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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vetriye Arulamma

From Kathavarayan · 1958

Lyricist
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
Singers
A. P. Komala, K. Jamunarani, K. Rani, Sundaramma
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Details
Kathavarayan1958

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
…………………...
Female
Mannaalum rajavellaamEven if kings who rule the earth
Ponnodu vaazhnthaalennaLive surrounded by vast riches of gold, so what?
Mannaalum rajavellaamEven if kings who rule the earth
Ponnodu vaazhnthaalennaLive surrounded by vast riches of gold, so what?
Manamethum illaamalaeWithout having any fragrance,
Malaraai malarnthaalennaEven if a flower blooms, so what?
Manamethum illaamalaeWithout having any fragrance,
Malaraai malarnthaalennaEven if a flower blooms, so what?
Female
Vinanaalum megaththilaeIn the clouds that rule the sky,
Vilaiyaadum thaaraa ondruA playing star...
Female
Oo…oo…ooh…oo…oo..Oo…oo…ooh…oo…oo..
Thannaalae odi vanthuComes running on its own
Thavazhnthaalum naangal indruAnd even if it crawls down to us today,
Female
Ponnaana thottililaeIn a golden cradle,
Poojikka vendum endruWishing to adore and worship it,
Female
Ooo…ooo…oo…oo…oo…Ooo…ooo…oo…oo…oo…
Enni enniyamae manamThe mind continuously yearns and contemplates.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song presents a poetic and philosophical perspective on the emptiness of material wealth without intrinsic beauty, love, or virtue. It highlights that just as a king's vast golden riches are meaningless without true worth, a blooming flower is useless if it lacks fragrance. The lyrics then shift to a tender expression of yearning, metaphorically describing a divine or precious soul—like a star descending from the clouds—crawling into a golden cradle to be lovingly cherished and adored, capturing the mind's deep affection and endless contemplation.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Rhetorical Question (Vinai / Aipayam)

Ponnodu vaazhnthaalenna

The phrase 'vaazhnthaalenna' (so what if lived?) and 'malarnthaalenna' (so what if bloomed?) uses rhetorical questioning to emphasize that wealth or appearance without essence is meaningless.

Metaphor (Uvamai / Uruvagaimai)

Vilaiyaadum thaaraa ondru

A child or precious divine presence is metaphorically envisioned as a 'playing star' (thaaraa ondru) coming down from cloud-filled skies to crawl into a cradle.

Anaaphora / Repetition (Erattai Kilavi / Anaphora)

Enni enniyamae manam

The repetition of 'Enni enni' emphasizes continuous, deep, and obsessive thinking or longing.

Initial Rhyme / Alliteration (Monai)

Mannaalum rajavellaam

Repetition of the 'M' consonant across lines ('Mannaalum', 'Manamethum', 'Malaraai') creates rhythmic flow in Tamil poetry.

Did you know?

Trivia

Kathavarayan (1958) was a Tamil folk-mythological film starring Sivaji Ganesan and Savitri. The music was composed by G. Ramanathan, a pioneer of Tamil film music. This track features a rare ensemble performance combining notable female playback singers of the golden era, including A. P. Komala, K. Jamuna Rani, K. Rani, and Sundaramma.

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