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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Azhutha Pulla

From Panja Bootham · 1979

Lyricist
Bunrutti Lakshmanan
Singer
Manorama
Music director
Sankar Ganesh
Details
Panja Bootham1979

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Azhudha pullai sirikkumaamThey say a crying child will smile
Kazhutha paala kudikkumaamIf it drinks donkey's milk
Sari sari sariOkay, okay, okay
Adhirstam vandhaal kazhutha koodaIf good luck arrives, even a donkey
Aagasathil parakkumaamWill fly in the sky, they say
Female
Driyadiritto driyadiritto driyadirittoDriyadiritto driyadiritto driyadiritto
Haa velli mookku kudhirakutti vellakattiAha, silver-nosed pony, sweet jaggery cube
Female
Aasaiyoda pondattiyaWith deep affection, his wife
Kazhudhayinnu konjuraanHe dotes upon, lovingly calling her his donkey
Aasaiyoda pondattiyaWith deep affection, his wife
Kazhudhayinnu konjuraanHe dotes upon, lovingly calling her his donkey
Aasai theendha paavi manushanOnce his lust fades, this sinful man
Ada chee poo kazhudha engiraanSays 'Get lost, you donkey!'
Female
Driyadiritto driyadiritto driyadirittoDriyadiritto driyadiritto driyadiritto
Haa velli mookku kudhirakutti vellakattiAha, silver-nosed pony, sweet jaggery cube
Female
Azhudha pullai sirikkumaamThey say a crying child will smile
Kazhutha paala kudikkumaamIf it drinks donkey's milk
Adhirstam vandhaal kazhutha koodaIf good luck arrives, even a donkey
Aagasathil parakkumaamWill fly in the sky, they say
Female
Kaariyam thaan aaganumnnuJust to get his work done
Kazhudha kaalai pidikkiraanHe falls at even a donkey's feet
Kaariyamthaan aaganumnnuJust to get his work done
Kazhudha kaalai pidikkiraanHe falls at even a donkey's feet
Kaariyangal aana inaneOnce his business is finished
Kaalaal etti odhaikkiraanHe kicks it away with his own foot
Female
Driyadiritto driyadiritto driyadirittoDriyadiritto driyadiritto driyadiritto
Haa velli mookku kudhirakutti vellakattiAha, silver-nosed pony, sweet jaggery cube
Female
Azhudha pullai sirikkumaamThey say a crying child will smile
Kazhutha paala kudikkumaamIf it drinks donkey's milk
Adhirstam vandhaal kazhutha koodaIf good luck arrives, even a donkey
Aagasathil parakkumaamWill fly in the sky, they say
Female
Kazhudhaiyenna thaenju ponaaIf a donkey gets worn down by work
Katterumbhu aagumaaDoes it shrink into a biting ant?
Kazhudhaiyenna thaenju ponaaIf a donkey gets worn down by work
Katterumbhu aagumaaDoes it shrink into a biting ant?
Kaalam ponaa maami ponaaAs time passes and the mother-in-law grows old
Kazhudha pola maarumaa…adaDoes she turn into a donkey? Oh my...
Female
Driyadiritto driyadiritto driyadirittoDriyadiritto driyadiritto driyadiritto
Haa velli mookku kudhirakutti vellakattiAha, silver-nosed pony, sweet jaggery cube
Female
Azhudha pullai sirikkumaamThey say a crying child will smile
Kazhutha paala kudikkumaamIf it drinks donkey's milk
Adhirstam vandhaal kazhutha koodaIf good luck arrives, even a donkey
Aagasathil parakkumaamWill fly in the sky, they say
Female
Driyadiritto driyadiritto driyadirittoDriyadiritto driyadiritto driyadiritto
Haa velli mookku kudhirakutti vellakattiAha, silver-nosed pony, sweet jaggery cube

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This humorous yet cynical track from 'Panja Bootham' uses Tamil proverbs and folk lore about donkeys to critique human hypocrisy and opportunism. The lyricist Panruti Lakshmanan weaves popular idioms—such as feeding donkey's milk to infants for health and falling at a donkey's feet to accomplish a selfish task—into a lively satirical narrative. Sung with energetic comic flair by veteran actress-singer Manorama, the song highlights how humans flatter others when in need but discard them callously once their personal motives are satisfied.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethukai (Second-letter rhyme)

Azhudha pullai sirikkumaam / Kazhutha paala kudikkumaam

Matching second consonants in Tamil poetic structure: 'Azhudha' and 'Kazhutha'.

Iyaibu (End rhyme)

Azhudha pullai sirikkumaam / Kazhutha paala kudikkumaam

Rhyming verbal endings ('sirikkumaam', 'kudikkumaam', 'parakkumaam') create a rhythmic, repetitive chant.

Metaphor & Idiomatic Satire

Kaariyam thaan aaganumnnu / Kazhudha kaalai pidikkiraan

The donkey is used as a metaphor for human desperation, opportunism, and changing attitudes based on selfish needs.

Onomatopoeia / Scatting

Driyadiritto driyadiritto driyadiritto

Rhythmic vocal nonsense syllables ('Driyadiritto') add a playful, theatrical element characteristic of Tamil folk and comedy tracks.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song references the Tamil folk belief that donkey milk (Kazhudhai paal) has medicinal qualities that cure respiratory issues and soothe crying babies. Manorama, known for her unmatched diction and comic timing, delivered many such folk-style monologue songs throughout her legendary career.

Keep listening

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