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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Illatha Pazhakkam

From Panchali · 1959

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
K. Jamunarani
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Panchali1959

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Ho o o ho o oHo o o ho o o
Haa..aa…aa…haa…aa..aa..Haa..aa…aa…haa…aa..aa..
Female
Illaadha pazhakkamAn unprecedented custom
Idhu illaadha pazhakkamThis is an unaccustomed practice
Inba tamil naatinilaeIn the sweet Tamil land
Engaladhu yettinilaeIn our history and literature
Inba tamil naatinilaeIn the sweet Tamil land
Engaladhu yettinilaeIn our history and literature
Illaadha pazhakkamAn unprecedented custom
Idhu illaadha pazhakkamThis is an unaccustomed practice
Female
Pallai katti aangal ellaamWhen men grin widely
Paarkkum bodhuas they watch
Pagattiyum kulukkiyumShowing off and swaying hips
Pengal aaduvadhumwomen dancing
Pallai katti aangal ellaamWhen men grin widely
Paarkkum bodhuas they watch
Pagattiyum kulukkiyumShowing off and swaying hips
Pengal aaduvadhumwomen dancing
Female
Kaasu panam theduvadhumSeeking money and riches
Kaadhal pattu paaduvadhumAnd singing love songs
Kaasu panam theduvadhumSeeking money and riches
Kaadhal pattu paaduvadhumAnd singing love songs
Ho o o ho o oHo o o ho o o
Haa..aa…aa…haa…aa..aa..Haa..aa…aa…haa…aa..aa..
Inba tamil naatinilaeIn the sweet Tamil land
Engaladhu yettinilaeIn our history and literature
Inba tamil naatinilaeIn the sweet Tamil land
Engaladhu yettinilaeIn our history and literature
Illaadha pazhakkamAn unprecedented custom
Idhu illaadha pazhakkamThis is an unaccustomed practice
Female
Maanamulla pengalWhen self-respecting women
Manam marukkum bodhurefuse in their hearts
Vambhugal seivadhumCreating trouble and harassing them
Vaazhvai keduppadhumAnd ruining their lives
Maanamulla pengalWhen self-respecting women
Manam marukkum bodhurefuse in their hearts
Vambhugal seivadhumCreating trouble and harassing them
Vaazhvai keduppadhumAnd ruining their lives
Female
Panpattai kolluvadhumDestroying culture and morality
Paadhaimaari selluvadhumAnd straying off the rightful path
Panpattai kolluvadhumDestroying culture and morality
Paadhaimaari selluvadhumAnd straying off the rightful path
Ho o o ho o oHo o o ho o o
Haa..aa…aa…haa…aa..aa..Haa..aa…aa…haa…aa..aa..
Inba tamil naatinilaeIn the sweet Tamil land
Engaladhu yettinilaeIn our history and literature
Inba tamil naatinilaeIn the sweet Tamil land
Engaladhu yettinilaeIn our history and literature
Illaadha pazhakkamAn unprecedented custom
Idhu illaadha pazhakkamThis is an unaccustomed practice

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Illaadha Pazhakkam from the 1959 film Panchali is a social commentary written by lyricist A. Maruthakasi and composed by K. V. Mahadevan. Sung energetically by K. Jamunarani, the song critiques the modern erosion of moral values and cultural integrity in contrast to the historical literature and noble traditions of the Tamil land. The lyricist highlights societal ills such as the objectification of women, greed for wealth, unwanted harassment of dignified women, and the abandonment of traditional ethics, urging society to preserve its cultural heritage.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Panpattai kolluvadhum / Paadhaimaari selluvadhum

Rhyming of the second character across lines such as 'Inba' and 'Engaladhu' or 'Panpattai' and 'Paadhaimaari'.

Anaphora

Inba tamil naatinilae / Engaladhu yettinilae

Repetition of refrain lines 'Inba tamil naatinilae / Engaladhu yettinilae' to emphasize Tamil heritage and moral standards.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Pagattiyum kulukkiyum / Pengal aaduvadhum

Matching initial sounds across adjacent words, such as 'Pagattiyum' and 'Pengal'.

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Trivia

Panchali (1959) featured memorable music by 'Thirai Isai Thilagam' K. V. Mahadevan. Lyricist A. Maruthakasi was renowned for weaving social consciousness, moral reflection, and ethical questions into popular film music of that era.

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