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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ennada Polladha

From Thappu Thalangal · 1978

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Thappu Thalangal1978

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Enna da pollaadha vaazhkaiWhat a wretched life this is, man!
Ada ennada pollaadha vaazhkaiHey, what a wretched life this is!
Yaara nenachu namma pethalao ammaWho knows what mother was thinking when she gave birth to us!
Ada pogum idam onnu than vidungada sumaHey, the ultimate destination is one and the same, just leave it, folks!
Idhukku poi alattikalaamaShould one fuss so much over this?
Idhukku poi alatikalaamaShould one fuss so much over this?
Male
Ada ennada pollaadha vaazhkaiHey, what a wretched life this is!
Ada ennada pollaadha vaazhkaiHey, what a wretched life this is!
Male
Kaadaaru maadham appaSix months in the forest, man,
Naadaaru maadham appaSix months in the country, man,
Rajaakkal kadhai idhu than paThis is the story of even kings, my friend!
Namba nilai thevalai yappaOur state is better compared to that, man!
Mudinja aadura varaikkum aaduDance as long as you can dance,
Illai odura varaikkum oduOr run as long as you can run!
Idhukku poi alattikalaamaShould one fuss so much over this?
Chaa idhukku poi alattikalaamaPshaw, should one fuss so much over this?
Male
Ennada pollaadha vaazhkaiWhat a wretched life this is!
Ada ennada pollaadha vaazhkaiHey, what a wretched life this is!
Male
Padikka aasa vachen mudiyalaeI wished to study, but couldn't,
Haa haahaaHaa haahaa!
Uzhaichum paarthu putten vidiyalaeI worked hard too, but saw no light of day,
Pozhaika veru vazhi theriyalaeFound no other way to make a living,
Nadandhen naan nenacha vazhiyilaeSo I walked down the path I thought of.
Male
Idhukku kaaranam thaan yaaruWho is responsible for this?
Padaicha saamiya poi keluGo ask the God who created us!
Idhukku poi alattikalaama hahahahaShould one fuss so much over this? Hahaha!
Idhukku poi alattikalaamaShould one fuss so much over this?
Male
Ada ennada pollaadha vaazhkaiHey, what a wretched life this is!
Ada ennada pollaadha vaazhkai…heyyHey, what a wretched life this is... heyy!
Male
Naan seiyuren thappu thandaI commit wrongdoings/mistakes,
Vera vazhiyedhum undaIs there any other way out?
Oorukkullae yokyanai kandaIf you find an honest man in this town,
Odi poyi ennidam kondaRun and bring him to me!
Male
Kedacha kidaikira varaikkum paaruGrab whatever you can get while you can,
Pidicha thiruttu pattam nooruIf you get caught, you get branded as a thief a hundred times!
Idhukku poi alattikalaamaShould one fuss so much over this?
Idhukku poi alattikalaamaShould one fuss so much over this?
Male
Enna da pollaadha vaazhkaiWhat a wretched life this is!
Ada ennada pollaadha vaazhkaiHey, what a wretched life this is!
Yaara nenachu namma pethalao ammaWho knows what mother was thinking when she gave birth to us!
Ada pogum idam onnu than vidungada sumaHey, the ultimate destination is one and the same, just leave it, folks!
Idhukku poi alattikalaamaShould one fuss so much over this?
Idhukku poi alatikalaama…hoo..ooShould one fuss so much over this... hoo..oo!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from 'Thappu Thalangal' is a street-smart, cynical, yet philosophical reflection on the struggles of life and morality. The protagonist laments his poverty and hard luck, noting that despite trying to study and work honestly, circumstances forced him down the path of crime and wrongdoings. Rather than wallowing in guilt, he rationalizes his lifestyle by pointing out that even kings go through major ups and downs (spending six months in exile and six months ruling), and ultimately, everyone ends up in the same grave.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Kaadaaru maadham appa / Naadaaru maadham appa

The second consonant sound 'da' rhymes in both lines, creating a classic Tamil rhythmic flow.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Mudinja aadura varaikkum aadu / Illai odura varaikkum odu

The line endings 'aadu' and 'odu' rhyme, giving a catchy, repetitive cadence.

Rhetorical Question

Idhukku poi alattikalaama

The repeated phrase asks whether one should make a fuss over life's unpredictable nature, expecting a negative answer to underline a carefree philosophy.

Metaphor / Idiom

Kaadaaru maadham appa / Naadaaru maadham appa

A traditional Tamil idiom referencing how Pandavas spent time in exile ('kaadu') and in kingdom ('naadu'), symbolizing the inevitable cyclical highs and lows of human existence.

Did you know?

Trivia

Thappu Thalangal (1978) was directed by K. Balachander and starred Rajinikanth and Saritha in lead roles. The film's music was composed by M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics written by Kannadasan. The movie explores urban crime, prostitution, and redemption through gritty realism.

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