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Kanniyin Sabatham album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Appadi Paartthaalum

From Kanniyin Sabatham · 1958

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
A. P. Komala
Music director
T. G. Lingappa
Movie name
Kanniyin Sabatham
Movie release year
1958
Lyrics added on
31 Oct 2025

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Appadi paarththaalum
Illae ippadi paarththaalum pengal
Sorpadi aadavar aaduvathallaal
Appuram ippuram thappuvathillai
Appadi paarththaalum
Illae ippadi paarththaalum pengal
Sorpadi aadavar aaduvathallaal
Appuram ippuram thappuvathillai
Appadi paarththaalum
Illae ippadi paarththaalum
Kaippidi naayagan kadhalukkaaga
Kannagi kaaththirunthaal
Kaippidi naayagan kadhalukkaaga
Kannagi kaaththirunthaal
Aval kadhalai thalliya kovalan maarbil
Maadhavi saainthirunthaal
Aval kadhalai thalliya kovalan maarbil
Maadhavi saainthirunthaal
Appozhuthum angu aandathu
Engal alli paramparaithaan
Idhu aayirankaalam ponathendraalim
Azhivillaathu uruthiyaagum
Appadi paarththaalum
Illae ippadi paarththaalum
Mannai veruththavar
Pennai veruththavar
Pennai veruththathillai
Mannai veruththavar
Pennai veruththavar
Pennai veruththathillai
Pengal maayamendrodiya nyaanigalum
Antha maayaikku thappavillai
Ellai illaatha devargalum
Ilam deviyar kaikalilae
Ellai illaatha devargalum
Ilam deviyar kaikalilae
Indraikkum endraikkum irupathaaga
Yaedugal solvathai naadariyum
Appadi paarththaalum
Illae ippadi paarththaalum
Vaanamum bhoomiyum vanthu vanangum
Mangaiyar kaalgalilae
Aanavaraikkum ottrumai kandaal
Anantham vaazhvinilae
Nenjil aasai mevum velai thorum
Paasam koorum jaadai kaattida…
Appadi paarththaalum
Illae ippadi paarththaalum
Sorpadi aadavar aaduvathallaal
Appuram ippuram thappuvathillai
Appadi paarththaalum
Illae ippadi paarththaalum
Whether you look at it that way,
or look at it this way, women
make men dance to their tune,
and they cannot escape either way!
Whether you look at it that way,
or look at it this way, women
make men dance to their tune,
and they cannot escape either way!
Whether you look at it that way,
or look at it this way!
For the love of the husband who took her hand,
Kannagi kept waiting.
For the love of the husband who took her hand,
Kannagi kept waiting.
While resting upon the chest of Kovalan, who cast Kannagi's love aside,
Madhavi lay softly.
While resting upon the chest of Kovalan, who cast Kannagi's love aside,
Madhavi lay softly.
Even back then, the one who ruled
was none other than our Alli (legendary queen) lineage!
Even if thousands of years pass by,
this truth will stand firm and unbroken!
Whether you look at it that way,
or look at it this way!
Those who renounced worldly power,
and those said to renounce women,
have never truly given up on women!
Those who renounced worldly power,
and those said to renounce women,
have never truly given up on women!
Even the sages who ran away calling women an illusion
could not escape that very spell!
Even the all-powerful gods
rest in the hands of young goddesses;
Even the all-powerful gods
rest in the hands of young goddesses;
that this has been true forever and always,
the whole land knows from ancient scriptures!
Whether you look at it that way,
or look at it this way!
Both the sky and the earth bow down
at the feet of women!
As long as we live together in harmony,
life will be full of joy!
Whenever desire fills the heart,
showing hints of tender love...
Whether you look at it that way,
or look at it this way,
men must dance to women's words,
and cannot escape either way!
Whether you look at it that way,
or look at it this way!
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This iconic Tamil song celebrates womanhood and the supreme influence women hold over society and men throughout history. The lyrics highlight historical and mythological references—such as Kannagi, Madhavi, Queen Alli, and divine goddesses—to illustrate that no matter how powerful, ascetic, or divine a man is, he ultimately operates under the influence and charm of women. Kannadasan poetically asserts that even sages who renounced earthly desires could not escape the cosmic illusion of female power.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

“Appadi paarththaalum / Illae ippadi paarththaalum”

Rhyming of the second consonant sound 'ppa' in 'Appadi' and 'ippadi'.

Moonaai / Alliteration

“Pennai veruththavar / Pennai veruththathillai”

Repetition of initial 'P' sounds across words 'Pennai veruththavar' and 'Pennai veruththathillai'.

Anaphora / Repetition

“Appadi paarththaalum / Illae ippadi paarththaalum”

Repetition of the refrain 'Appadi paarththaalum / Illae ippadi paarththaalum' to emphasize the central theme.

Did you know?

Trivia

Kanniyin Sabatham (1958) featured music by T. G. Lingappa and lyrics by the legendary poet Kannadasan. The song references 'Alli paramparai', referring to the legendary queen Alli Raani of Tamil folklore known for her fierce female supremacy.

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