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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aadi Pizhaithaalum Paadi Pizhaithaalum

From Padikkadha Medhai · 1960

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
P. Leela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Padikkadha Medhai1960

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Aadi pizhaithaalum paadi pizhaithaalumWhether making a living by dancing or singing,
Anbum panbum ellaiyadiLove and character know no bounds, my dear.
Aadi pizhaithaalum paadi pizhaithaalumWhether making a living by dancing or singing,
Anbum panbum ellaiyadiLove and character know no bounds, my dear.
Pagutharivai kedikkaadha perumai alikkaadhaAs long as it does not spoil rationality or ruin self-respect,
Edhilum kevalam illaiyadiThere is no disgrace in doing any work, my dear.
Pagutharivai kedikkaadha perumai alikkaadhaAs long as it does not spoil rationality or ruin self-respect,
Edhilum kevalam illaiyadiThere is no disgrace in doing any work, my dear.
Female
Aadi pizhaithaalum paadi pizhaithaalumWhether making a living by dancing or singing,
Anbum panbum ellaiyadiLove and character know no bounds, my dear.
Female
Pachai kodi pondra pennai manam kollaTo marry a tender girl who is like a green vine,
Kanakkaiyum ketkkudhadiPeople demand financial calculations and dowry, my dear.
Pachai kodi pondra pennai manam kollaTo marry a tender girl who is like a green vine,
Kanakkaiyum ketkkudhadiPeople demand financial calculations and dowry, my dear.
Puvi ichai mozhi pesi enna varum endruSpeaking sweet worldly words to see what advantage they get,
Iruppaiyum paarkkudhadiThey closely examine one's wealth and status, my dear.
Puvi ichai mozhi pesi enna varum endruSpeaking sweet worldly words to see what advantage they get,
Iruppaiyum paarkkudhadiThey closely examine one's wealth and status, my dear.
Female
Aadi pizhaithaalum paadi pizhaithaalumWhether making a living by dancing or singing,
Anbum panbum ellaiyadiLove and character know no bounds, my dear.
Female
Vaazhvu varum podhu sondha murai paesiWhen good times and prosperity arrive, claim relations,
Varubavar kodiyadiMillions of fair-weather friends will flock to you, my dear.
Vaazhvu varum podhu sondha murai paesiWhen good times and prosperity arrive, claim relations,
Varubavar kodiyadiMillions of fair-weather friends will flock to you, my dear.
Nilai thaazhndhu varum podhuWhen one's status falls and adversity strikes,
Petra magan kooda thanguvadhillaiyadiEven one's own son will not stay to comfort you, my dear.
Nilai thaazhndhu varum podhuWhen one's status falls and adversity strikes,
Petra magan kooda thanguvadhillaiyadiEven one's own son will not stay to comfort you, my dear.
Female
Pasikku virundhaaga noikku marundhaagaServing as food for the hungry and medicine for the sick,
Iruppavar dheivamadiThose who help in need are equivalent to God, my dear.
Pasikku virundhaaga noikku marundhaagaServing as food for the hungry and medicine for the sick,
Iruppavar dheivamadiThose who help in need are equivalent to God, my dear.
Than pasiyai karudhaamal pirarukku kodupporgalDisregarding their own hunger and offering food to others,
Dheivathin dheivamadiThey are the God of all gods, my dear.
Than pasiyai karudhaamal pirarukku kodupporgalDisregarding their own hunger and offering food to others,
Dheivathin dheivamadiThey are the God of all gods, my dear.
Female
Aadi pizhaithaalum paadi pizhaithaalumWhether making a living by dancing or singing,
Anbum panbum ellaiyadiLove and character know no bounds, my dear.
Pagutharivai kedikkaadha perumai alikkaadhaAs long as it does not spoil rationality or ruin self-respect,
Edhilum kevalam illaiyadiThere is no disgrace in doing any work, my dear.
Female
Aadi pizhaithaalum paadi pizhaithaalumWhether making a living by dancing or singing,
Anbum panbum ellaiyadiLove and character know no bounds, my dear.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic philosophical song from Padikkadha Medhai emphasizes the dignity of labor, human character, and selflessness. It argues that no honest profession is disgraceful as long as it upholds self-respect and rational thinking. The lyricist laments how society measures marital alliances by financial wealth rather than human values, and criticizes fair-weather friends and family who stick around only during prosperous times but abandon a person during hardship. Ultimately, the song elevates selflessness and charity above all virtues. Those who cure sickness, feed the hungry, and prioritize the needs of others over their own are declared to be the true manifestation of divinity on earth.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Pachai kodi pondra pennai manam kolla

Compares a young, gentle woman to a delicate green vine ('Pachai kodi pondra pennai').

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Aadi pizhaithaalum paadi pizhaithaalum / Anbum panbum ellaiyadi

Repetition of initial vocalic sounds in 'Aadi' and 'Anbum' across lines.

Ethirai (Second-letter Assonance / Rhyme)

Pasikku virundhaaga noikku marundhaaga

Matching second consonants in paired phrases like 'Pasikku' and 'Iruppavar' / 'Pasikku' and 'Noikku'.

Iyaippu (End Rhyme)

Anbum panbum ellaiyadi

Consistent end-rhyme address marker 'adi' across multiple stanzas creating a conversational folk tone.

Did you know?

Trivia

Though listed as unknown in the prompt, the music for 'Padikkadha Medhai' (1960) was composed by the legendary K. V. Mahadevan. The movie starring Sivaji Ganesan and Sowcar Janaki is renowned for its deeply philosophical songs penned by A. Maruthakasi and Kannadasan.

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