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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
Details
Devi – 1968 Film1968

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
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
Male
Penn paadhi aan paadhi padaithaanHe created half woman and half man
Ninaivil per paadhi avar nenjil maraithaanMost of their memories he hid within their hearts
Penn paadhi aan paadhi padaithaanHe created half woman and half man
Ninaivil per paadhi avar nenjil maraithaanMost of their memories he hid within their hearts
Kann paadhi vaai meedhi pesumWhere eyes speak half and the mouth speaks the rest
Uyar kaadhalai perum paadhi valarthaanHe nurtured noble love for the greater part
Kaadhalai perum paadhi valarthaanHe nurtured love for the greater part
Male
Irul paadhi oli paadhi amaithaanHe created half darkness and half light
Iraivan edhilumae sari paadhi koduthaanGod gave an equal half in everything
Male
Nanmaiyudan perum paadhi theemaiAlong with goodness, a major portion is evil
Vaazhkai nadagathil muzhu paadhi poimaiIn the drama of life, a full half is falsehood
Nanmaiyudan perum paadhi theemaiAlong with goodness, a major portion is evil
Vaazhkai nadagathil muzhu paadhi poimaiIn the drama of life, a full half is falsehood
Inbathai siru paadhi vaithuKeeping joy in a small portion
Inbathai siru paadhi vaithuKeeping joy in a small portion
Yeno thunbathai perum paadhi thandhaanFor some reason, he gave sorrow in a large portion
Male
Irul paadhi oli paadhi amaithaanHe created half darkness and half light
Iraivan edhilumae sari paadhi koduthaanGod gave an equal half in everything
Male
Mudhal paadhi vaazhvukku ilamaiYouth for the first half of life
Pin mudikkindra paadhikku mudhumaiOld age for the remaining half that ends it
Idhil paadhi naalukku thookkamIn this, half the time goes to sleep
Pin irukkindra paadhiyellaam yekkamAnd all the remaining half goes to longing
Male
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

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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.

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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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