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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vellipani Malaiyin

From Kappalotiya Tamizhan · 1961

Lyricist
Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyaar
Singers
Seerkazhi Govindarajan, Trichy Loganathan
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Details
Kappalotiya Tamizhan1961

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics↻ English translation
Male
Velli pani malaiyin meedhulaavuvomWe shall stroll upon the silver snow-capped mountains.
Adi melai kadal muzhudhum kappal viduvomAnd sail our ships across the entire western ocean.
Male and Chorus :Velli pani malaiyin meedhulaavuvomWe shall stroll upon the silver snow-capped mountains.
Adi melai kadal muzhudhum kappal viduvomAnd sail our ships across the entire western ocean.
Male
Palli thalam anaithum koyil seiguvomWe shall venerate every place of learning as a sacred temple.
Palli thalam anaithum koyil seiguvomWe shall venerate every place of learning as a sacred temple.
Engal bhaaradha dhesam endru thol kottuvomWe shall proudly pat our shoulders proclaiming, 'This is our Bharat land!'
Engal bhaaradha dhesam endru thol kottuvomWe shall proudly pat our shoulders proclaiming, 'This is our Bharat land!'
Male
Velli pani malaiyin meedhulaavuvomWe shall stroll upon the silver snow-capped mountains.
Adi melai kadal muzhudhum kappal viduvomAnd sail our ships across the entire western ocean.
Male
Muthu kulippadhoru then kadalileIn the southern ocean where pearls are gathered,
Muthu kulippadhoru then kadalileIn the southern ocean where pearls are gathered,
Moithu vanigar pala naatinar vandheMerchants from many nations crowd together and arrive,
Muthu kulippadhoru then kadalileIn the southern ocean where pearls are gathered,
Muthu Kulippadhoru Then KadalileIn the southern ocean where pearls are gathered,
Moithu vanigar pala naatinar vandheMerchants from many nations crowd together and arrive,
Nathi namakkiniya porul konarndheOffering sweet commodities along our rivers,
Nathi namakkiniya porul konarndheOffering sweet commodities along our rivers,
Nammarul venduvadhu merkkaraiyileAnd seeking our grace on the western shore.
Muthu kulippadhoru then kadalileIn the southern ocean where pearls are gathered,
Male
Palli thalam anaithum koyil seiguvomWe shall venerate every place of learning as a sacred temple.
Palli thalam anaithum koyil seiguvomWe shall venerate every place of learning as a sacred temple.
Engal bhaaradha dhesam endru thol kottuvomWe shall proudly pat our shoulders proclaiming, 'This is our Bharat land!'
Male
Ayudham seivom nalla kaagidham seivomWe shall manufacture weapons and produce fine paper.
Ayudham seivom nalla kaagidham seivomWe shall manufacture weapons and produce fine paper.
Aalaigal vaippom kalvi chaalaigal vaippomWe shall establish factories and educational institutions.
Aalaigal vaippom kalvi chaalaigal vaippomWe shall establish factories and educational institutions.
Oyudhal seiyyom thalai saayudhal seiyyomWe shall never tire, nor bow our heads in defeat.
Oyudhal seiyyom thalai saayudhal seiyyomWe shall never tire, nor bow our heads in defeat.
Unmaigal solvom pala vanmaigal seivomWe shall speak the truth and perform many mighty deeds.
Unmaigal solvom pala vanmaigal seivomWe shall speak the truth Coordinator and perform many mighty deeds.
Male
Palli thalam anaithum koyil seiguvomWe shall venerate every place of learning as a sacred temple.
Palli thalam anaithum koyil seiguvomWe shall venerate every place of learning as a sacred temple.
Engal bhaaradha dhesam endru thol kottuvomWe shall proudly pat our shoulders proclaiming, 'This is our Bharat land!'
Male
Vandhe maadhram….Vande Mataram... (Salutations to the Motherland!)

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Written by Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyar, this visionary song serves as a powerful patriotic anthem celebrating the grandeur, self-reliance, and intellectual prowess of India. Bharathiyar envisions a progressive nation that masters sea trade, industrial production, education, and defense, spanning from the snow-capped Himalayas in the north to the pearl-rich oceans in the south. The lyricist elevates places of education to the status of temples, advocating for hard work, truthful speech, industrialization, and global trade dominance. In the context of the film 'Kappalottiya Thamizhan' (1961), which depicts the life of freedom fighter V. O. Chidambaram Pillai (VO C), the song serves as an inspiring rallying cry for economic independence and national pride.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

“Palli thalam anaithum koyil seiguvom”

Bharathiyar metaphorically equates schools and places of learning to divine temples ('Palli thalam anaithum koyil seiguvom'), highlighting education as a holy pursuit.

Second-Letter Rhyme (Edhukai)

“Ayudham seivom nalla kaagidham seivom”

The second consonant sound matches across consecutive lines, creating rhythm ('Ayudham' / 'Aalaigal' / 'Oyudhal' / 'Unmaigal').

Anaphora / Internal Rhyme (Iyaibu)

“Aalaigal vaippom kalvi chaalaigal vaippom”

The repetition of the future tense verbal ending '-vom' ('seivom', 'vaippom', 'seiyyom') creates a decisive, collective resolve.

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navitchi)

“Velli pani malaiyin meedhulaavuvom”

Exaggerated romantic imagery of strolling across the snowy Himalayas and navigating across all western seas to show limitless ambition.

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Trivia

This immortal poem by Mahakavi Bharathiyar was composed long before Indian independence as a blueprint for free India's industrial and educational resurgence. It was adapted for the 1961 biographical film 'Kappalottiya Thamizhan', starring Sivaji Ganesan as V. O. Chidambaram Pillai, who launched the first indigenous Indian shipping company to challenge British monopoly. The film's music was scored by G. Ramanathan and featured power-packed renditions by Seerkazhi Govindarajan and Trichy Loganathan.

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