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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vanthematharam Enbom

From Kappalotiya Tamizhan · 1961

Lyricist
Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyaar
Singer
Seerkazhi Govindarajan
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Details
Kappalotiya Tamizhan1961

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Vandhe maadharam enbomWe shall chant Vande Mataram
Chorus :Vandhe maadharam enbomChorus: We shall chant Vande Mataram
Male :Haa…aaa…aaMale: Vocalizing (Haa...aaa...aa)
Vandhe maadharam enbomWe shall chant Vande Mataram
Engal maanila thaayai vanangudhum enbomWe shall say that we bow to our motherland
Male
Aayiram undingu jaadhiA thousand castes may exist here
Aayiram undingu jaadhiA thousand castes may exist here
Enil anniyar vandhu pugal enna needhiYet, what justice is there if foreigners come and dictate rules?
Aayiram undingu jaadhiA thousand castes may exist here
Enil anniyar vandhu pugal enna needhiYet, what justice is there if foreigners come and dictate rules?
Thaayin vayittril pirandhorThose born in the womb of a mother
Oru thaayin vayittril pirandhorThose born in the womb of a single mother
Thammul sandai eidhaalum sagodhararandroAre brothers after all, even if they fight among themselves
Male
Ondru pattaal undu vaazhveIf we stand united, there is life and prosperity
Nammil ottrumai neengidil anaivarkkum thaazhveIf unity departs from us, degradation awaits everyone
Ondru pattaal undu vaazhveIf we stand united, there is life and prosperity
Nammil ottrumai neengidil anaivarkkum thaazhveIf unity departs from us, degradation awaits everyone
Nandridhu therndhidal vendumIt is necessary to understand well that this is good
Chorus :Nandridhu therndhidal vendumChorus: It is necessary to understand well that this is good
Male :Indha gnyaanam vandhaarpin namakkaedhu vendumMale: Once this wisdom dawns, what else do we need?
Nandridhu therndhidal vendumIt is necessary to understand well that this is good
Indha gnyaanam vandhaarpin namakkaedhu vendumOnce this wisdom dawns, what else do we need?
Male
Vandhe maadharam enbomWe shall chant Vande Mataram
Engal maanila thaayai vanangudhum enbomWe shall say that we bow to our motherland

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Vandhe Maadharam Enbom is a powerful patriotic song written by Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyaar, calling for Indian national unity and self-governance. The song emphasizes that despite internal social divisions and caste differences, all citizens are children of the same motherland and are essentially siblings. Bharathi firmly rejects British colonial rule, asserting that outsiders have no moral authority to govern or advise the people of India. The verses highlight the absolute necessity of unity, warning that solidarity brings prosperity while internal strife leads to common ruin. Realizing this essential truth is described as the supreme wisdom that will pave the way for true freedom and self-dignity.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Rhetorical Question

Enil anniyar vandhu pugal enna needhi

The poet questions the moral authority and justice of foreign colonizers coming into India to rule and dictate terms.

Extended Metaphor

Thammul sandai eidhaalum sagodhararandro

Compares the diverse populace of the nation to siblings born from the same mother's womb, reinforcing the concept of Mother India.

Antithesis / Contrast

Ondru pattaal undu vaazhve / Nammil ottrumai neengidil anaivarkkum thaazhve

Contrasts the positive outcome of unity ('undu vaazhve') directly with the destructive consequence of division ('anaivarkkum thaazhve').

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Trivia

This patriotic song features in the 1961 Tamil biographical film 'Kappalottiya Thamizhan', which depicts the heroic life of freedom fighter V. O. Chidambaram Pillai (VOC). The immortal lyrics were penned by Subramanya Bharathiyaar during the Indian Independence movement, and the song was powerfully rendered by classical singer Seerkazhi Govindarajan under the musical direction of G. Ramanathan.

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