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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Iruntha Podu Illatti Paaru

From Doctor Amma · 1974

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
L. R. Eswari
Music director
Sankar Ganesh
Details
Doctor Amma1974

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Irundha podu illaatti paaruIf you have it, give it; if not, just watch
Irundha podu illaatti paaruIf you have it, give it; if not, just watch
Ellorkkum iruppadhuthaanWhat everyone possesses,
Enakkum irukkuI possess too.
Ellorkkum iruppadhuthaanWhat everyone possesses,
Enakkum irukkuI possess too.
Indha pollaadha vayathukku thaanFor the sake of this wretched hunger/stomach,
Indha pozhappuThis livelihood exists.
Indha pollaadha vayathukku thaanFor the sake of this wretched hunger/stomach,
Indha pozhappuThis livelihood exists.
Irundha podu illaatti paaruIf you have it, give it; if not, just watch
Irundha podu illaatti paaruIf you have it, give it; if not, just watch
Female
{Naalu dhinusu manushanaiyum{I am one who has observed four different types of people,
Paarthavathaan naanI am the one who saw them,
Mull naduvinilae rojaa polaeLike a rose blooming amidst thorns,
Poothava thaan naan} (2)I am one who bloomed}
Female
Thanni melae ennaiyai polLike oil floating on top of water,
Midhandhava thaan naanI am one who floated,
Thanni melae ennaiyai polLike oil floating on top of water,
Midhandhava thaan naanI am one who floated,
Than maanathil maanai polaLike a wild deer preserving its dignity,
Poranthava thaan naanI am one who was born.
Appappaa romba thappappaa konjamOh my, it is very wrong, step back a bit,
Thallappaa thalli nillaappaaStep back and stand at a distance!
Appappaa romba thappappaa konjamOh my, it is very wrong, step back a bit,
Thallappaa thalli nillaappaaStep back and stand at a distance!
Female
Irundha podu illaatti paaruIf you have it, give it; if not, just watch
Irundha podu illaatti paaruIf you have it, give it; if not, just watch
Female
{Kuppai kottum thottiyilae{In a bin where garbage is dumped,
Pillai kedakkuA child lies abandoned;
Idhu pethavanga pottu vechaThis is a faulty calculation,
Thappu kanakku} (2)Made by the parents who gave birth}
Female
Naatham adichaa koovathaiyaeWhen it stank, even the Cooum river,
Maathi vachaangaThey cleaned and transformed;
Naatham adichaa koovathaiyaeWhen it stank, even the Cooum river,
Maathi vachaangaThey cleaned and transformed;
Vaai naatham pudicha manushanai yaarBut a person cursed with a foul mouth,
Maathi vaippaangaWho can ever transform them?
Ennaiyaa ada chinnaiyaaHey mister, oh young sir,
Buthi vallaiyaa badhil sollaiyaaIsn't your mind sharp? Won't you answer?
Ennaiyaa ada chinnaiyaaHey mister, oh young sir,
Buthi vallaiyaa badhil sollaiyaaIsn't your mind sharp? Won't you answer?
Female
Irundha podu illaatti paaruIf you have it, give it; if not, just watch
Irundha podu illaatti paaruIf you have it, give it; if not, just watch
Female
{Kappal pola caaril yaeri{Riding in a car grand as a ship,
Amma vandhaangaThe lady arrived;
Kaiyil oru kaasu illamaWithout a single coin in her hand,
Summa vandhaanga} (2)She simply came empty-handed}
Female
Kettu kodukka manasu illaattiIf you don't have the heart to give when asked,
Naana eduppenI will take it myself;
Kettu kodukka manasu illaattiIf you don't have the heart to give when asked,
Naana eduppenI will take it myself;
Pathu kaasu mattum eduthukittuI will take only ten coins,
Thiruppi koduppenAnd return the rest.
Ammammaa unga ullam thaan kadalOh madam, your heart is an ocean,
Vellam thaan neenga vallal thaanA flood of kindness; you are indeed a patron!
Ammammaa unga ullam thaan kadalOh madam, your heart is an ocean,
Vellam thaan neenga vallal thaanA flood of kindness; you are indeed a patron!
Female
Irundha podu illaatti paaruIf you have it, give it; if not, just watch
Irundha podu illaatti paaruIf you have it, give it; if not, just watch
Ellorkkum iruppadhuthaanWhat everyone possesses,
Enakkum irukkuI possess too.
Indha pollaadha vayathukku thaanFor the sake of this wretched hunger/stomach,
Indha pozhappuThis livelihood exists.
Irundha podu illaatti paaruIf you have it, give it; if not, just watch
Irundha podu illaatti paaruIf you have it, give it; if not, just watch

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This street-smart song highlights social observations, street survival, and moral integrity through the perspective of a street performer or beggar figure addressing the public. The protagonist reflects on the struggles of satisfying basic hunger ('pollaadha vayathukku'), remaining uncorrupted like a rose blooming amidst thorns or oil remaining untainted above water. The song critiques societal hypocrisy, unwanted abandonment of newborn children in garbage bins, and wealthy people who lack true generosity. Through witty folk commentary, the singer asserts self-respect, drawing boundaries against intrusive bystanders while acknowledging genuine kindness when encountered.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Upamai (Simile)

Mull naduvinilae rojaa polae Poothava thaan naan

Compares the protagonist's untainted purity amidst harsh street surroundings to a rose blooming amongst thorns.

Upamai (Simile)

Thanni melae ennaiyai pol Midhandhava thaan naan

Compares remaining unattached to moral corruption in society to oil floating unmixed on water.

Metaphor & Social Satire

Vaai naatham pudicha manushanai yaar Maathi vaippaanga

Critiques human malice by comparing physical pollution of the Cooum river (which can be cleaned) to moral pollution of a foul tongue (which cannot easily be fixed).

Iyaibu (Rhyme / Rhythm)

Appappaa romba thappappaa konjam Thallappaa thalli nillaappaa

Use of repetitive rhythmic endings ('appaa' suffixes) to create a lively street-song cadence.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song comes from the 1974 Tamil social drama 'Doctor Amma'. Lyricist Vaali was well-known for writing clever street-style philosophical songs that embedded sharp social commentary into rhythmic folk tunes.

Keep listening

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