamal thirunthaTo make those wicked men reform without needing to be told
Nallorai elllorum kondaadanumEveryone must cherish and honor genuine good people
Chorus
Indha thinnai pechu veraridamKeep this idle porch talk away elsewhere
Oru kannayirukkanum annachiWe must keep a watchful eye, elder brother
Naam onnayirukkanum annachiWe must remain united, elder brother
Male
Kadavul iruppadhum illa inbadhumDebating whether God exists or whether non-existence is bliss
Kavaikku udhavaadha verum pechuIs utterly useless talk that serves no practical purpose
Chorus :Ho ho oo oo ooChorus: Ho ho oo oo oo
Male :Kadavul iruppadhum illa inbadhumMale: Debating whether God exists or whether non-existence is bliss
Kavaikku udhavaadha verum pechuIs utterly useless talk that serves no practical purpose
Kanji killathaar kavalai neengaveTo relieve the distress of those lacking basic porridge
Karudha vendiyadhai marandhaachuWhat truly needs to be considered has been forgotten
Male
Pazhang kadhaigalai pesi kaalam veenaachuTime has been wasted endlessly discussing ancient tales
Kaiyaale munnaetram kandaaganumWe must achieve real progress through our own hands
Chorus
Indha thinnai pechu veraridamKeep this idle porch talk away elsewhere
Oru kannayirukkanum annachiWe must keep a watchful eye, elder brother
Naam onnayirukkanum annachiWe must remain united, elder brother
Male
Naadi thalandhavanga aadi nadappavangaThose with weak pulses, those walking with shaky steps
Nallavanga kettavanga namba mudiyadhavangaGood people, bad people, and untrustworthy people
Chorus :Nallavanga kettavanga namba mudiyadhavangaChorus: Good people, bad people, and untrustworthy people
Male :Paadi kanathavanga thaadi valarthavangaMale: Those with heavy voices, those growing long beards
Palapala velaigalil pangeduthu kondavangaThose participating in various kinds of work
Chorus :Palapala velaigalil pangeduthu kondavangaChorus: Those participating in various kinds of work
Male
Padippavanga veedu pudippavangaStudents, house-renters
Podi pasanga perumpokkiringaYoung lads and major scoundrels
Male
Padippavanga veedu pudippavangaStudents, house-renters
Podi pasanga perumpokkiringaYoung lads and major scoundrels
Male
Inum pombalainga aambalaingaAnd also women and men
Athanai peraiyum vechu maada ilukkurom vegamaWith all of them together, we pull hard like draft oxen
Namma vaazhkkai kedukkuthu roatoramaaIs our life going to waste by the roadside?
Chorus :Vandiyai urutti varumaiyai verattiChorus: Pushing our cart forward, chasing away poverty
Undaalum kaaindhaalum ondraaganumWhether eating well or starving, we must stay united
Namma vandiyai urutti varumaiyai verattiPushing our cart forward, chasing away poverty
Undaalum kaaindhaalum ondraaganumWhether eating well or starving, we must stay united
Chorus
Indha thinnai pechu veraridamKeep this idle porch talk away elsewhere
Oru kannayirukkanum annachiWe must keep a watchful eye, elder brother
Naam onnayirukkanum annachiWe must remain united, elder brother
Ennalum ulagil yemaatram vizhigalAlways in a world free of deceitful eyes
Illadha nannaalai undaakkanumWe must create a bright new day
Chorus
Indha thinnai pechu veraridamKeep this idle porch talk away elsewhere
Oru kannayirukkanum annachiWe must keep a watchful eye, elder brother
Naam onnayirukkanum annachiWe must remain united, elder brother

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This iconic song from Pathi Bakthi (1958) is a powerful social critique written by the renowned reformist poet Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram. It addresses the working class ('Annachi') and urges them to beware of hypocritical elites who spout grand theories about morality, religion, history, and karma while actively oppressing the vulnerable, particularly helpless women. The song strongly dismisses abstract, fruitless philosophical debates over the existence of God, arguing that such discussions distract from solving urgent physical realities like hunger and poverty.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Mohnai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Podhunalam pesum punniyavangalin / Pokkinil anaega vithiyaasam / Pudhu pudhu vagaiyil pulambhuvadhellam / Puviyai mayakkum velivesham

Repetition of initial consonant sounds across consecutive lines or words, creating a rhythmic pulse.

Edhukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Kadavul iruppadhum illa inbadhum / Kavaikku udhavaadha verum pechu

Matching second consonants across lines to structure the stanza harmony.

Refrain / Anaphora

Indha thinnai pechu veraridam / Oru kannayirukkanum annachi / Naam onnayirukkanum annachi

Repeated line serving as a central thesis and hook for solidarity among working-class listeners.

Did you know?

Trivia

Pattukkottai Kalyanasundaram was deeply influenced by Marxist ideologies, which is strongly evident in this song's call for working-class solidarity ('naam onnayirukkanum') and self-reliance rather than relying on religious fatalism or elite charity.

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