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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Andha Mugama

From Paditha Manaivi · 1961

Lyricist
Panchu Arunachalam
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Paditha Manaivi1961

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Andha mugama indha mugamIs it that face or this face?
Idhil endha mugam thaan sondha mugamAmong these, which face is truly your real face?
Andha mugama indha mugamIs it that face or this face?
Idhil endha mugam thaan sondha mugamAmong these, which face is truly your real face?
Female
Andha manama indha manamIs it that heart or this heart?
Idhil endha manam thaan ungal manamAmong these, which heart is truly your real heart?
Andha manama indha manamIs it that heart or this heart?
Idhil endha manam thaan ungal manamAmong these, which heart is truly your real heart?
Male
Nilavum malarum sirippum irundhadhuThere was the moon, flower, and smiles
Andha mugathinilaeIn that face
Nilavum malarum sirippum irundhadhuThere was the moon, flower, and smiles
Andha mugathinilaeIn that face
Perum neruppum kodhippum puyalum irukkudhuThere is immense fire, boiling rage, and a storm
Indha mugathinileIn this face
Perum neruppum kodhippum puyalum irukkudhuThere is immense fire, boiling rage, and a storm
Indha mugathinileIn this face
Female
Anbu kadamai thiyagam irundhadhuThere was love, duty, and sacrifice
Andha manadhinileIn that heart
Anbu kadamai thiyagam irundhadhuThere was love, duty, and sacrifice
Andha manadhinileIn that heart
Verum aathiram avasaram vegam irukkudhuThere is mere anger, haste, and impetuosity
Indha manadhinileIn this heart
Aathiram avasaram vegam irukkudhuThere is anger, haste, and impetuosity
Indha manadhinileIn this heart
Male
Andha mugama indha mugamIs it that face or this face?
Idhil endha mugam thaan sondha mugamAmong these, which face is truly your real face?
Female
Andha manama indha manamIs it that heart or this heart?
Idhil endha manam thaan ungal manamAmong these, which heart is truly your real heart?
Male
Atcham naanam maunam idhai thaanFear, shyness, and silence—these are what
Idhuvarai valarthu vandhaaiYou nurtured until now
Atcham naanam maunam idhai thaanFear, shyness, and silence—these are what
Idhuvarai valarthu vandhaaiYou nurtured until now
Indha mechum arivum pechum idhu varaiThis praised wisdom and eloquence, until now
Engae maraithu vandhaaiWhere did you keep it hidden?
Indha mechum arivum pechum idhu varaiThis praised wisdom and eloquence, until now
Engae maraithu vandhaaiWhere did you keep it hidden?
Female
Kaakkum imaiyil kaayam irundhaalIf there is an injury to the protecting eyelid,
Kangal sivakaadhaWon't the eyes turn red?
Male : AhaaMale: Aha!
Female :Kaakkum imaiyil kaayam irundhaalFemale: If there is an injury to the protecting eyelid,
Kangal sivakaadhaWon't the eyes turn red?
Than kanavan porumai izhanthidum podhuWhen one's husband loses his patience,
Kavalai pirakadhaWon't sorrow be born?
Kanavan porumai izhanthidum podhuWhen the husband loses his patience,
Kavalai pirakadhaWon't sorrow be born?
Male
Andha mugama indha mugamIs it that face or this face?
Idhil endha mugam thaan sondha mugamAmong these, which face is truly your real face?
Female
Andha manama indha manamIs it that heart or this heart?
Idhil endha manam thaan ungal manamAmong these, which heart is truly your real heart?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from 'Paditha Manaivi' presents a compelling emotional duel between a husband and wife. The husband questions his wife's sudden transformation from a gentle, serene person (symbolized by the moon, flowers, love, and sacrifice) into an angry, turbulent persona (symbolized by fire, boiling rage, and storms). He wonders which version reflects her true identity and where her hidden intellect and eloquence came from. The wife responds with a deeply poetic justification, explaining that while she was raised with traditional virtues like modesty and silence, her assertive voice and fiery anger emerge only in response to her husband's lost patience. She draws a powerful analogy: just as an eye naturally turns red and irritated when its protective eyelid is hurt, a devoted wife cannot remain calm or silent when her husband suffers or acts out.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethirsol / Antithesis (எதிர்ச்சொல்)

Andha mugama indha mugam

Contrasts the past gentle nature ('Andha mugam') with the present stormy anger ('Indha mugam').

Uruvagaimai / Metaphor (உருவகம்)

Perum neruppum kodhippum puyalum irukkudhu

Metaphorically compares gentle emotions to the moon and flowers, and anger to fire, boiling heat, and a storm.

Monai / Alliteration (மோனை)

Atcham naanam maunam idhai thaan

Repetition of initial phonetic sounds across words (e.g., Atcham, Avasaram, Aathiram) to build rhythmic flow.

Uvamaani / Analogy (உவமை)

Kaakkum imaiyil kaayam irundhaal / Kangal sivakaadha

Uses the organic relationship between an eyelid and the eye to explain how a wife's grief and anger are an innate reaction to her husband losing his patience.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Paditha Manaivi' (1961), with music by K. V. Mahadevan, is known for its thoughtful portrayal of marital communication and dynamics. The duet format functions as an intellectual debate between the characters, combining classical Tamil virtues with sharp modern questioning.

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