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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Uyirai Tharugiren

From Kaanchi Thalaivan · 1963

Lyricist
Aalangudi Somu
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Kaanchi Thalaivan1963

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Uyirai tharugindren thaayaeI offer my life, Oh Mother!
Oorai kaappaayae…ae…ae….Protect our town...
Uyirai tharugindren thaayaeI offer my life, Oh Mother!
Oorai kaappaayae…ae…..ae….Protect our town...
Female
Uyirai tharugindren thaayae …ae….ae….I offer my life, Oh Mother...
Female
Agamum puramum paadiya mannilIn this land that sang of inner life (Agam) and outer valor (Puram),
Anniyar paadham padalaamoShould the feet of foreigners tread?
Agamum puramum paadiya mannilIn this land that sang of inner life (Agam) and outer valor (Puram),
Anniyar paadham padalaamoShould the feet of foreigners tread?
Thogai thogaiyaaga pagaivar vandhaalumEven if enemies approach in massive swarms,
Thagartheriyaamal vidalaamo…Can we let them leave without shattering them?
Thogai thogaiyaaga pagaivar vandhaalumEven if enemies approach in massive swarms,
Thagartheriyaamal vidalaamo… oo…oo ooCan we let them leave without shattering them?
Female
Uyirai tharugindren thaayaeI offer my life, Oh Mother!
Oorai kaappaayae…ae…ae….Protect our town...
Uyirai tharugindren thaayae … ae… ae…I offer my life, Oh Mother...
Female
Kalamadhil nindru edhiriyai vendruStanding in the battlefield and vanquishing the foe,
Thalaigalai ennum karam engaeWhere is the hand that counts the enemy heads?
Kalamadhil nindru edhiriyai vendruStanding in the battlefield and vanquishing the foe,
Thalaigalai ennum karam engaeWhere is the hand that counts the enemy heads?
Ulagam viyandha thiramai sumandhaCarrying skill that astonished the entire world,
Urangaadha veera gunam engaeWhere is that vigilant, heroic character?
Ulagam viyandha thiramai sumandhaCarrying skill that astonished the entire world,
Urangaadha veera gunam engaeWhere is that vigilant, heroic character?
Engae… engae…Where... where...
Female
Uyirai tharugindren thaayaeI offer my life, Oh Mother!
Oorai kaappaayae…ae…ae….Protect our town...
Uyirai tharugindren thaayae … ae… ae…I offer my life, Oh Mother...
Female
Maattraanin kodi parakkaCan you tolerate watching the enemy's flag fly high,
Maadhaavae poruppaaiyo…Oh Mother?
Aattraamai kondu ingaeWill you just sit here in powerlessness and grief,
Annaiyae iruppaaiyo..Oh Mother?
Koottramaai maaraamalWithout assembling into a formidable force,
Kodiyavarai vellaamalWithout conquering these cruel adversaries,
Kottravaiyae iruppaayo…Will you remain still, Oh Kottravai (Goddess of War)?
Kottravaiyae iruppaayo…Will you remain still, Oh Goddess of War?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from the film Kaanchi Thalaivan (1963) is a powerful patriotic and martial invocation directed to Goddess Kottravai (the ancient Tamil deity of war and victory) and Motherland. The speaker offers his own life as a sacrifice in exchange for the protection and sovereignty of the realm, invoking classical Tamil concepts of heroism and pride. \n\nThe lyrics reference ancient Sangam literary traditions like Agam (love/interior life) and Puram (war/exterior life), questioning how foreign forces could be allowed to desecrate such sacred ground. It serves as a stirring call to arms, demanding to know where the legendary martial strength of the land has gone while urging the divine mother figure to rally her people against tyranny.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Alliteration)

Agamum puramum paadiya mannil / Anniyar paadham padalaamo

Repetition of the initial consonant/vowel sound across lines or words, such as 'Agamum' and 'Anniyar' or 'Ulagam' and 'Urangaadha'.

Edhukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Ulagam viyandha thiramai sumandha / Urangaadha veera gunam engae

Rhyming of the second letter in consecutive lines, such as 'Agamum' / 'Anniyar' (g / n sound harmony) or 'Kalamadhil' / 'Thalaigalai' and 'Ulagam' / 'Urangaadha'.

Rhetorical Question

Maattraanin kodi parakka / Maadhaavae poruppaaiyo…

Using deep rhetorical questions to awaken pride and warrior spirit in the listener.

Classical Allusion (Sangam Literature)

Agamum puramum paadiya mannil

References the classic Sangam poetry divisions 'Agam' (interior/love) and 'Puram' (exterior/warfare), as well as 'Kottravai', the ancient Tamil war goddess.

Did you know?

Trivia

Kaanchi Thalaivan is a historical fiction film based on Pallava history starring M. G. Ramachandran (MGR), S. S. Rajendran, and P. Bhanumathi. The lyrics by Aalangudi Somu incorporate deep Sangam literary references like 'Agam', 'Puram', and 'Kottravai', reinforcing Tamil historical pride.

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