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Lyrics & meaning

Aadal Padal Kanum

From Chittoor Rani Padmini · 1963

Lyricist
Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniam
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Details
Chittoor Rani Padmini1963

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Aadal paadal kaanum podhae veeramaIs true valor shown only while watching dance and music?
Aiyaa kaiyil vazhum vaazhum velum venumaSir, do you really need a sword and a spear in your hand?
Aasaiyunda ennai kandaal achaam undaaDo you feel desire, or do you feel fear upon seeing me?
Aadal paadal kaanum podhae veeramaIs true valor shown only while watching dance and music?
Aiyaa kaiyil vazhum vaazhum velum venumaSir, do you really need a sword and a spear in your hand?
Female
Vizhiyennum velgal thannaiThe sharp spears that are my eyes,
Veesidum ambum vellumaaCan even a shot arrow overcome them?
Vilaiyaadum paavai munnaeBefore a playing, dancing maiden,
Veeranin jambam sellumaWill a warrior's pride hold any sway?
Female
Vizhiyennum velgal thannaiThe sharp spears that are my eyes,
Veesidum ambum vellumaaCan even a shot arrow overcome them?
Vilaiyaadum paavai munnaeBefore a playing, dancing maiden,
Veeranin jambam sellumaWill a warrior's pride hold any sway?
Female
Azhagennum poril ungalIn this battle called beauty, will your
Aanmai vetri kollumaaManliness attain victory?
Azhagennum poril ungalIn this battle called beauty, will your
Aanmai vetri kollumaaManliness attain victory?
Ariyaamal veenilingae vaalai yendhalaamaIs it right to hold a sword here fruitlessly without understanding?
Aadal paadal kaanum podhae veeramaIs true valor shown only while watching dance and music?
Aiyaa kaiyil vazhum vaazhum velum venumaSir, do you really need a sword and a spear in your hand?
Female
Mannaalum aasaiyellaamDoes the ambition to rule lands
Mangaiyin anbai minjumaaSurpass the tender love of a woman?
Manasukkul aaval kondumEven while holding desire in the heart,
Vaarthai solla panjamaIs there a shortage of words to express it?
Female
Mannaalum aasaiyellaamDoes the ambition to rule lands
Mangaiyin anbai minjumaaSurpass the tender love of a woman?
Manasukkul aaval kondumEven while holding desire in the heart,
Vaarthai solla panjamaIs there a shortage of words to express it?
Female
Mannadhi mannar nenjamWill the heart of a king of kings
Pennai kandu anjumaFeel fear upon seeing a woman?
Mannadhi mannar nenjamWill the heart of a king of kings
Pennai kandu anjumaFeel fear upon seeing a woman?
Magizhndhaadum neram thannilIn this joyful, celebratory moment,
Vaazhai yendhalaamaIs it appropriate to brandish a sword?
Female
Aadal paadal kaanum podhae veeramaIs true valor shown only while watching dance and music?
Aiyaa kaiyil vazhum vaazhum velum venumaSir, do you really need a sword and a spear in your hand?
Aasaiyunda ennai kandaal achaam undaaDo you feel desire, or do you feel fear upon seeing me?
Aadal paadal kaanum podhae veeramaIs true valor shown only while watching dance and music?
Aiyaa kaiyil vazhum vaazhum velum venumaSir, do you really need a sword and a spear in your hand?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from Chittoor Rani Padmini is a playful yet challenging dance number where a maiden gently teases a warrior king. She questions the necessity of holding weapons like swords and spears during a peaceful artistic performance, arguing that martial power holds no dominion over feminine charm, grace, and beauty. Through clever rhetorical questions, the lyricist highlights the contrast between martial pride and romantic longing. The maiden points out that even the grandest conquerors surrender to love, suggesting that the king should lay down his weapons and yield to joy and affection instead of maintaining a rigid posture of war.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvam)

Vizhiyennum velgal thannai

Compares eyes directly to spears ('Vizhiyennum velgal') to imply that a woman's gaze can be sharper and more lethal than actual weapons.

Metaphor (Uruvam)

Azhagennum poril ungal

Frames beauty and romance as a battlefield ('Azhagennum poril') where physical masculinity cannot easily claim victory.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Vizhiyennum velgal thannai

Repetition of the initial 'V' consonant sound across lines ('Vizhiyennum', 'Veesidum', 'Vilaiyaadum', 'Veeranin') creating a rhythmic, musical flow.

Rhetorical Question (Vinaa Aani)

Aaiyaa kaiyil vazhum vaazhum velum venuma

The entire song uses questioning as a poetic device to challenge the warrior's ego and highlight the irrelevance of weapons during a dance.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Chittoor Rani Padmini' (1963) features Vyjayanthimala as Queen Padmini and Sivaji Ganesan as Rana Ratan Sen. Composed by G. Ramanathan with lyrics by Ku. Ma. Balasubramaniam, this classical-inspired track sung by S. Janaki showcases Vyjayanthimala's exquisite dance abilities while subtly driving the historical drama's narrative.

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