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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ulagathile Oruvanena

From Vietnam Veedu · 1970

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
A. L. Raghavan, Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi, P. Susheela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Vietnam Veedu1970

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
Endrum pudhidhaaga ilamai kuraiyaamalAlways fresh, without losing youthfulness,
Thendral pol kaaviri pol thennanthamizhae polLike the gentle breeze, like the river Cauvery, like sweet southern Tamil,
Anbu manaiyaalum aanai thalai maganumMay the loving wife and the dutiful eldest son,
Nindru nilaithu needoozhi vaazhiyavaeStand firm and live long with eternal longevity!
Needoozhi vaazhiyavaeLive long with eternal longevity!
Chorus
Ulagathilae oruvanenaAs a unique person in the world,
Uyarndhu nirkkum thilagamaeO crest-jewel standing tall!
Udanirundhu kaalamellaamBeing together throughout time,
Manam parappum idhayamaeO heart that spreads fragrance everywhere!
Ulagathilae oruvanenaAs a unique person in the world,
Uyarndhu nirkkum thilagamaeO crest-jewel standing tall!
Udanirundhu kaalamellaamBeing together throughout time,
Manam parappum idhayamaeO heart that spreads fragrance everywhere!
Chorus
Valluvanum vaasukiyumValluvar and Vasuki,
Vaazhndhu vandhadhum annaalaeLived together in those ancient days;
Valluvanum vaasukiyumValluvar and Vasuki,
Vaazhndhu vandhadhum annaalaeLived together in those ancient days;
Maru pirappil avar pol vandhuReborn like them in a new life,
Aram valarppadhum innaalaeNurturing righteousness in these modern times;
Chorus
Jaanakikkum raamanukkumFor Sita (Janaki) and Rama,
Saridham kandadhu innaalaeAn epic history was witnessed in those days;
Andha sarithirathil ungalukkumIn that grand history, for you both as well,
Kidaikkum oru ponnaeduA golden page shall be earned!
Andha sarithirathil ungalukkumIn that grand history, for you both as well,
Kidaikkum oru ponnaeduA golden page shall be earned!
Kidaikkum oru ponnaeduA golden page shall be earned!
Kidaikkum oru ponnaeduA golden page shall be earned!
Female
Iraivan ennai padaithaanGod created me,
Vaazhvum kodutthaanAnd bestowed a blessed life;
Enakkoru ulagam kaattinaanHe showed me a wonderful world of my own.
Iraivan ennai padaithaanGod created me,
Vaazhvum kodutthaanAnd bestowed a blessed life;
Enakkoru ulagam kaattinaanHe showed me a wonderful world of my own.
Female
Ennai pola vaazhndhavargal kuraivuFew people have lived a life like mine,
En dhaevan thandhadhindha niraivuSuch is the fulfillment my Lord has granted me.
Ennai pola vaazhndhavargal kuraivuFew people have lived a life like mine,
En dhaevan thandhadhindha niraivuSuch is the fulfillment my Lord has granted me.
Andha dheivathukkum indha dhaevanukkumTo that Almighty God and to this divine husband,
Endhan kannum nenjum endrum adimaiMy eyes and heart shall forever remain devoted servants.
Female
Iraivan ennai padaithaanGod created me,
Vaazhvum kodutthaanAnd bestowed a blessed life;
Enakkoru ulagam kaattinaanHe showed me a wonderful world of my own.
Iraivan ennai padaithaanGod created me,
Vaazhvum kodutthaanAnd bestowed a blessed life;
Male
Dialogue ………………..[Dialogue]
Chorus
Varusham ponaal ennaWhat if years pass by?
Nalla vayasum aanaal ennaWhat if age catches up with us?
Uruvathai paaradi mellaLook gently at this form, my dear,
Mugam irubadhai thaandiyadhallaThe face hasn't crossed the age of twenty!
Varusham ponaal ennaWhat if years pass by?
Nalla vayasum aanaal ennaWhat if age catches up with us?
Uruvathai paaradi mellaLook gently at this form, my dear,
