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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vaanin Madhi Pol

From Kanniyin Kathali · 1949

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
K. V. Janaki
Music director
S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
Movie name
Kanniyin Kathali
Movie release year
1949
Lyrics added on
13 Sept 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Vaanin mathi pol maevum vaazhvae
Nigarae illaathathae
Mei ennaalum maghizhvey tharum
Vaanin mathi pol maevum vaazhvae
Nigarae illaathathae
Mei ennaalum maghizhvey tharum
Paaril…..nee….kaan…
Vaanin mathi pol maevum vaazhvae
Nigarae illaathathae
Mei ennaalum maghizhvey tharum
Kaarmugil polae alaiyum vaazhvae
Nillaathu nilaiyae veenae
Sorvu migumae maana
Kaarmugil polae alaiyum vaazhvae
Nillaathu nilaiyae veenae
Sorvu migumae maana
Paaril…..nee….kaan…
Vaanin mathi pol maevum vaazhvae
Nigarae illaathathae
Mei ennaalum maghizhvey tharum
Saagasamae thagumo puvi mael
Naer vazhiyae uyarvaam nidhame
Vaedhanai migumae suvai kedumae
Poi vaazhvaal manam punpadumae
Paaril…..nee….kaan…
Vaanin mathi pol maevum vaazhvae
Nigarae illaathathae
Mei ennaalum maghizhvey tharum
Thoodhae illatha dhinamae vaaraa
Aanatham ne peruvaayae
Kaavi ulaavidum aaninam polae
Ullaasamaagavae vaazhvaai
Paaril…..nee….kaan…
Vaanin mathi pol maevum vaazhvae
Nigarae illaathathae
Mei ennaalum maghizhvey tharum
A life that shines like the moon in the sky,
Has no equal anywhere.
Truth will always bring joy.
A life that shines like the moon in the sky,
Has no equal anywhere.
Truth will always bring joy.
Look and see in this world...
A life that shines like the moon in the sky,
Has no equal anywhere.
Truth will always bring joy.
A life drifting like dark rain clouds,
Never lasts, its instability is in vain.
It brings only weariness, my dear.
A life drifting like dark rain clouds,
Never lasts, its instability is in vain.
It brings only weariness, my dear.
Look and see in this world...
A life that shines like the moon in the sky,
Has no equal anywhere.
Truth will always bring joy.
Is deceitful cunning ever right on this earth?
The honest path is always the noble one...
Pain will only grow, and life's sweetness will fade,
A life built on lies will only hurt the heart.
Look and see in this world...
A life that shines like the moon in the sky,
Has no equal anywhere.
Truth will always bring joy.
Not a single day will pass without sweet tidings,
You will surely find true happiness.
Like wild deer roaming free in the groves,
You will live a life full of delight.
Look and see in this world...
A life that shines like the moon in the sky,
Has no equal anywhere.
Truth will always bring joy.
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This philosophical song from 'Kanniyin Kathali' (1949) emphasizes the importance of living a righteous and truthful life. It contrasts a virtuous life—which glows serenely like the full moon in the night sky—with a life filled with falsehood and deceit, which drifts aimlessly and unstably like dark rainclouds. The lyrics advise that trickery and dishonest means on earth lead only to mental pain, sorrow, and loss of life's sweetness. Instead, the song encourages following the honest path ('Naer vazhi'), which brings lasting elevation and peace. By renouncing deceit, one can experience pure joy and freedom, compared to cattle grazing happily and unrestrained in open pastures. Ultimate peace and true happiness are achieved only through a life grounded in truth.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Upamai (Simile)

“Vaanin mathi pol maevum vaazhvae”

Compares a peaceful, truthful life to the serene moon in the sky ('Vaanin mathi pol').

Upamai (Simile)

“Kaarmugil polae alaiyum vaazhvae”

Compares an unstable, deceitful life to restless dark clouds ('Kaarmugil polae').

Contrast (Ethirsol / Antithesis)

“Kaarmugil polae alaiyum vaazhvae”

Juxtaposes the serene illumination of truth ('Mathi') with the wandering darkness of falsehood ('Kaarmugil').

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

“Vaedhanai migumae suvai kedumae”

Uses rhyming endings like 'migumae', 'kedumae', 'punpadumae' across consecutive lines to create melodic rhythm.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Kanniyin Kathali' (1949) is a historically landmark film as it marked the lyrical debut of Kaviarasu Kannadasan in Tamil cinema. Directed by K. Ramnoth, the movie was an adaptation of William Shakespeare's famous play 'Twelfth Night'.

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