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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ellorum Kuzhandhaigal

From Avalum Penthane · 1974

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
L. R. Eswari
Music director
V. Kumar
Details
Avalum Penthane1974

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Ellorum kuzhanthaigal madhuvilEveryone is a child when under the influence of wine,
Indru ellorum kurudargal iravilToday, everyone is blind under the cover of night.
Ellorum kuzhanthaigal madhuvilEveryone is a child when under the influence of wine,
Indru ellorum kurudargal iravilToday, everyone is blind under the cover of night.
Female
Ellorum adimaigal enakkuEveryone is a slave to me,
Ennodu yaeraalam irukkuI possess plenty with me.
Angangal thangangal angangae thangungalGolden limbs, linger right where you are,
Ondralla irandalla innum unduIt is not just one or two, there is much more.
Female
Ellorum kuzhanthaigal madhuvilEveryone is a child when under the influence of wine,
Ellorum kurudargal iravilEveryone is blind under the cover of night.
Female
Enakkum oottrikkoduPour a drink for me as well,
Mayakkam undaagattumLet intoxication take over.
Irandu kayil eduHold it with both hands,
Manakkum sendaagattumLet it turn into a fragrant garland.
Female
Enakkum oottrikkoduPour a drink for me as well,
Mayakkam undaagattumLet intoxication take over.
Irandu kayil eduHold it with both hands,
Manakkum sendaagattumLet it turn into a fragrant garland.
Female
Aadal modhum udal aasai pongum kadalA body moving in dance, a rising sea of desire,
Jaadai koorum vizhi sorkkam kaattum vazhiEyes whispering hints, showing the path to paradise.
Meththai vanthaal viththai ellaamOnce on the bed, all the arts,
Solvaen naanthaanI myself shall demonstrate.
Female
Ellorum kuzhanthaigal madhuvilEveryone is a child when under the influence of wine,
Ellorum kurudargal iravil…..aa….Everyone is blind under the cover of night... aa...
Female
Ulagam pollaathathu iruttil vilaiyaaduthuThe cruel world plays its games in the dark,
Idhayam illaathathu ennai vilai kooruthuHeartless as it is, it sets a price on me.
Ulagam pollaathathu iruttil vilaiyaaduthuThe cruel world plays its games in the dark,
Idhayam illaathathu ennai vilai kooruthuHeartless as it is, it sets a price on me.
Female
Maanam irunthavarai vaazhvai paarththathillaiThose who clung to honor never got to truly live,
Naalum thuranthavarai yaarum veruppathillaiNo one despises those who have given up everything day by day.
Achcham vetkkam michchamindri vittaen vaa vaaI have shed fear and shame completely, come, come!
Female
Ellorum kuzhanthaigal madhuvilEveryone is a child when under the influence of wine,
Ellorum kurudargal iravilEveryone is blind under the cover of night.
Ellorum kuzhanthaigal madhuvilEveryone is a child when under the influence of wine,
Indru ellorum kurudargal iravilToday, everyone is blind under the cover of night.
Female
Ellorum kuzhanthaigal madhuvilEveryone is a child when under the influence of wine,
Ellorum kurudargal iravilEveryone is blind under the cover of night.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic song sung by L. R. Eswari portrays a seductive yet deeply cynical cabaret performance that critiques society's hypocrisy. The protagonist observes that under the influence of alcohol and the cover of darkness, men abandon their moral pretenses, behaving like helpless children or turning blind to their own sins. Beneath the lure of dance and glamour lies a sharp social commentary about how society objectifies women and commodifies human relationships. Through lyricist Vaali's sharp verses, the song reveals the woman's tragic acceptance of her fate. She acknowledges that holding onto traditional notions of honor yielded no practical life for her, leading her to shed fear and shame in order to survive in a heartless world. Set to V. Kumar's sultry musical composition, the track stands as a memorable blend of alluring rhythm and philosophical satire.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhukai (Second letter rhyme)

Meththai vanthaal viththai ellaam

Matching second consonants in adjacent or pair lines, such as 'Meththai' and 'viththai'.

Moonaiz / Alliteration

Angangal thangangal angangae thangungal

Repetition of initial consonant/vowel sounds within the line 'Angangal' and 'angangae'.

Metaphor & Social Satire

Ellorum kuzhanthaigal madhuvil / Indru ellorum kurudargal iravil

Comparing men under the spell of alcohol to innocent children, and darkness as a mask that turns society 'blind' to its own vices.

Antithesis / Contrast

Maanam irunthavarai vaazhvai paarththathillai

Contrasting public honor (Maanam) with actual survival and emotional renunciation (thuranthavarai).

Did you know?

Trivia

Seductively rendered by L. R. Eswari, renowned for her iconic club and cabaret songs in South Indian cinema, 'Ellorum kuzhanthaigal madhuvil' from 'Avalum Penthane' (1974) remains one of lyricist Vaali's most celebrated dance-song texts for its combination of glamour and philosophical depth.

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