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Padikkadha Medhai album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Aadi Pizhaithaalum Paadi Pizhaithaalum

From Padikkadha Medhai · 1960

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
P. Leela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Movie name
Padikkadha Medhai
Movie release year
1960
Lyrics added on
4 Oct 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Aadi pizhaithaalum paadi pizhaithaalum
Anbum panbum ellaiyadi
Aadi pizhaithaalum paadi pizhaithaalum
Anbum panbum ellaiyadi
Pagutharivai kedikkaadha perumai alikkaadha
Edhilum kevalam illaiyadi
Pagutharivai kedikkaadha perumai alikkaadha
Edhilum kevalam illaiyadi
Aadi pizhaithaalum paadi pizhaithaalum
Anbum panbum ellaiyadi
Pachai kodi pondra pennai manam kolla
Kanakkaiyum ketkkudhadi
Pachai kodi pondra pennai manam kolla
Kanakkaiyum ketkkudhadi
Puvi ichai mozhi pesi enna varum endru
Iruppaiyum paarkkudhadi
Puvi ichai mozhi pesi enna varum endru
Iruppaiyum paarkkudhadi
Aadi pizhaithaalum paadi pizhaithaalum
Anbum panbum ellaiyadi
Vaazhvu varum podhu sondha murai paesi
Varubavar kodiyadi
Vaazhvu varum podhu sondha murai paesi
Varubavar kodiyadi
Nilai thaazhndhu varum podhu
Petra magan kooda thanguvadhillaiyadi
Nilai thaazhndhu varum podhu
Petra magan kooda thanguvadhillaiyadi
Pasikku virundhaaga noikku marundhaaga
Iruppavar dheivamadi
Pasikku virundhaaga noikku marundhaaga
Iruppavar dheivamadi
Than pasiyai karudhaamal pirarukku kodupporgal
Dheivathin dheivamadi
Than pasiyai karudhaamal pirarukku kodupporgal
Dheivathin dheivamadi
Aadi pizhaithaalum paadi pizhaithaalum
Anbum panbum ellaiyadi
Pagutharivai kedikkaadha perumai alikkaadha
Edhilum kevalam illaiyadi
Aadi pizhaithaalum paadi pizhaithaalum
Anbum panbum ellaiyadi
Whether we earn a living by dancing or by singing,
Love and good character must be our guiding bounds, my friend.
Whether we earn a living by dancing or by singing,
Love and good character must be our guiding bounds, my friend.
As long as it does not harm good sense or destroy dignity,
There is no shame in any work, my friend.
As long as it does not harm good sense or destroy dignity,
There is no shame in any work, my friend.
Whether we earn a living by dancing or by singing,
Love and good character must be our guiding bounds, my friend.
Even to marry a tender girl, delicate like a green vine,
People still demand money, my friend!
Even to marry a tender girl, delicate like a green vine,
People still demand money, my friend!
Speaking sweet flattering words to see what they can gain,
This world only checks your wealth, my friend!
Speaking sweet flattering words to see what they can gain,
This world only checks your wealth, my friend!
Whether we earn a living by dancing or by singing,
Love and good character must be our guiding bounds, my friend.
When good fortune arrives, claiming ties of kinship,
Countless people will come to you, my friend!
When good fortune arrives, claiming ties of kinship,
Countless people will come to you, my friend!
Yet when hard times fall upon you,
Even your own son will not stay by your side, my friend.
Yet when hard times fall upon you,
Even your own son will not stay by your side, my friend.
One who is a meal for the hungry and a remedy for the sick,
Is truly equal to God, my friend!
One who is a meal for the hungry and a remedy for the sick,
Is truly equal to God, my friend!
Those who give to others without caring for their own hunger,
Are a God even to God, my friend!
Those who give to others without caring for their own hunger,
Are a God even to God, my friend!
Whether we earn a living by dancing or by singing,
Love and good character must be our guiding bounds, my friend.
As long as it does not harm good sense or destroy dignity,
There is no shame in any work, my friend.
Whether we earn a living by dancing or by singing,
Love and good character must be our guiding bounds, my friend.
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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.

Keep listening

Songs with a similar feeling

Maana Porantha1965
Kanni ThaaiContemplativePoverty
Sandi Kuthirai Nondi Kuthirai1962
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Nee Kettadhu Inbam1960
Aalukkoru VeeduPovertyMelancholic
Iraivanukke Therinthu1974
SisubalanMelancholicContemplative
Dharmam Thalai1963
Dharmam Thalai KaakkumCompassionMortality
Ethanai Periya1965
Aasai MugamContemplativeMortality

From the same album

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Padikkadha MedhaiConfident

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