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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Irul Padhi Oli Padhi Female

From Devi – 1968 Film · 1968

Lyricist
Palladam Manickam
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
S. Dakshinamurthi
Details
Devi – 1968 Film1968

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Irul paadhi oli paadhi amaithaanHe created half darkness and half light,
Iraivan edhilumae sari paadhi koduthaanGod gave an equal half in everything.
Irul paadhi oli paadhi amaithaanHe created half darkness and half light,
Iraivan edhilumae sari paadhi koduthaanGod gave an equal half in everything.
Female
Penn paadhi aan paadhi padaithaanHe created half female and half male,
Ninaivil per paadhi avar nenjil maraithaanHe hid a major part of memories in their hearts.
Penn paadhi aan paadhi padaithaanHe created half female and half male,
Ninaivil per paadhi avar nenjil maraithaanHe hid a major part of memories in their hearts.
Kann paadhi vaai meedhi pesumHalf the eyes and the rest the mouth speak,
Uyar kaadhalai perum paadhi valarthaanHe nurtured noble love to a great extent.
Kaadhalai perum paadhi valarthaanHe nurtured love to a great extent.
Female
Irul paadhi oli paadhi amaithaanHe created half darkness and half light,
Iraivan edhilumae sari paadhi koduthaanGod gave an equal half in everything.
Female
Nanmaiyudan perum paadhi theemaiAlong with good, a major portion is evil,
Vaazhkai nadagathil muzhu paadhi poimaiIn the drama of life, a full half is illusion.
Nanmaiyudan perum paadhi theemaiAlong with good, a major portion is evil,
Vaazhkai nadagathil muzhu paadhi poimaiIn the drama of life, a full half is illusion.
Inbathai siru paadhi vaithuKeeping happiness as a small portion,
Inbathai siru paadhi vaithuKeeping happiness as a small portion,
Yeno thunbathai perum paadhi thandhaanFor some reason, He gave sorrow as the major portion.
Female
Irul paadhi oli paadhi amaithaanHe created half darkness and half light,
Iraivan edhilumae sari paadhi koduthaanGod gave an equal half in everything.
Female
Mudhal paadhi vaazhvukku ilamaiThe first half of life is youth,
Pin mudikkindra paadhikku mudhumaiThe concluding half is old age.
Idhil paadhi naalukku thookkamIn this, half the time goes to sleep,
Pin irukkindra paadhiyellaam yekkamAnd all the remaining half is filled with longing.
Female
Irul paadhi oli paadhi amaithaanHe created half darkness and half light,
Iraivan edhilumae sari paadhi koduthaanGod gave an equal half in everything.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic song reflects on the concept of duality in God's creation. The lyrics explore how life is a balance of contrasting elements—light and darkness, male and female, youth and age, joy and sorrow. The singer meditates on how human existence is divided between opposing forces, where moments of joy and truth are often shadowed by grief, sleep, and illusions.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Antithesis (Muran)

Irul paadhi oli paadhi amaithaan

Contrasting opposing terms in the same context to show duality, such as darkness/light, male/female, good/evil, joy/sorrow, and youth/age.

Anaphora / Repetition (Emoni)

Penn paadhi aan paadhi padaithaan

The word 'paadhi' (half) is repeated across almost every line to establish rhythm and emphasize the thematic divide of life.

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Vaazhkai nadagathil muzhu paadhi poimai

Describing life as a stage play ('Vaazhkai nadagam') where a significant part is illusion ('poimai').

Did you know?

Trivia

This philosophical song from the 1968 Tamil movie 'Devi' was composed by S. Dakshinamurthy and sung by the legendary P. Susheela. The lyrics were penned by Palladam Manickam, using the recurring term 'paadhi' (half) to deeply explore the existential dualities of human life.

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