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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ellarum Paithiyamthan

From Poo Mazhai Pozhiyuthu · 1987

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
K. S. Chithra
Music director
R. D. Burman
Details
Poo Mazhai Pozhiyuthu1987

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Ellarum paithiyam thaanEveryone is mad indeed
Ennachu vaithiyam thaanWhat happened to the cure?
Ellarum paithiyam thaanEveryone is mad indeed
Ennachu vaithiyam thaanWhat happened to the cure?
Evanda padachaanWho on earth created this?
Ada avanukkum paithiyam thaanHey, even he is mad indeed!
Sirichaa sirippen azhudha azhuvenIf someone laughs I laugh, if someone cries I cry
Yaar ketppadhuWho is there to question me?
Sirichaa sirippen azhudha azhuvenIf someone laughs I laugh, if someone cries I cry
Yaar ketppadhuWho is there to question me?
Female
Ellarum paithiyam thaanEveryone is mad indeed
Ennachu vaithiyam thaanWhat happened to the cure?
Evanda padachaanWho on earth created this?
Ada avanukkum paithiyam thaanHey, even he is mad indeed!
Sirichaa sirippen azhudha azhuvenIf someone laughs I laugh, if someone cries I cry
Yaar ketppadhuWho is there to question me?
Sirichaa sirippen azhudha azhuvenIf someone laughs I laugh, if someone cries I cry
Yaar ketppadhuWho is there to question me?
Female
Oo oosikku kaadhirukkuOh, a needle has an ear
Aanalum ketkaadhuYet it cannot hear
Thengaaiku kann irukkuA coconut has eyes
Aanalum paakathuYet it cannot see
Hahahah oohooHahahah oohoo
Female
Seepukku palirukkuA comb has teeth
Aanalum kadikathuYet it cannot bite
Silaperukku idhu ellaamSome people will not like it
Naan sonna pudikathuIf I speak all of this
Female
Ulagae maayamThe world is an illusion
Vaazhvae maayamLife is an illusion
Naan paarkkirenThis is how I view it
Idhai thaan nenachenThis is what I thought
Female
Enakka kirukku idhathaan vilakkuAm I crazy? Explain this then
Naan ketkkirenI am asking
Enakka kirukku idhathaan vilakkuAm I crazy? Explain this then
Naan ketkkirenI am asking
Female
Ellarum paithiyam thaanEveryone is mad indeed
Ennachu vaithiyam thaanWhat happened to the cure?
Evanda padachaanWho on earth created this?
Ada avanukkum paithiyam thaanHey, even he is mad indeed!
Sirichaa sirippen azhudha azhuvenIf someone laughs I laugh, if someone cries I cry
Yaar ketppadhuWho is there to question me?
Sirichaa sirippen azhudha azhuvenIf someone laughs I laugh, if someone cries I cry
Yaar ketppadhuWho is there to question me?
Female
Arivil thaan kolaruA flaw in intellect
Illadha aal yaaruWho is the person who does not have it?
Therinja nee padhil kooruIf you know, tell me the answer
Theriyatti veliyeruIf you do not know, step aside
Hey hey hey eyyyyHey hey hey eyyyy
Female
Pathinettu sitharuthaanThe eighteen Siddhas
Idhaiyellam sonnaruSpoke about all of this
Adhanaal thaan nammoduThat is why with us
Ottaamal ninaaruThey stood detached without mingling
Female
Adhupol odunghi thaniya padhungiJust like that, shrinking and hiding away in solitude
Naan vaazhgirenI live my life
Sarithaan poiyaaIs it true or false?
Indha ulagatha purinjikittenI have understood this world
Female
Edhuvo raagam edhuvo thaalamWhatever tune, whatever rhythm
Naan padurenI sing along
Sarisa sarisa padha pa padha paSa-ri-sa sa-ri-sa pa-dha pa pa-dha pa
Sari gama paSa-ri ga-ma pa
Female
Lallaala lalalalalaLallaala lalalalala
Lallaala lalalalalaLallaala lalalalala
Lalala laa lalala laa la ooo oooLalala laa lalala laa la ooo ooo
Sirichaa sirippen azhudha azhuvenIf someone laughs I laugh, if someone cries I cry
Yaar ketppadhuWho is there to question me?
Ahahahaha ahahahahaAhahahaha ahahahaha
Hehehehehe ooo hoo oooHehehehehe ooo hoo ooo

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Ellarum Paithiyam Thaan' takes a satirical, philosophical, and playful approach toward human nature and society. Through eccentric observations, the singer asserts that everyone in the world possesses a degree of madness, including the Creator Himself. Using clever riddles and wordplay—such as a needle having an ear that cannot hear, a coconut having eyes that cannot see, and a comb having teeth that cannot bite—the lyrics reveal the illusions and absurdities of human life.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Wordplay / Pun (Sledhai)

Oo oosikku kaadhirukku / Aanalum ketkaadhu

In Tamil, 'kaadhu' means both the eye of a needle and an ear. The lyricist cleverly plays on double meanings like 'kaadhu' (ear/eye of needle), 'kann' (eyes of coconut), and 'pal' (teeth of comb).

Rhyme / Monnai (Initial Rhyming)

Arivil thaan kolaru / Illadha aal yaaru

The words 'Arivil', 'Illadha', 'Therinja', 'Theriyatti' present strong rhythmic and structural matching across consecutive lines.

Antithesis / Contrast

Sirichaa sirippen azhudha azhuven

Contrasting actions like laughing ('sirichaa') and crying ('azhudha') highlight the singer's reactive, non-attached view of the world.

Philosophical Allusion

Pathinettu sitharuthaan / Idhaiyellam sonnaru

References the 18 Siddhas (Sithar) of Tamil philosophy who renounced worldly ties because they realized society's grand illusion ('maayam').

Did you know?

Trivia

This rare Tamil song was composed by legendary Bollywood music director R. D. Burman for the 1987 movie 'Poo Mazhai Pozhiyuthu'. Singer K. S. Chithra delivered a versatile performance capturing eccentric laughter and melodic modulations, backed by Vaali's sharp philosophical humor.

Keep listening

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