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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
Movie name
Doctor Amma
Movie release year
1974
Lyrics added on
2 May 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Irundha podu illaatti paaru
Irundha podu illaatti paaru
Ellorkkum iruppadhuthaan
Enakkum irukku
Ellorkkum iruppadhuthaan
Enakkum irukku
Indha pollaadha vayathukku thaan
Indha pozhappu
Indha pollaadha vayathukku thaan
Indha pozhappu
Irundha podu illaatti paaru
Irundha podu illaatti paaru
{Naalu dhinusu manushanaiyum
Paarthavathaan naan
Mull naduvinilae rojaa polae
Poothava thaan naan} (2)
Thanni melae ennaiyai pol
Midhandhava thaan naan
Thanni melae ennaiyai pol
Midhandhava thaan naan
Than maanathil maanai pola
Poranthava thaan naan
Appappaa romba thappappaa konjam
Thallappaa thalli nillaappaa
Appappaa romba thappappaa konjam
Thallappaa thalli nillaappaa
Irundha podu illaatti paaru
Irundha podu illaatti paaru
{Kuppai kottum thottiyilae
Pillai kedakku
Idhu pethavanga pottu vecha
Thappu kanakku} (2)
Naatham adichaa koovathaiyae
Maathi vachaanga
Naatham adichaa koovathaiyae
Maathi vachaanga
Vaai naatham pudicha manushanai yaar
Maathi vaippaanga
Ennaiyaa ada chinnaiyaa
Buthi vallaiyaa badhil sollaiyaa
Ennaiyaa ada chinnaiyaa
Buthi vallaiyaa badhil sollaiyaa
Irundha podu illaatti paaru
Irundha podu illaatti paaru
{Kappal pola caaril yaeri
Amma vandhaanga
Kaiyil oru kaasu illama
Summa vandhaanga} (2)
Kettu kodukka manasu illaatti
Naana eduppen
Kettu kodukka manasu illaatti
Naana eduppen
Pathu kaasu mattum eduthukittu
Thiruppi koduppen
Ammammaa unga ullam thaan kadal
Vellam thaan neenga vallal thaan
Ammammaa unga ullam thaan kadal
Vellam thaan neenga vallal thaan
Irundha podu illaatti paaru
Irundha podu illaatti paaru
Ellorkkum iruppadhuthaan
Enakkum irukku
Indha pollaadha vayathukku thaan
Indha pozhappu
Irundha podu illaatti paaru
Irundha podu illaatti paaru
If you have some money, toss it; if not, just watch!
If you have some money, toss it; if not, just watch!
Whatever everyone else has,
I have it too.
Whatever everyone else has,
I have it too.
It is only for this troublesome youth
that I make a living like this.
It is only for this troublesome youth
that I make a living like this.
If you have some money, toss it; if not, just watch!
If you have some money, toss it; if not, just watch!
I am someone who has seen
every kind of person in this world.
Like a rose blooming in the middle of thorns,
I am one who blossomed.
Like oil floating on top of water,
I am one who stayed untouched.
Like oil floating on top of water,
I am one who stayed untouched.
With proud self-respect like a deer,
I am one who was born.
Oh dear, that is very wrong, mister;
step back, please stand away!
Oh dear, that is very wrong, mister;
step back, please stand away!
If you have some money, toss it; if not, just watch!
If you have some money, toss it; if not, just watch!
Inside a garbage dumping bin,
a newborn baby lies abandoned.
This is the terrible mistake
made by the parents who gave birth.
When it stank, even the Cooum river
was cleaned and set right.
When it stank, even the Cooum river
was cleaned and set right.
Who can ever reform a person
whose mouth only spills foul filth?
What is it, hey young mister?
Grow some sense and give me an answer!
What is it, hey young mister?
Grow some sense and give me an answer!
If you have some money, toss it; if not, just watch!
If you have some money, toss it; if not, just watch!
Riding in a car as grand as a ship,
the rich lady arrived.
Without a single coin in her hand,
she came completely empty-handed.
If you do not have the heart to give when asked,
I will take it myself!
If you do not have the heart to give when asked,
I will take it myself!
Taking only ten paise for myself,
I will return all the rest!
Oh my, your heart is truly an ocean,
an overflowing flood, you are so generous!
Oh my, your heart is truly an ocean,
an overflowing flood, you are so generous!
If you have some money, toss it; if not, just watch!
If you have some money, toss it; if not, just watch!
Whatever everyone else has,
I have it too.
It is only for this troublesome youth
that I make a living like this.
If you have some money, toss it; if not, just watch!
If you have some money, toss it; if not, just watch!
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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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