Mugam irubadhai thaandiyadhallaThe face hasn't crossed the age of twenty!
Male
Ammaadi idhu enna udambuOh my, what a wondrous body this is!
Andha naal aandavan padaippuA master creation of God from those days!
Ammaadi idhu enna udambuOh my, what a wondrous body this is!
Andha naal aandavan padaippuA master creation of God from those days!
Female
Vidavillai vaaliba thudippuYouthful vigor hasn't left yet,
Male
Vilaiyaada aayiram ninaippuA thousand playful thoughts arise!
Chorus
Vidavillai vaaliba thudippuYouthful vigor hasn't left yet,
Vilaiyaada aayiram ninaippuA thousand playful thoughts arise!
Female
Thavikkudhu thanimai thaediYearning in search of solitude,
Male
Andha thanimaikku idhu nalla jodiThis is a perfect pair for that solitude!
Chorus
Thavikkudhu thanimai thaediYearning in search of solitude,
Andha thanimaikku idhu nalla jodiThis is a perfect pair for that solitude!
Chorus
Varusham ponaal ennaWhat if years pass by?
Nalla vayasum aanaal ennaWhat if age catches up with us?
Uruvathai paaradi mellaLook gently at this form, my dear,
Mugam irubadhai thaandiyadhallaThe face hasn't crossed the age of twenty!
Mugam irubadhai thaandiyadhallaThe face hasn't crossed the age of twenty!
Mugam irubadhai thaandiyadhallaThe face hasn't crossed the age of twenty!
Chorus
Kannoonjal aadinaal kaanjana maalaiKanjanamalai swung on an eye-swing,
Kaanjana maalai ponnoonjal aadinaalKanjanamalai swung on a golden swing,
Porpadhavalli porpadhavalliPorpadhavalli, Porpadhavalli,
Laali suba laali laali suba laaliLullaby, auspicious lullaby, lullaby, auspicious lullaby.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from the landmark film 'Vietnam Veedu' (1970) celebrates deep marital devotion, family harmony, and timeless love that transcends physical age. The lyrics begin with blessings of longevity and praises for a loving household, drawing revered classical parallels to ideal legendary couples such as Thiruvalluvar-Vasuki and Rama-Sita, assuring that such righteous love earns a golden place in history. In the latter half, the tone turns delightfully romantic and playful as the elderly couple reminisces about their youth. They affectionately tease each other that despite the passage of years, their hearts remain eternally youthful at twenty. The song seamlessly weaves profound devotion to one's spouse with joyful intimacy, concluding on a gentle, traditional lullaby motif.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Thendral pol kaaviri pol thennanthamizhae pol

Compares eternal freshness and grace to the cool breeze, the flowing river Cauvery, and the sweetness of Tamil.

Allusion (Purana/Historical Reference)

Valluvanum vaasukiyum / Jaanakikkum raamanukkum

Invokes Thiruvalluvar-Vasuki and Rama-Janaki to represent ideal virtue and eternal marital union.

Hyperbole (Athyukthi)

Mugam irubadhai thaandiyadhalla

Exaggerates age playfully by declaring that an elderly face has not crossed the age of twenty.

Monorhyme & Rhyme (Emon / Edhugai)

Iraivan ennai padaithaan / Vaazhvum kodutthaan

Uses matching second-consonant sounds (Padaithaan / Kodutthaan / Kaattinaan) creating melodic rhythm.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Vietnam Veedu' (1970) starred Sivaji Ganesan and Padmini and was directed by P. Madhavan, adapted from a hit stage play written by Vietnam Veedu Sundaram. The music for the film was composed by K. V. Mahadevan, with lyrics crafted by Kannadasan. The film was a major critical and commercial success, earning Sivaji Ganesan immense acclaim for his portrayal of Prestige Padmanabhan Iyer.

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