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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Irul Padhi Oli Padhi Male

From Devi – 1968 Film · 1968

Lyricist
Palladam Manickam
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
S. Dakshinamurthi
Movie name
Devi – 1968 Film
Movie release year
1968
Lyrics added on
22 Jun 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Irul paadhi oli paadhi amaithaan
Iraivan edhilumae sari paadhi koduthaan
Irul paadhi oli paadhi amaithaan
Iraivan edhilumae sari paadhi koduthaan
Penn paadhi aan paadhi padaithaan
Ninaivil per paadhi avar nenjil maraithaan
Penn paadhi aan paadhi padaithaan
Ninaivil per paadhi avar nenjil maraithaan
Kann paadhi vaai meedhi pesum
Uyar kaadhalai perum paadhi valarthaan
Kaadhalai perum paadhi valarthaan
Irul paadhi oli paadhi amaithaan
Iraivan edhilumae sari paadhi koduthaan
Nanmaiyudan perum paadhi theemai
Vaazhkai nadagathil muzhu paadhi poimai
Nanmaiyudan perum paadhi theemai
Vaazhkai nadagathil muzhu paadhi poimai
Inbathai siru paadhi vaithu
Inbathai siru paadhi vaithu
Yeno thunbathai perum paadhi thandhaan
Irul paadhi oli paadhi amaithaan
Iraivan edhilumae sari paadhi koduthaan
Mudhal paadhi vaazhvukku ilamai
Pin mudikkindra paadhikku mudhumai
Idhil paadhi naalukku thookkam
Pin irukkindra paadhiyellaam yekkam
Irul paadhi oli paadhi amaithaan
Iraivan edhilumae sari paadhi koduthaan
Irul paadhi oli paadhi amaithaan
Iraivan…. edhilumae sari paadhi koduthaan
He made half darkness and half light
God gave an equal half to everything
He made half darkness and half light
God gave an equal half to everything
He created half woman and half man
And hid a large part of their thoughts inside their hearts
He created half woman and half man
And hid a large part of their thoughts inside their hearts
The eyes speak half, and the lips speak the rest
He nurtured noble love for the most part
He nurtured love for the most part
He made half darkness and half light
God gave an equal half to everything
Along with the good, a greater half is evil
In this drama of life, a full half is falsehood
Along with the good, a greater half is evil
In this drama of life, a full half is falsehood
Keeping joy as only a small share
Keeping joy as only a small share
Why did He give sorrow as the larger share?
He made half darkness and half light
God gave an equal half to everything
Youth for the first half of life
And old age for the closing half
In this, sleep takes half of every day
And the remaining half is filled with longing
He made half darkness and half light
God gave an equal half to everything
He made half darkness and half light
God... gave an equal half to everything
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This philosophical song reflects on the inherent duality of nature and human existence. It highlights how God created life with equal balances—day and night, man and woman, joy and sorrow, youth and old age. The lyrics suggest that human life is a delicate mixture of truth and illusion, where happiness is fleeting and sorrow often looms larger. Through contrasting imagery, the lyricist observes how time is divided between rest and yearning. The song serves as a profound contemplation on fate, divine design, and the inevitable polarities that every individual must experience throughout the journey of life.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Antithesis / Ethir-nodukku

“Irul paadhi oli paadhi amaithaan”

Contrasting opposing concepts like light and dark, male and female, youth and old age to emphasize duality.

Anaphora / Repetition

“Penn paadhi aan paadhi padaithaan”

Repeated use of the word 'paadhi' (half) throughout the lines to reinforce the motif of division and balance.

Monai (Initial Rhyme/Alliteration)

“Irul paadhi oli paadhi amaithaan / Iraivan edhilumae sari paadhi koduthaan”

The initial letter 'I' is repeated in consecutive line openings ('Irul' and 'Iraivan').

Metaphor / Uruvagam

“Vaazhkai nadagathil muzhu paadhi poimai”

Comparing life to a stage play ('Vaazhkai nadagam') where half of it consists of illusion or falsehood.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song 'Irul Paadhi Oli Paadhi' from the 1968 film 'Devi' is a celebrated Tamil philosophical classic. Rendered by T.M. Soundararajan with music composed by S. Dakshinamurthy, lyricist Palladam Manickam crafted lyrics deeply reflective of Kannadasan-esque philosophical themes regarding human nature and destiny.

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