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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vaazhvin Sugam

From Bhagya Devathai · 1959

Lyricist
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
Master Venu
Details
Bhagya Devathai1959

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Oo….maathaa…Oh mother...
Thanjamendraen nenjamirangathaaI surrendered to you, won't your heart melt?
Unai kenjukindrean seviyum kelaathaaI beg you, won't your ears hear my plea?
Female
Vaazhvin sugamithuthaanaaIs this all the joy life has to offer?
Ammaa vaazhvin sugamithuthaanaaOh mother, is this all the joy life has to offer?
Oozhvinai payano ondrum ariyaenIs this the result of past fate? I know nothing of it.
Female
Vaazhvin sugamithuthaanaaIs this all the joy life has to offer?
Ammaa vaazhvin sugamithuthaanaaOh mother, is this all the joy life has to offer?
Chorus
……………….
Female
Unmaiyai endru nee unarnthiduvaayoWhen will you realize the truth?
Ullamae kaninthu nee thunai purivaayoWill your heart soften and extend help to me?
Unmaiyai endru nee unarnthiduvaayoWhen will you realize the truth?
Ullamae kaninthu nee thunai purivaayoWill your heart soften and extend help to me?
Female
Penmaiyin thanmaiyai nee arivaayoDo you understand the true nature of womanhood?
Penmaiyin thanmaiyai nee arivaayoDo you understand the true nature of womanhood?
Bedhaiyai sodhanai seivathum muraiyoIs it right to subject an innocent woman to such trials?
Female :Vaazhvin sugamithuthaanaaIs this all the joy life has to offer?
Ammaa vaazhvin sugamithuthaanaaOh mother, is this all the joy life has to offer?
Chorus
……………….
Female
Kondavar kuname Maariyathae yaenoWhy has the character of the wedded spouse changed?
Chorus
……………….
Female
Gunavathi sothari mael veen pazhi yaenoWhy is a virtuous sister falsely blamed?
Kuzhanthaigalaal annai kumaruvathaenoWhy does a mother suffer agony because of her children?
Kuzhanthaigalaal annai kumaruvathaenoWhy does a mother suffer agony because of her children?
Kudumba gowravamae kurainthathum yaenoWhy has the honor of the family diminished?
Female
Kaala sooravaliyil kannagi pennaalIn the whirlwind of time, Kannagi stood as a woman of strength,
Karpin sigaramaai saaviththiri munnaalIn ancient times, Savitri stood as the pinnacle of chastity,
Kadamaiyai thavaraathu anusooyaa annaalIn those days, Anasuya never strayed from her duty,
Kankanda anupavam polaJust like a directly witnessed experience,
Kaarirul neengum thannaalaeThe dense darkness will automatically disappear,
Kalankaathae mayangaathae thayangaathae…Do not despair, do not be confused, do not hesitate...
Female
Vaazhvin sugamithuthaanaaIs this all the joy life has to offer?
Ammaa vaazhvin sugamithuthaanaaOh mother, is this all the joy life has to offer?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a poignant lament sung by a distressed woman appealing to the divine Mother and reflecting on the hardships of her life. She questions why a virtuous woman must suffer false accusations, family breakdown, and a shift in her husband's loving disposition. She ponders whether these tribulations are the inescapable results of past karma (oozhvinai). Despite her profound sorrow, she draws consolation and moral fortitude from legendary figures of Indian epics—Kannagi, Savitri, and Anasuya—who endured immense trials through chastity and righteous duty. Ultimately, the song offers a message of solace and hope: just as night gives way to light, deep darkness will inevitably disperse, so one must remain steadfast without losing courage.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Rhetorical Question (Vinaa Alankaaram)

Vaazhvin sugamithuthaanaa

Repeated questioning like 'Vaazhvin sugamithuthaanaa?' (Is this all the joy life has?) and 'Bedhaiyai sodhanai seivathum muraiyo?' emphasizes helplessness and sorrow.

Allusion (Mythological Figures)

Kaala sooravaliyil kannagi pennaal

References to legendary icons of fortitude—Kannagi, Savitri, and Anasuya—are used to inspire moral strength and hope amidst adversity.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Kaala sooravaliyil kannagi pennaal

Consonant matching at the beginning of consecutive lines ('K' sound in Kaala, Karpin, Kadamaiyai, Kankanda, Kaarirul).

Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

Kaarirul neengum thannaalae

'Kaarirul neengum' uses deep darkness as a metaphor for grief and trouble fading away.

Did you know?

Trivia

Bhagya Devathai (1959) was directed by Tapi Chanakya, featuring music by Master Venu. The lyrics written by Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass reflect classical poetic tropes of distress and devotion, delivered with deep emotion by P. Susheela.

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