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Lyrics & meaning

Appadi Paartthaalum

From Kanniyin Sabatham · 1958

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
A. P. Komala
Music director
T. G. Lingappa
Details
Kanniyin Sabatham1958

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Appadi paarththaalumWhether viewed this way
Illae ippadi paarththaalum pengalOr viewed that way, men
Sorpadi aadavar aaduvathallaalDance to the words of women
Appuram ippuram thappuvathillaiAnd cannot escape either way
Female
Appadi paarththaalumWhether viewed this way
Illae ippadi paarththaalum pengalOr viewed that way, men
Sorpadi aadavar aaduvathallaalDance to the words of women
Appuram ippuram thappuvathillaiAnd cannot escape either way
Female
Appadi paarththaalumWhether viewed this way
Illae ippadi paarththaalumOr viewed that way
Female
Kaippidi naayagan kadhalukkaagaFor the love of her wedded hero
Kannagi kaaththirunthaalKannagi waited
Kaippidi naayagan kadhalukkaagaFor the love of her wedded hero
Kannagi kaaththirunthaalKannagi waited
Aval kadhalai thalliya kovalan maarbilUpon the chest of Kovalan who cast aside her love
Maadhavi saainthirunthaalMadhavi leaned
Aval kadhalai thalliya kovalan maarbilUpon the chest of Kovalan who cast aside her love
Maadhavi saainthirunthaalMadhavi leaned
Female
Appozhuthum angu aandathuEven then, ruling over that realm
Engal alli paramparaithaanWas our proud lineage of Alli
Idhu aayirankaalam ponathendraalimThough thousands of years pass by
Azhivillaathu uruthiyaagumThis truth remains indestructible and resolute
Female
Appadi paarththaalumWhether viewed this way
Illae ippadi paarththaalumOr viewed that way
Female
Mannai veruththavarThose who renounced the earth
Pennai veruththavarAnd those who renounced women
Pennai veruththathillaiNever truly renounced womanhood
Mannai veruththavarThose who renounced the earth
Pennai veruththavarAnd those who renounced women
Pennai veruththathillaiNever truly renounced womanhood
Pengal maayamendrodiya nyaanigalumEven sages who ran away claiming women are illusion
Antha maayaikku thappavillaiDid not escape that very illusion
Female
Ellai illaatha devargalumEven the boundless celestial gods
Ilam deviyar kaikalilaeAre in the hands of young goddesses
Ellai illaatha devargalumEven the boundless celestial gods
Ilam deviyar kaikalilaeAre in the hands of young goddesses
Indraikkum endraikkum irupathaagaExisting today and forever
Yaedugal solvathai naadariyumThe whole country knows what ancient texts declare
Female
Appadi paarththaalumWhether viewed this way
Illae ippadi paarththaalumOr viewed that way
Female
Vaanamum bhoomiyum vanthu vanangumThe heavens and the earth come to bow
Mangaiyar kaalgalilaeAt the feet of women
Aanavaraikkum ottrumai kandaalIf unity is found as much as possible
Anantham vaazhvinilaeThere is eternal bliss in life
Nenjil aasai mevum velai thorumWhenever desire fills the heart
Paasam koorum jaadai kaattida…To show hints that express affection...
Female
Appadi paarththaalumWhether viewed this way
Illae ippadi paarththaalumOr viewed that way
Sorpadi aadavar aaduvathallaalMen dance to the words of women
Appuram ippuram thappuvathillaiAnd cannot escape either way
Female
Appadi paarththaalumWhether viewed this way
Illae ippadi paarththaalumOr viewed that way

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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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