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Isaimozhi
Pillaiyo Pillai album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Yezhaiyin Siripil

From Pillaiyo Pillai · 1972

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Pillaiyo Pillai
Movie release year
1972
Lyrics added on
26 Feb 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Uyarntha idaththil iruppavan naan
Oivillaamal uzhaippavan naan
Thuyar vanthaalum sirippavan naan
Thodarnthu munnera thudippavan naan
Yaezhaiyin sirippil iraivan
Iruppathai sonnaan thalaivan
Yaezhaiyin sirippil iraivan
Iruppathai sonnaan thalaivan
Annanavan solliya sollai
Annanavan solliya sollai
Naan ennaalum maranthathu illai
Yaezhaiyin sirippil iraivan
Iruppathai sonnaan thalaivan
Annanavan solliya sollai
Naan ennaalum maranthathu illai
Thaayagaththin maanam kaakkum veerarellaam
Mathithu vananga thagunthavaraam
Kozhai polae vaazhpavarai
Pettra thaayum veruppaalaam
Thaayagaththin maanam kaakkum veerarellaam
Mathithu vananga thagunthavaraam
Kozhai polae vaazhpavarai
Pettra thaayum veruppaalaam
Thozhargalae kadamai seithu mudiththa pinnae
Urimai kettu kural kodungal
Thozhil nadaththum seemaangal
Uzhaippuketha porul kodungal
Uzhaippuketha porul kodungal
Yaezhaiyin sirippil iraivan
Iruppathai sonnaan thalaivan
Annanavan solliya sollai
Naan ennaalum maranthathu illai
………………
Vaalipargal mudiyil paathi mugam maraiththaar
Mugaththukirandu thoongal vaiththaar
Moolai valarum kaalaththilae
Mudiyai valarkka paadupattaar
Vaalipargal mudiyil paathi mugam maraiththaar
Mugaththukirandu thoongal vaiththaar
Moolai valarum kaalaththilae
Mudiyai valarkka paadupattaar
Vanjiyargal alungi kulungi nadappatharkku
Aadai lungithaan edharkku
Selai seitha paavamenna
Melai naattu mogamenna
Yaezhaiyin sirippil iraivan
Iruppathai sonnaan thalaivan
Annanavan solliya sollai
Naan ennaalum maranthathu illai
I am one who stays in a high place
I am one who works without rest
I am one who smiles even when sorrow comes
I am one who longs to continuously move forward
In the smile of the poor, God...
...resides, so said the leader
In the smile of the poor, God...
...resides, so said the leader
The words spoken by that elder brother
The words spoken by that elder brother
I have never forgotten at any time
In the smile of the poor, God...
...resides, so said the leader
The words spoken by that elder brother
I have never forgotten at any time
All the heroes who protect the honor of the motherland
Are worthy of being respected and revered
Those who live like cowards
Even the mother who gave birth to them will despise
All the heroes who protect the honor of the motherland
Are worthy of being respected and revered
Those who live like cowards
Even the mother who gave birth to them will despise
Comrades, only after fulfilling your duty
Raise your voice to demand your rights
Lords who run businesses
Give wealth worthy of the hard labor
Give wealth worthy of the hard labor
In the smile of the poor, God...
...resides, so said the leader
The words spoken by that elder brother
I have never forgotten at any time
...
Young men covered half their faces with hair
They placed two pillars on their face
In the time when the brain should grow
They struggled hard to grow hair
Young men covered half their faces with hair
They placed two pillars on their face
In the time when the brain should grow
They struggled hard to grow hair
For young women to walk swaying and mincing
Why on earth do they need a lungi as clothing
What sin did the saree commit
What is this fascination with Western culture
In the smile of the poor, God...
...resides, so said the leader
The words spoken by that elder brother
I have never forgotten at any time
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Chorus
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song reflects the social and political ideals popularized by C. N. Annadurai (Anna), whose famous maxim was 'Ezhaiyin sirippil iraivanaik kanalaam' (God is found in the smile of the poor). The speaker emphasizes diligence, resilience, patriotism, and labor rights—urging workers to do their duty before demanding rights, while demanding fair wages from business owners. The latter verses lightheartedly critique early 1970s youth fashion crazes, such as long hair, thick sideburns, and Westernized attire, advising young people to prioritize intellectual growth and cultural identity over fleeting trends.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

“Uyarntha idaththil iruppavan naan / Oivillaamal uzhaippavan naan”

Repetition of the ending word 'naan' across consecutive lines creates rhythmic consistency.

Edhukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

“Selai seitha paavamenna / Melai naattu mogamenna”

The second letter 'lai' rhymes across both lines ('Selai' and 'Melai').

Monai (Alliteration)

“Moolai valarum kaalaththilae / Mudiyai valarkka paadupattaar”

Repetition of the initial 'M' sound in 'Moolai' and 'Mudiyai'.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song incorporates the iconic political philosophy of C. N. Annadurai ('Annan' / 'Thalaivan'). The film Pillaiyo Pillai (1972) starred M. K. Muthu, the eldest son of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, and was written to establish his cinematic image.

Keep listening

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Enna Muthalali Sowkkiyama (Short)1972
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Uzhaikkum Iname1978
Vandikkaran MaganWork And DutyResilience
Koovungal Sevalgale1982
Thanikattu RajaPovertyWork And Duty
Ennamma Rani1971
Kumari KottamPovertyDignity

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