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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Yezhaiyin Siripil

From Pillaiyo Pillai · 1972

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Pillaiyo Pillai1972

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Uyarntha idaththil iruppavan naanI am one who resides in an elevated position
Oivillaamal uzhaippavan naanI am one who works endlessly without rest
Thuyar vanthaalum sirippavan naanI am one who smiles even when grief arrives
Thodarnthu munnera thudippavan naanI am one who strives continuously to move forward
Male
Yaezhaiyin sirippil iraivanGod lives in the smile of the poor
Iruppathai sonnaan thalaivanSo declared our leader
Yaezhaiyin sirippil iraivanGod lives in the smile of the poor
Iruppathai sonnaan thalaivanSo declared our leader
Male
Annanavan solliya sollaiThe words spoken by that elder brother
Annanavan solliya sollaiThe words spoken by that elder brother
Naan ennaalum maranthathu illaiI have never forgotten on any day
Male
Yaezhaiyin sirippil iraivanGod lives in the smile of the poor
Iruppathai sonnaan thalaivanSo declared our leader
Annanavan solliya sollaiThe words spoken by that elder brother
Naan ennaalum maranthathu illaiI have never forgotten on any day
Male
Thaayagaththin maanam kaakkum veerarellaamAll the brave who protect the honor of the motherland
Mathithu vananga thagunthavaraamAre worthy of being respected and revered
Kozhai polae vaazhpavaraiThose who live like cowards
Pettra thaayum veruppaalaamEven their birth mother will despise
Male
Thaayagaththin maanam kaakkum veerarellaamAll the brave who protect the honor of the motherland
Mathithu vananga thagunthavaraamAre worthy of being respected and revered
Kozhai polae vaazhpavaraiThose who live like cowards
Pettra thaayum veruppaalaamEven their birth mother will despise
Male
Thozhargalae kadamai seithu mudiththa pinnaeComrades, after completing your duty
Urimai kettu kural kodungalRaise your voice to demand your rights
Thozhil nadaththum seemaangalYou wealthy lords who run enterprises
Uzhaippuketha porul kodungalGive fair pay worthy of the hard labor
Uzhaippuketha porul kodungalGive fair pay worthy of the hard labor
Male
Yaezhaiyin sirippil iraivanGod lives in the smile of the poor
Iruppathai sonnaan thalaivanSo declared our leader
Annanavan solliya sollaiThe words spoken by that elder brother
Naan ennaalum maranthathu illaiI have never forgotten on any day
Chorus
………………...
Male
Vaalipargal mudiyil paathi mugam maraiththaarYouth covered half their face with hair
Mugaththukirandu thoongal vaiththaarThey placed two pillars on their face as sideburns
Moolai valarum kaalaththilaeDuring the age when intellect should grow
Mudiyai valarkka paadupattaarThey struggled hard to grow their hair
Male
Vaalipargal mudiyil paathi mugam maraiththaarYouth covered half their face with hair
Mugaththukirandu thoongal vaiththaarThey placed two pillars on their face as sideburns
Moolai valarum kaalaththilaeDuring the age when intellect should grow
Mudiyai valarkka paadupattaarThey struggled hard to grow their hair
Male
Vanjiyargal alungi kulungi nadappatharkkuFor women who walk swaying and shaking
Aadai lungithaan edharkkuWhy wear lungis and modern attire?
Selai seitha paavamennaWhat sin did the traditional saree commit?
Melai naattu mogamennaWhat is this craze for Western trends?
Male
Yaezhaiyin sirippil iraivanGod lives in the smile of the poor
Iruppathai sonnaan thalaivanSo declared our leader
Annanavan solliya sollaiThe words spoken by that elder brother
Naan ennaalum maranthathu illaiI have never forgotten on any day

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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.

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