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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Iravinil Aattam Pagalinil Thookkam

From Navarathri · 1964

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Navarathri1964

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Iravinil aattam…Dancing in the night...
Pagalinil thookkam…Sleeping in the day...
Idhu thaan engal ulagamThis alone is our world,
Engal ulagam…Our world...
Male
Iravinil aattam…Dancing in the night...
Pagalinil thookkam…Sleeping in the day...
Idhu thaan engal ulagamThis alone is our world,
Engal ulagam…Our world...
Male
Iravinil aattam…Dancing in the night...
Pagalinil thookkam…Sleeping in the day...
Idhu thaan engal ulagamThis alone is our world,
Engal ulagam…Our world...
Male
Pirappukkum munnaal irundhadhu ennaWhat existed before birth,
Unakkum theriyaadhuYou do not know.
Irandha pinnaalae nadappadhu ennaWhat happens after death,
Enakkum puriyaadhuI do not understand either.
Iruppadhu sila naal anubavippomaeLife lasts only a few days, so let us enjoy it;
Edhu thaan kuraindhu vidumWhat would we lose by doing so?
Edhu thaan kuraindhu vidum sh…What would we lose by doing so... shh...
Male
Iravinil aattam…Dancing in the night...
Pagalinil thookkam…Sleeping in the day...
Idhu thaan engal ulagamThis alone is our world,
Engal ulagam…Our world...
Male
Paavamendraal oru aanaiyum pennaiyumIf love and desire were sins, would God create
Iraivan padaippaanaaA man and a woman?
Payanam pogum paadhaiyil dhraatchaiAlong the path of life's journey,
Kodiyai valarppaanaaWould He grow grapevines?
Paavamendraal oru aanaiyum pennaiyumIf love and desire were sins, would God create
Iraivan padaippaanaaA man and a woman?
Payanam pogum paadhaiyil dhraatchaiAlong the path of life's journey,
Kodiyai valarppaanaaWould He grow grapevines?
Aanadhu aagattum ponadhu pogattumLet whatever happened happen, let what is gone be gone,
Arugae varalaamaa arugae varalaamaa… haa…aa…aa…May I come closer, may I come closer... haa...aa...aa...
Male
Iravinil aattam…Dancing in the night...
Pagalinil thookkam…Sleeping in the day...
Idhu thaan engal ulagamThis alone is our world,
Engal ulagam…Our world...
Male
Kavinjan paadiya kaaviyam padithaalWhen reading epics composed by poets,
Bodhai varavillaiyaaDoes intoxication not arise?
Kallinil vaditha silaigalai paarthaalWhen looking at statues carved in stone,
Mayakkam tharavillaiyaaDoes enchantment not overcome you?
Edhilae illai yaaridam illaiWhere is it not present? Who does not have it?
Yevar idhai marandhu vittaarWho has ever forgotten this?
Yevar idhai marandhu vittaar sh…Who has ever forgotten this... shh...
Male
Iravinil aattam…Dancing in the night...
Pagalinil thookkam…Sleeping in the day...
Idhu thaan engal ulagamThis alone is our world,
Engal ulagam…Our world...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic club/cabaret track from Navarathri (1964) presents a Epicurean philosophy of life, advocating for living fully in the present moment. The song questions traditional notions of sin and restraint, arguing that since no one knows what comes before birth or after death, humans should embrace worldly pleasures. Kannadasan uses philosophical metaphors to justify joy and romance, pointing out that God created love, poetry, and sculpture to intoxicate the human spirit.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Rhetorical Question (Vinaa Ani)

Paavamendraal oru aanaiyum pennaiyum Iraivan padaippaanaa

The lyrics use rhetorical questions like 'Would God create man and woman if it were a sin?' to persuasively argue that human desires are natural and divine.

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyming)

Iravinil aattam… / Pagalinil thookkam…

Rhyming of the second letter across lines (Iravinil / Pagalinil) creates rhythm and musical harmony.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Payanam pogum paadhaiyil dhraatchai Kodiyai valarppaanaa

Life's journey is compared to a pathway lined with grapevines, symbolizing natural temptation and enjoyment.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although listed as unknown in the prompt, the music for Navarathri was composed by K. V. Mahadevan, and this specific song was sung by L. R. Eswari, establishing her reputation as the premier playback singer for dance and cabaret numbers in Tamil cinema. The film famously featured Sivaji Ganesan playing nine distinct roles.

Keep listening

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