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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aangila Nagareegam Nallathu

From Ponnu Vilaiyum Boomi · 1959

Lyricist
K. S. Gopalakrishnan
Singers
P. Susheela, K. Jamunarani
Music director
K. H. Reddy
Details
Ponnu Vilaiyum Boomi1959

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
HmmmHmmm
Aangila nagareegam nalladhuWestern civilization is good
Arpudhamana kalai ulladhuIt possesses wonderful art forms
Female
Aangila nagareegam nalladhuWestern civilization is good
Arpudhamana kalai ulladhuIt possesses wonderful art forms
Female
Pongidum inba isai kondadhuIt holds overflowing, joyful music
Boomiyil eedu iniyattradhuIt has no match on this earth anymore
Female
Pongidum inba isai kondadhuIt holds overflowing, joyful music
Boomiyil eedu iniyattradhuIt has no match on this earth anymore
Female
Oo oiyaarm konjudhu ..uuOh, elegance caresses...
Ulagathai minjudhu..uuIt excels the world...
Oiyaarm konjudhu ..Elegance caresses...
Ulagathai minjudhuIt excels the world
Unmaiyil paarkkaTruth be told
Endhan ullam anjudhuMy heart feels afraid
Female
Aangila nagareegam nalladhuWestern civilization is good
Arpudhamana kalai ulladhuIt possesses wonderful art forms
Aangila nagareegam nalladhuWestern civilization is good
Female
Hoo..oooHoo..ooo
Singaara chinna pennae nillammaBeautiful young girl, wait a moment
Sindhanai seidhu nee sollamma…Think carefully and tell me...
Female
Hoo..oooHoo..ooo
Singaara chinna pennae nillammaBeautiful young girl, wait a moment
Sindhanai seidhu nee sollamma…Think carefully and tell me...
Female
Ho ho ho oooiHo ho ho oooi
Hoo ho ho oooiHoo ho ho oooi
Female
Kalaigalil baedham kaanalaagumaCan one make discrimination among arts?
Yedhum kaanamal kuttram sollal nyayamaIs it fair to find fault without understanding anything?
Hoo oo ooHoo oo oo
Kalaigalil baedham kaanalaagumaCan one make discrimination among arts?
Yedhum kaanamal kuttram sollal nyayamaIs it fair to find fault without understanding anything?
Female
Oru malar pala manam veesumaDoes a single flower spread multiple fragrances?
Oru malar pala manam veesumaDoes a single flower spread multiple fragrances?
Makkal ullam endha naalum ondrai rasikkumaWill people's minds always enjoy only one thing?
Female
Singaara chinna pennae nillammaBeautiful young girl, wait a moment
Sindhanai seidhu nee sollamma…Think carefully and tell me...
Female
Hoo..oooHoo..ooo
Singaara chinna pennae nillammaBeautiful young girl, wait a moment
Sindhanai seidhu nee sollamma…Think carefully and tell me...
Female
………………………...
Balae balae balaeBravo, bravo, bravo
Balae balae ho ho hoBravo, bravo, ho ho ho
Female
Ho ho ho ho oh oh ho hoHo ho ho ho oh oh ho ho

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song presents a musical dialogue and cultural debate between two perspectives on modern Western civilization and art. One side marvels at Western music and elegance, praising its unmatched beauty while expressing a sense of awe and slight hesitation. The responding voice urges thoughtful consideration, arguing against discriminating between different art forms and questioning whether one should criticize unfamiliar cultures. Through analogies like flowers and human taste, the lyricist emphasizes that art takes many forms and that diversity in music and appreciation should be embraced rather than judged dismissively.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Emona / Rhyme (Iyaibu)

Aangila nagareegam nalladhu / Arpudhamana kalai ulladhu

End-rhyme created using similar suffix endings 'nalladhu' and 'ulladhu' to create a rhythmic, melodic flow.

Rhetorical Question

Kalaigalil baedham kaanalaaguma / Yedhum kaanamal kuttram sollal nyayama

The lyricist uses rhetorical questions to challenge prejudice against foreign art forms and encourage open-minded reflection.

Analogy / Metaphor

Oru malar pala manam veesuma / Makkal ullam endha naalum ondrai rasikkuma

The flower fragrance analogy illustrates that just as nature offers diverse experiences, human appreciation of art is varied and cannot be restricted to a single style.

Did you know?

Trivia

Featured in the 1959 film 'Ponnu Vilaiyum Boomi', this song is structured as a classical-meets-western musical duel typical of 1950s Tamil cinema debates on modernism vs tradition. It brought together legendary playbacks P. Susheela and K. Jamunarani under the rare musical direction of K. H. Reddy.

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