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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Azhuvadhaa Illai Sirippadhaa

From Pennin Perumai · 1956

Lyricist
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
Singers
P. Susheela, T. M. Soundararajan
Music directors
B. N. Rao, A. Rama Rao
Details
Pennin Perumai1956

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kadantha gnyaaniyum kadapparooWill even a transcendent sage cross the boundaries of self-control?
Kadantha gnyaaniyum kadapparoo ooo oo ooo oooWill even a transcendent sage cross the boundaries of self-control?
Ilangkanniyar kaadhalaalae…a.e….ae…ae…ae….Lured by the love of young maidens...
Male
Aaaa…aaa….aaa…Aaaa...aaa....aaa...
Piragu kashaayam thiru vottai marapparooWill they then forget their saffron robes and sacred begging bowls?
Pengal kangalin jaadaiyaalaeEnticed by the subtle glances of women's eyes?
Aaa aaa aaa aaa aaa aaAaa aaa aaa aaa aaa aa
Male
Azhuvadha illai siripadhaaShould I cry or should I laugh?
Azhuvadha illai siripadhaaShould I cry or should I laugh?
Indha adhisayamaana ulagathai paarthuLooking at this wondrous world,
Azhuvadha illai siripadhaaShould I cry or should I laugh?
Indha adhisayamaana ulagathai paarthuLooking at this wondrous world,
Azhuvadha illai siripadhaaShould I cry or should I laugh?
Female
Aaraaindhu paaraamalWithout investigating the truth,
Sandhaegamae konduHarboring mere suspicion,
Aaraaindhu paaraamalWithout investigating the truth,
Sandhaegamae konduHarboring mere suspicion,
Poraadum aadavarai neraagavae kanduSeeing men who fight and struggle endlessly,
AzhuvadhaShould I cry...
Poraadum aadavarai neraagavae kanduSeeing men who fight and struggle endlessly,
Azhuvadha illai siripadhaaShould I cry or should I laugh?
Both :Azhuvadha illai siripadhaaBoth: Should I cry or should I laugh?
Male
Kaamamae puyalendrumThat lust is a violent storm,
Kaadhalae thendral endrumAnd love is a gentle breeze,
Aaa….aaa….aaa….aaa…aaa…Aaa….aaa….aaa….aaa…aaa…
Kaamamae puyalendrumThat lust is a violent storm,
Kaadhalae thendral endrumAnd love is a gentle breeze,
Kandadhaal villuranga aa aa aaaHaving seen this, even the bow sleeps...
Aaa….aaa….aaa….aaa…aaa…Aaa….aaa….aaa….aaa…aaa…
Female
Azhuvadha aaa…aa…aaa…aaa…aa…Should I cry... aaa...aa...aaa...
Azhagodu paruvamum amaindhu vittaalIf youth is adorned with beauty,
Adhukkum orr madhipputhaanga …aaa…aaa…Give value and respect to that too... aaa...aaa...
Male :Aamaanga…aa…aa….Male: Yes indeed... aa...aa...
Un ammaalai polavae pazhuthuvittaal..aa…aa…aa..If one ripens into age like your mother...
Un ammaalai polavae pazhuthuvittaalIf one ripens into age like your mother,
Adhukkum orr madhipputhanga aa aa aa..aa…aa…Give value and respect to that as well... aa aa...
Haa….aaa….aaa….aa….Haa...aaa...aaa...aa...
Female
Aaraaindhu paaraamalWithout investigating the truth,
Sandhaegamae konduHarboring mere suspicion,
Poraadum aadavarai neraagavae kanduSeeing men who fight and struggle endlessly...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from 'Pennin Perumai' (1956) is a philosophical and satirical critique of human nature and societal absurdities. The singer muses whether to weep or laugh when observing the world's folly, where even renowned sages abandon their spiritual austerity and sacred vows at a single glance from a young woman.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Rhetorical Question

Azhuvadha illai siripadhaa

The refrain 'Azhuvadha illai siripadhaa' (Should I cry or laugh?) is a central rhetorical device questioning the paradoxical and foolish nature of human behavior.

Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)

Kaamamae puyalendrum Kaadhalae thendral endrum

Lust is metaphorically equated to a destructive storm ('puyal') while genuine love is compared to a pleasant breeze ('thendral').

Contrast (Erhinai)

Piragu kashaayam thiru vottai marapparoo / Pengal kangalin jaadaiyaalae

Contrasts the wisdom and detachment of ascetics ('kashaayam', 'thiru vodu') with the overpowering pull of worldly desire caused by women's glances.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Pennin Perumai' (1956) is a classic Tamil film featuring Gemini Ganesan, Savitri, and N. T. Rama Rao, adapted from the Telugu hit 'Charana Daasi'. Lyricist Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass was renowned for infusing social irony, folk idioms, and philosophical wisdom into contemporary film songs during the Golden Era of Tamil cinema.

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