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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Chadugudu Chadugudu

From Pagalil Pournami · 1990

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Mano, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Pagalil Pournami1990

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Chadugudu chaduguduChadugudu chadugudu
Chadugudu chaduguduChadugudu chadugudu
Kabadi kabadi kabadiKabadi kabadi kabadi
Kabadi chaduguduKabadi chadugudu
Chadugudu chaduguduChadugudu chadugudu
Chadugudu chaduguduChadugudu chadugudu
Kabadi kabadi kabadiKabadi kabadi kabadi
Kabadi chaduguduKabadi chadugudu
Female
Chadugudu chaduguduChadugudu chadugudu
Chadugudu chaduguduChadugudu chadugudu
Kabadi kabadi kabadiKabadi kabadi kabadi
Kabadi chaduguduKabadi chadugudu
Chadugudu chaduguduChadugudu chadugudu
Chadugudu chaduguduChadugudu chadugudu
Kabadi kabadi kabadiKabadi kabadi kabadi
Kabadi chaduguduKabadi chadugudu
Male
Or nooraandu kaalangalEven if a hundred years pass by,
Aanaalum ponaalum kaadhal ennamWhether time comes or goes, the thought of love endures.
Male Chorus :Chadugudu chaduguduMale Chorus: Chadugudu chadugudu
Chadugudu chadugudu chaduguduChadugudu chadugudu chadugudu
Female
Nam nenjodu kannodumWithin our hearts and eyes,
Neengaamal thoongaamal vaazhum ennamThe feeling lives on, never leaving or sleeping.
Female Chorus :Chadugudu chaduguduFemale Chorus: Chadugudu chadugudu
Chadugudu chadugudu chaduguduChadugudu chadugudu chadugudu
Male
Thodu thodu thoduvadhil thappaedhuWhat fault is there in touching playfully?
Male Chorus :Chadugudu chaduguduMale Chorus: Chadugudu chadugudu
Chadugudu chaduguduChadugudu chadugudu
Male
Thodara ninaippadhu thappaadhuIt is never wrong to desire to pursue.
Male Chorus :Chadugudu chaduguduMale Chorus: Chadugudu chadugudu
Chadugudu chaduguduChadugudu chadugudu
Female
Kodu kodu koduppadhilIn giving and sharing,
Pizhai yedhuWhat error could there be?
Kodukka ninaippadhu kuraiyaadhuThe intent to give will never diminish.
Male
Thottaalum pattaalum kedumoWill it spoil if touched or felt?
Thaenaarum paalaarum thazhuvudhuRivers of honey and milk embrace each other.
Female
Ae maambookkal mainaakkalOh mango blossoms and myna birds,
Sandhosham sangeetham paadum neramIt is a time when joy sings its song.
Female Chorus :Chadugudu chaduguduFemale Chorus: Chadugudu chadugudu
Chadugudu chadugudu chaduguduChadugudu chadugudu chadugudu
Male
Ven aagaaya megangalThe white clouds in the open sky,
Kaatrodu kai korthu aadum neramDance holding hands with the wind.
Male Chorus :Chadugudu chaduguduMale Chorus: Chadugudu chadugudu
Chadugudu chadugudu chaduguduChadugudu chadugudu chadugudu
Female
Chadugudu aadura poongaatruThe gentle breeze playing chadugudu,
Female Chorus :Chadugudu chaduguduFemale Chorus: Chadugudu chadugudu
Chadugudu chaduguduChadugudu chadugudu
Female
Sarasam nadathudhu poovoduFlirts playfully with the flowers.
Female Chorus :Chadugudu chaduguduFemale Chorus: Chadugudu chadugudu
Chadugudu chaduguduChadugudu chadugudu
Male
Kulu kulu odaiyil neeroduAlong with the water in the cool stream,
Kudumbam nadathudhu semmeenuThe red fish makes a family and thrives.
Female
Aanandham aarambam idhuvoIs this the true beginning of bliss?
Angangae sorgangal theriyudhuHeavenly bliss appears everywhere.
Chorus
Thaalam enna chaakkun chachaaWhat rhythm is this? Chaakkun chachaa,
Thaalamammaa chaakku chaanThis rhythm is chaakku chaan.
Raagam enna chaakkun chachaaWhat melody is this? Chaakkun chachaa,
Raagamamma chaakku chaanThis melody is chaakku chaan.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful track uses the energetic rhythmic chants of the traditional Indian game Kabadi (Chadugudu) as an allegorical motif for youthful romance and nature's lively rhythm. The lyrics celebrate timeless love, describing how the desire for love remains undiminished through centuries and resides in the heart and eyes.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Refrain / Onomatopoeia

Chadugudu chadugudu

The continuous chant 'Chadugudu chadugudu' mimics the breath-holding chant required during the traditional game of Kabadi, setting a playful rhythmic tone.

Alliteration (Monaai)

Thodu thodu thoduvadhil thappaedhu

Repetition of the initial 'Th' consonant across 'Thodu thodu thoduvadhil thappaedhu' creates a musical rhythm.

Personification

Kaatrodu kai korthu aadum neram

Nature is personified; clouds are described as holding hands with the wind to dance, and breezes play games with flowers.

Imagery

Thaenaarum paalaarum thazhuvudhu

'Thaenaarum paalaarum thazhuvudhu' uses sensory rich imagery of streams of honey and milk to depict extreme sweet luxury and joy.

Did you know?

Trivia

The movie 'Pagalil Pournami' (1990) features music composed by Deva (with lyrics by Vaali). The playful 'Chadugudu' chant in romantic duets became a iconic musical device in Tamil cinema, later famously adapted by A.R. Rahman in 'Chinna Chinna Aasai' and 'Pachai Nirame'.

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