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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vanna Tamizh Sornakili

From Kaveriyin Kanavan · 1959

Lyricist
Udumalai Narayanakavi
Singer
M. L. Vasanthakumari
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Kaveriyin Kanavan1959

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Vanna tamizh sornakiliThe colorful Tamil golden parrot
Vaai thirandhaalOpened her mouth
Valluvan sol thellamudhaiThe sweet nectar of Valluvar's words
Mella mozhindhaalSoftly uttered
Female
Vanna tamizh sornakiliThe colorful Tamil golden parrot
Vaai thirandhaalOpened her mouth
Valluvan sol thellamudhaiThe sweet nectar of Valluvar's words
Mella mozhindhaalSoftly uttered
Female
Kannaladu paagumalarSugarcane juice, syrup, and flowers,
Kallai veruthaenI loathed ordinary nectar or liquor,
Kannaladu paagumalarSugarcane juice, syrup, and flowers,
Kallai veruthaenI loathed ordinary nectar or liquor,
Aval gaanarasa thaenai unduBy drinking the nectar of her musical essence,
Gyaanam padaithenI attained true wisdom.
Gaanarasa thaenai unduBy drinking the nectar of musical essence,
Gyaanam padaithenI attained true wisdom.
Female
Inba vanna tamizh sornakiliThe blissful colorful Tamil golden parrot
Vaai thirandhaalOpened her mouth
Valluvan sol thellamudhaiThe sweet nectar of Valluvar's words
Mella mozhindhaalSoftly uttered
Female
Mannum sevikkunavu illadhapodhuWhen there is no food for the ears on this earth,
Mannum sevikkunavu illadhapodhuWhen there is no food for the ears on this earth,
Sirithu vayittrukkum eeyapadum yenavodhumA little food shall also be offered to the stomach - as stated,
Ponneluthu yeduthanai puvi meedhuBy the golden written words upon this earth,
Ponneluthu yeduthanai puvi meedhuBy the golden written words upon this earth,
Konda kanni ezhil maradha kalaimaadhuThe Goddess of Arts with unfading youthful beauty,
Female
Engal vanna tamizh sornakiliOur colorful Tamil golden parrot
Vaai thirandhaalOpened her mouth
Valluvan sol thellamudhaiThe sweet nectar of Valluvar's words
Mella mozhindhaalSoftly uttered
Female
Kuzhalinidhu yaazhinidhu enbar thammakkal"The flute is sweet, the lute is sweet," say those
Mazhalai sol keladhaavarWho have not heard the babbling words of their children,
Endrae amazhdhinum iniyadhoruThus declaring a praised golden phrase sweeter than ambrosia,
Pugalsol pon mozhiyaiA golden word of praise,
Amazhdhinum iniyadhoruSweeter than ambrosia,
Pugalsol pon mozhiyaiA golden word of praise,
Vazhangi vattardha valam pettraalShe bestowed it and gained boundless spiritual wealth.
Female
Engal vanna tamizh sornakiliOur colorful Tamil golden parrot
Vaai thirandhaalOpened her mouth
Valluvan sol thellamudhaiThe sweet nectar of Valluvar's words
Mella mozhindhaalSoftly uttered

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic song celebrates the beauty of the Tamil language and the timeless wisdom of Tirukkural by Thiruvalluvar. The song likens a sweet Tamil songstress to a golden parrot who bestows the nectar of wisdom through her melodious singing. It explicitly incorporates couplets from Tirukkural, emphasizing how spiritual and intellectual nourishment (food for the ears) surpasses material food, and how the sweet words of Tamil are sweeter than ambrosia or musical instruments like the flute and veena.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Alliteration)

Vanna tamizh sornakili / Vaai thirandhaal

Repetition of initial consonants across words in a line (e.g., 'Vanna' and 'Vaai').

Edhugai (Rhyming second letter)

Vanna tamizh sornakili / Valluvan sol thellamudhai

Matching second letter across consecutive lines ('Vanna' and 'Valluvan').

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Valluvan sol thellamudhai

Comparing Tamil/words of Tirukkural to 'Thellamudhu' (clear nectar) and the singer to a 'Sornakili' (golden parrot).

Direct Quotation / Allusion

Kuzhalinidhu yaazhinidhu enbar thammakkal

Incorporation of actual Tirukkural verses ('Kuzhalinidhu yaazhinidhu...' and 'Sevikkunavu illadha podhu...').

Did you know?

Trivia

The lyricist Udumalai Narayanakavi was famous for weaving rationalist ideals and ancient Tamil literature, particularly Tirukkural, into film songs. Rendered by the legendary Carnatic vocalist M. L. Vasanthakumari, this song remains a celebrated tribute to Tamil literature in early Tamil cinema.

Keep listening

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