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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Angamuthu Thangamuthu

From Thangaikaga · 1971

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
A. L. Ragavan, Chorus
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Thangaikaga1971

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Angamuthu thangamuthu thannikku ponaalaamIt is said Angamuthu Thangamuthu went to fetch water.
Thanni kudaththa keezhae vachchi enkittae vanthaalaamShe put down her water pot and came over to me.
Chorus :Angamuthu thangamuthu thannikku ponaalaamChorus: It is said Angamuthu Thangamuthu went to fetch water.
Thanni kudaththa keezhae vachchi enkittae vanthaalaamShe put down her water pot and came over to me.
Chorus
Neela kunguma paamaa un selai vilagalaamaaOh blue-vermilion Bhama, is it okay for your saree to slip?
Neela koondhal meena adhil paathi iraval thaanaaOh Meena with blue hair, is half of that hair a borrowed wig?
One boy-um girl-um meettu adhil day-um night-um heat-tuOne boy and girl meet, and in that, day and night are full of heat.
One boy-um girl-um meettu adhil day-um night-um heat-tuOne boy and girl meet, and in that, day and night are full of heat.
Chorus :Oh paaila paaila paaila oh paaila paaila paailaChorus: Oh paaila paaila paaila, oh paaila paaila paaila!
Oh paaila paaila paaila oh paaila paaila paailaOh paaila paaila paaila, oh paaila paaila paaila!
Male
Operation illaamalae aambala pombalayaanaanWithout any surgery, a man became a woman.
Co operation thedikkittu kodampaakkam ponaanSeeking cooperation, he went off to Kodambakkam.
Operation illaamalae aambala pombalayaanaanWithout any surgery, a man became a woman.
Co operation thedikkittu kodampaakkam ponaanSeeking cooperation, he went off to Kodambakkam.
Male
Corporation lorry ondru kattiyirukkuthu sorryA Corporation lorry wearing a saree... sorry!
Aasai konjam meeri iva aaru maasam carryHer desires crossed limits, and now she is six months pregnant!
Chorus :Oh paaila paaila paaila oh paaila paaila paailaChorus: Oh paaila paaila paaila, oh paaila paaila paaila!
Oh paaila paaila paaila oh paaila paaila paailaOh paaila paaila paaila, oh paaila paaila paaila!
Male
Ivan collage-kku pogaamalae kalvi manthiri aanaanWithout ever going to college, he became the Education Minister!
Ivan coffee hotel vatchirunthavanThis guy who used to run a coffee hotel...
Unavu manthiri aanaan...became the Food Minister!
Male
Paattu paadum rama naam padikka pogalaamaaOh singing Rama, shall we go to study?
Koottam poduvomaa poraattam nadaththalaamaaShall we gather a crowd and stage a protest?
Male
Edhirkaalam engal kaiyilThe future is in our hands!
Intha desam engal paiyilThis country is in our pocket!
Chorus :Edhirkaalam engal kaiyilChorus: The future is in our hands!
Intha desam engal paiyilThis country is in our pocket!
Male
Angamuthu thangamuthu thannikku ponaalaamIt is said Angamuthu Thangamuthu went to fetch water.
Thanni kudaththa keezhae vachchi enkittae vanthaalaamShe put down her water pot and came over to me.
Male
Tamizh padikkum engalukkuFor us who study Tamil...
Tamizhilaethaan bakthi...our devotion lies in Tamil itself!
Adhai thadukka vanthaal thirandu ezhumIf anyone comes to oppose that, there will rise...
Maanavargal sakthi…....the unified power of students!
Male
Poruliyalum padippomWe will also study economics!
Naattil pudhu vazhiyum vaguppomWe will pave a new path for the country!
Arasiyalai madhippomWe will respect politics!
Intha aatchiyaiyum pidippomAnd we will capture this governance!
Male
Edhirkaalam engal kaiyilThe future is in our hands!
Intha desam engal paiyilThis country is in our pocket!
Chorus :Edhirkaalam engal kaiyilChorus: The future is in our hands!
Intha desam engal paiyilThis country is in our pocket!
Male
Angamuthu thangamuthu thannikku ponaalaamIt is said Angamuthu Thangamuthu went to fetch water.
Thanni kudaththa keezhae vachchi enkittae vanthaalaamShe put down her water pot and came over to me.
Chorus :Angamuthu thangamuthu thannikku ponaalaamChorus: It is said Angamuthu Thangamuthu went to fetch water.
Thanni kudaththa keezhae vachchi enkittae vanthaalaamShe put down her water pot and came over to me.
Chorus
Oh paaila paaila paaila oh paaila paaila paailaOh paaila paaila paaila, oh paaila paaila paaila!
Oh paaila paaila paaila oh paaila paaila paailaOh paaila paaila paaila, oh paaila paaila paaila!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Angamuthu Thangamuthu is a vibrant, satirical college youth song from the 1971 Tamil film Thangaikaga. Sung by A. L. Raghavan alongside a chorus, the track blends humorous romantic tease, satirical commentary on cinema and politics, and a rallying cry for student empowerment. The lyrics touch upon youth romance, make fun of quick ascents to power without qualifications, and shift into an inspiring anthem celebrating Tamil language devotion, education, and student leadership in politics.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Rhyme / Monai

Angamuthu thangamuthu thannikku ponaalaam

Alliteration of the initial consonant sounds 'Angamuthu' and 'thangamuthu' creates a rhythmic folk-like cadence.

Tanglish / Code-mixing

One boy-um girl-um meettu adhil day-um night-um heat-tu

Blending English words ('boy', 'girl', 'meet', 'day', 'night', 'heat') into Tamil grammar for playful modern effect.

End Rhyme (Iyaibu)

Poruliyalum padippom / Naattil pudhu vazhiyum vaguppom / Arasiyalai madhippom / Intha aatchiyaiyum pidippom

Uniform verbal suffix ending in '-om' across lines creating an emphatic pledge structure.

Hyperbole & Metaphor

Intha desam engal paiyil

Exaggerated metaphor symbolizing youthful confidence and control over the nation's destiny.

Did you know?

Trivia

Singer A. L. Raghavan was famous for delivering energetic, westernized, and comic songs in 1960s and 70s Tamil cinema. Lyricist Kannadasan used early 'Tanglish' wordplay in this song decades before it became a standard trend in modern Tamil film music.

Keep listening

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