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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ulagam Enbathu Inimai

From Therottam · 1971

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
Details
Therottam1971

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Ulagam enbathu inimaiThe world is sweet,
Un ullam eppothum ilamaiYour heart is forever young.
Varuvathu varattum manamaeLet come what may, oh mind!
Dhinam vaazhvathuthaan un kadamaiLiving each day is your duty.
Male
Ulagam enbathu inimaiThe world is sweet,
Un ullam eppothum ilamaiYour heart is forever young.
Male
Malargal piranthathu koondhalukkaagaFlowers were born for women's hair,
Vaasam namakkaagaTheir fragrance is for us.
Malargal piranthathu koondhalukkaagaFlowers were born for women's hair,
Vaasam namakkaagaTheir fragrance is for us.
Male
Mangaiyar ennum thangakkiligalGolden parrot-like young women,
Vaazhvathum namakkaagaLive for us as well.
Udalae eppothum vilaiyaaduOh body, play forever!
Uyirae ennaalum uravaaduOh soul, bond for all time!
Male
Ulagam enbathu inimaiThe world is sweet,
Un ullam eppothum ilamaiYour heart is forever young.
Male
Ilaneerodum thenniyilumIn tender coconut water and sweet dew,
Naan ilamaiyai paarkkindraenI behold youthfulness.
Ilaneerodum thenniyilumIn tender coconut water and sweet dew,
Naan ilamaiyai paarkkindraenI behold youthfulness.
Male
Adhai ilaigal moodum velaiyilaeWhen leaves cover them,
Naan edhaiyo ninaikkindraenI ponder upon something unknown.
Chittu kuruvigal mithikkindranaLittle sparrows hop and tread,
Chittu kuruvigal mithikkindranaLittle sparrows hop and tread,
Sempooththu paravaigal rasikkindrana…Birds amidst red blossoms relish the view...
Male
Kaalaththai vittaal kaikku varaathuIf time is lost, it will not return to hand,
Thuninthavan vaazhgindraanOnly the daring man thrives.
Kaalaththai vittaal kaikku varaathuIf time is lost, it will not return to hand,
Thuninthavan vaazhgindraanOnly the daring man thrives.
Male
Kannukku vayathu padhinaaruThe eyes are always sixteen years old,
Kaalaththin vayathu pala nooruWhile time's age is many hundreds.
Ovvoru naalum varalaaruEvery single day is history,
Unnai ninaithae munnaeru….Believe in yourself and march forward...
Male
Ulagam enbathu inimaiThe world is sweet,
Un ullam eppothum ilamaiYour heart is forever young.
Varuvathu varattum manamaeLet come what may, oh mind!
Dhinam vaazhvathuthaan un kadamaiLiving each day is your duty.
Male
……………………....

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This uplifting song from 'Therottam' (1971) celebrates optimism, vitality, and the beauty of life. Lyricist Kannadasan encourages the listener to view the world as inherently joyful and to keep the heart youthful regardless of advancing age. Through serene nature imagery—such as blooming flowers, sparrows, and coconut water—the song emphasizes that the pleasures of the world exist for human joy. Furthermore, the track offers a profound philosophical call to action: time is fleeting and irreversible, so one must live courageously. By asserting that the eyes remain perpetually youthful ('sixteen') while time marches on, Kannadasan urges everyone to treat each day as an opportunity to make history and move forward with self-confidence.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Apostrophe / Personification (Munnilai)

Varuvathu varattum manamae / Udalae eppothum vilaiyaadu / Uyirae ennaalum uravaaduThread Context: Direct address to the mind, body, and soul as conscious entities capable of listening and acting.

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Mangaiyar ennum thangakkiligal

Comparing young women directly to 'golden parrots' (thangakkiligal) to highlight their beauty, charm, and precious nature.

Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Udalae eppothum vilaiyaadu / Uyirae ennaalum uravaadu

The second letters 'da' and 'yi' in 'Udalae' and 'Uyirae', or 'la' in 'Ulagam' and 'ullam', create a rhythmic Tamil poetic meter.

Hyperbole / Metaphorical Age

Kannukku vayathu padhinaaru / Kaalaththin vayathu pala nooru

'Kannukku vayathu padhinaaru' metaphorically asserts that vision and desire remain eternally sweet and youthful at sixteen, contrasting with 'Kaalaththin vayathu pala nooru' (time being hundreds of years old).

Did you know?

Trivia

'Therottam' (1971) features music composed by S. M. Subbaiah Naidu, a pioneering maestro who shaped early South Indian cinema music. Delivered by the legendary T. M. Soundararajan, this song stands out for blending upbeat rhythmic orchestration with Kannadasan's signature life philosophy.

Keep listening

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