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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Veerathaayai Pannivom

From Maruthanad Elavarasee · 1950

Lyricist
C. A. Lakshmana Das
Singer
P. Leela
Music director
M. S. Gnanamani
Details
Maruthanad Elavarasee1950

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Veerath thaayai panivomLet us bow to the heroic mother
Veerath thaayai panivomLet us bow to the heroic mother
Oho viratha seela deivamOh, the deity of righteous vows and virtue
Verae yaedhulagilWho else is there in this world equal to her?
Female
Veerath thaayai panivomLet us bow to the heroic mother
Oho viratha seela deivamOh, the deity of righteous vows and virtue
Verae yaedhulagil…Who else is there in this world equal to her...
Female
Neril aasirvathithaeBlessing him in person
Neril aasirvathithaeBlessing him in person
Puththi koori vaalai koduththae….hae…Imparting wisdom and handing over the sword...
Neril aasirvathithaeBlessing him in person
Puththi koori vaalai koduththae….Imparting wisdom and handing over the sword...
Migu nediya porin munaimeethaeAt the very front line of a long battle
Migu nediya porin munaimeethaeAt the very front line of a long battle
Maganai nesamaagaththaanaeWith true affection for her son
Yaevugindra nam veeraththaayai panivomLet us bow to our heroic mother who dispatches him to fight
Female
Kaayaththai nee nenjil thaangikkolSustain your wounds on your chest
Kaayaththai nee nenjil thaangikkolSustain your wounds on your chest
Maranthae puramuthugil peruvaayaanaalIf you forget and receive wounds on your back while fleeing
Kaayaththai nee nenjil thaangikkolSustain your wounds on your chest
Maranthae puramuthugil peruvaayaanaalIf you forget and receive wounds on your back while fleeing
Female
Neeyunda sthanaththai naanaruththae paarmealI will sever the breast that nursed you, upon this earth
Neeyunda sthanaththai naanaruththae paarmealI will sever the breast that nursed you, upon this earth
Veesiduvaen veesiduvaen endraeSaying, I will fling it away, I will fling it away
Veesiduvaen endrae pesidumorTo the mother who speaks with such resolute courage
Theera veerathaayao panivomTo that mother of boundless valor, let us bow
Panivom….panivom….panivom….Let us bow... let us bow... let us bow...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song praises the ancient Tamil ideal of the heroic mother ('Veera Thaai'), drawing deeply from Sangam literature themes such as those found in Purananuru. The mother lovingly sends her son to the battlefield, handing him a sword with her blessings and instructing him to fight bravely. She admonishes him that he must face the enemy head-on and take wounds only on his chest; if he shows cowardice and returns with wounds on his back, she threatens to sever the very breast that nursed him.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Moonaiai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Veerath thaayai panivom / Oho viratha seela deivam

Repetition of initial consonants/sounds in 'Veerath' and 'Viratha' creates an emphatic, rhythmic cadence suited for a heroic theme.

Classical Literary Allusion (Sangam Metaphor)

Neeyunda sthanaththai naanaruththae paarmeal

Refers directly to the famous Purananuru motif where a mother declares she would cut off her nursing breast if her son retreats in cowardice from battle.

Anaphora / Repetition for Emphasis

Panivom….panivom….panivom….

Repeated use of 'panivom' underscores the reverence and respect owed to the courageous mother.

Did you know?

Trivia

The theme of this song directly references ancient Tamil Purananuru poetry (specifically verse 86/278 themes) where mothers prioritized valor over life. The film 'Maruthanad Elavarasee' (1950) featured M. G. Ramachandran and V. N. Janaki in lead roles.

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