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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vettunda Kaiyum

From Orey Vazhi · 1959

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Leela
Music director
R. Govarthanam
Movie name
Orey Vazhi
Movie release year
1959
Lyrics added on
16 Apr 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Vettunda kaiyum
Veezhndhu vitta poongodiyum
Kattunduthaan vanangum
Kanniyargal ponadiyai
Koon vilundha maanidargal
Kuvindhirukkum samudhayam
Thaan vilundhu vanangum naal
Thalaimuraiyil vaarathatho
Poluthu vidiyaadho
Pudhu paadhai thondratho
Azhuthazhudhu kanniyargal
Alarum naal maaradhadho
Pazhudhupadaa uthamanae
Panbumigum kanniyanae
Viludhu vida veitha maram
Vilunthuvittaal sammadhamo
Maalaiyitta mangaiyarukku
Vaazhvil orae vazhithaan
Thaal pidithu ketpaayoo
Thalai kunindhu azhaipaayoo
Thangaiyinai vaazha vaikka
Thayangaadhae purapattu nee
Vettunda kaiyum
Veezhndhu vitta poongodiyum
Kattunduthaan vanangum
Kanniyargal ponadiyai
Koon vilundha maanidargal
Kuvindhirukkum samudhayam
Thaan vilundhu vanangum naal
Thalaimuraiyil vaarathatho
Like severed hands
and fallen flowering vines,
they are bound and made to bow;
at the golden feet of these women,
will this society crowded
with bent and broken people
not fall and bow in reverence
in our very generation?
Will a new dawn never break?
Will a new path never open?
Will the days when young women
weep and cry out never change?
O flawless and noble man,
O person of virtue and honor,
if the tree that took root
falls to the ground, would you accept it?
For a woman who wears the wedding garland,
there is only one path in life.
Will you hold feet and plead?
Will you bow your head and welcome her?
To give your sister a life,
do not hesitate—set forth now!
Like severed hands
and fallen flowering vines,
they are bound and made to bow;
at the golden feet of these women,
will this society crowded
with bent and broken people
not fall and bow in reverence
in our very generation?
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This emotionally charged song from the 1959 movie 'Orey Vazhi' questions the societal injustices, suffering, and subjugation faced by women. Lyricist Kannadasan asks whether a dawn of transformation will ever arrive where society treats women with golden respect rather than letting them suffer in tears. The song serves as a passionate plea to noble, virtuous young men to rise up, break regressive traditions, and safeguard the dignity and future of women—be it a wife or a sister.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Veezhndhu vitta poongodiyum

Compares a delicate, suffering woman to a 'poongodi' (fallen flowering creeper) and a family protector to a rooted tree ('maram').

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Poluthu vidiyaadho / Pudhu paadhai thondratho

Repetition of initial consonant sound 'P' across consecutive lines (Poluthu / Pudhu).

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Thangaiyinai vaazha vaikka / Thayangaadhae purapattu nee

Repetition of initial 'Th' sound across lines to emphasize urgency and duty towards one's sister.

Rhetorical Question (Vinaa Aani)

Thalaimuraiyil vaarathatho

Using repeated rhetorical questioning (-o suffix) to evoke strong emotion regarding social reform.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Orey Vazhi' (1959) was directed by K. Shankar and featured music composed by R. Govarthanam. The song is rendered by P. Leela, known for her classical depth, bringing Kannadasan's reformist lyrics to life during a pivotal era of socialistic themes in Tamil cinema.

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