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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

I Will Sell My Beauty

From Cinema Paithiyam · 1975

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
L. R. Eswari
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Cinema Paithiyam
Movie release year
1975
Lyrics added on
31 May 2023

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
I will sell my beauty
My service is my duty
I will sell my beauty
My service is my duty
Anthi neraththu santhai
Azhagu vazhangum mangai
Anthi neraththu santhai
Azhagu vazhangum mangai
Santhikkindravar virumbum varaikkum
Santhoshamthaan ingae
Santhikkindravar virumbum varaikkum
Santhoshamthaan ingae
I will sell my beauty
My service is my duty
Yaengum irulil vilakkai anaiththaal
Ellorum orae maathiri
Aahahaa maathiri aahahaa maathiri
Yaengum irulil vilakkai anaiththaal
Ellorum orae maathiri
Inbam enbathu viyaabaaramthaan
Endraalum naan kadhali
Kaasu koduththaal
Naan aasai koduppaen
Kaasu koduththaal
Naan aasai koduppaen
Kadanum illai kanakkum illai
Kattum varithaan yaedhadi
I will sell my beauty
My service is my duty
Anthi neraththu santhai
Azhagu vazhangum mangai
Santhikkindravar virumbum varaikkum
Santhoshamthaan ingae
I will sell my beauty
My service is my duty
Virukkum porulai meendum virppom
Virpanai variyum illai
Laalaalalaalaalllaaa joojoojoo
Virukkum porulai meendum virppom
Virpanai variyum illai
Vidiyum varaikkum kadai vaiththaalum
Mooda solpavar illai
Aadhiyum ingae palar anthamum ingae
Aadhiyum ingae palar anthamum ingae
Aanavarai maanidaarellaam
Nyaanam peruvathum ingae
I will sell my beauty
My service is my duty
I will sell my beauty,
my service is my duty.
I will sell my beauty,
my service is my duty.
An evening marketplace,
a woman offering her beauty.
An evening marketplace,
a woman offering her beauty.
For as long as those who visit desire,
there is only pleasure here!
For as long as those who visit desire,
there is only pleasure here!
I will sell my beauty,
my service is my duty.
When the lamp is put out in the longing dark,
everyone is just the same.
Ah ha ha, the same! Ah ha ha, the same!
When the lamp is put out in the longing dark,
everyone is just the same.
Pleasure may be a business,
yet I am still a lover.
If you give money,
I will give you passion.
If you give money,
I will give you passion.
There is no credit and no ledger to keep,
and what tax is there to pay, my friend?
I will sell my beauty,
my service is my duty.
An evening marketplace,
a woman offering her beauty.
For as long as those who visit desire,
there is only pleasure here!
I will sell my beauty,
my service is my duty.
We can sell the same goods again and again,
and there is no sales tax either!
La la la la la la... joo joo joo...
We can sell the same goods again and again,
and there is no sales tax either!
Even if I keep the shop open until dawn,
there is no one asking me to close.
Many find their start here, and many meet their end here,
many find their start here, and many meet their end here;
as much as they can, all people
gain life's wisdom right here!
I will sell my beauty,
my service is my duty.
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song from Cinema Paithiyam (1975) is a bold, philosophical club number delivered from the perspective of a courtesan/entertainer. Lyricist Kannadasan blends English and Tamil to craft a pragmatic yet deep commentary on physical desires, societal hypocrisy, and commerce. The singer presents her profession as an honest service—selling pleasure without tax, debt, or false promises—noting that in the dark, all men share the same basic human desires regardless of their social standing.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

“Anthi neraththu santhai”

Compares the nighttime domain of pleasure and beauty to an evening market ('Anthi neraththu santhai').

Ezhuthu/Yugmam (Code-switching / English-Tamil blending)

“I will sell my beauty / My service is my duty”

Incorporates English rhyming couplets seamlessly into Tamil poetry to reflect modern, urban club culture.

Paradox / Philosophical Irony

“Aanavarai maanidaarellaam Nyaanam peruvathum ingae”

Highlights the paradox that men attain ultimate wisdom and realize the fleeting nature of worldly desires in a place of pleasure.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

“Kaasu koduththaal ... Kadanum illai”

Repetition of initial consonants 'K' for rhythmic emphasis ('Kaasu', 'Kadanum', 'Kattum').

Did you know?

Trivia

Cinema Paithiyam (1975) is the Tamil remake of the 1971 Hindi hit Guddi. Music director M. S. Viswanathan utilized L. R. Eswari's distinct voice, famous for bold and sensual club tracks in South Indian cinema, to deliver Kannadasan's satirical and sharp-witted lyricism.

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