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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kaalangal Unakkaga

From Pennai Vazha Vidungal · 1969

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
Movie name
Pennai Vazha Vidungal
Movie release year
1969
Lyrics added on
15 Aug 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Paadhaiyilae kaal nadanthaal
Oor poi serum
Bodhaiyilae nee nadanthaal oorae maarum
Kaalangal unakkaaga
Kaaththirukkaathu
Kaalangal unakkaaga
Kaaththirukkaathu
Kaaladi suvadugal kooda varaathu
Kaaladi suvadugal kooda varaathu
Kaalangal unakkaaga
Kaaththirukkaathu
Nallavan endrae ooraar sollum
Nallavan endrae ooraar sollum
Pugazhum bodhai allava
Nadaththaiyai kondu mathippathai kandu
Nadaththaiyai kondu mathippathai kandu
Vaazhvathu vaazhkkaiyallavaa….aa….
Innum naan sollavaa
Kaalangal unakkaaga
Kaaththirukkaathu
………………….
Pazhaguvathellam pazhagiya pinnae
Azhupavan kozhaiyallavaa…..aa….
Pazhaguvathellam pazhagiya pinnae
Azhupavan kozhaiyallavaa…..aa….
Ninaippathum neeyae nadappathum neeyae
Ninaippathum neeyae nadappathum neeyae
Nenjae saatchiyallavaa…..aa….
Innum naan sollavaa
Kaalangal unakkaaga
Kaaththirukkaathu
Aadaigal vaeru jaadaigal vaeru
Aadaigal vaeru jaadaigal vaeru
Penmai ondrallavaa….aa….
Kinnangal vaeru vannangal vaeru
Kinnangal vaeru vannangal vaeru
Bodhai ondrallavaa….aa….
Innum naan sollavaa
Kaalangal unakkaaga
Kaaththirukkaathu
Kaaladi suvadugal kooda varaathu
Kaalangal unakkaaga
Kaaththirukkaathu
If your feet walk along the path,
you will reach your destination.
If you walk in intoxication, the world around you changes.
Time, for your sake,
will not wait.
Time, for your sake,
will not wait.
Even your footprints will not come along with you.
Even your footprints will not come along with you.
Time, for your sake,
will not wait.
Hearing the people call you a good man,
hearing the people call you a good man,
is an intoxication of fame, isn't it?
Seeing oneself valued by one's conduct,
seeing oneself valued by one's conduct,
is that not what true living is?
Shall I tell you more?
Time, for your sake,
will not wait.
...
After experiencing everything closely,
isn't the one who cries a coward?
After experiencing everything closely,
isn't the one who cries a coward?
You are the one who thinks, and you are the one who acts,
you are the one who thinks, and you are the one who acts,
isn't your own heart the witness?
Shall I tell you more?
Time, for your sake,
will not wait.
The clothes are different, the gestures are different,
the clothes are different, the gestures are different,
but womanhood is one, isn't it?
The cups are different, the colors are different,
the cups are different, the colors are different,
but intoxication is one, isn't it?
Shall I tell you more?
Time, for your sake,
will not wait.
Even your footprints will not come along with you.
Time, for your sake,
will not wait.
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Male
Female
Female
Female
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Female
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Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This philosophical song written by lyricist Kannadasan emphasizes the fleeting nature of time and the importance of living a meaningful life guided by good moral conduct. The lyrics warn against getting lost in intoxication and superficial pursuits, reminding the listener that time waits for no one and even footprints do not last forever. Through deep introspective metaphors, the song urges self-realization, pointing out that conscience is the ultimate judge of human actions.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edugai (Rhyme/Assonance)

“Paadhaiyilae kaal nadanthaal / Bodhaiyilae nee nadanthaal oorae maarum”

The second letter agreement in 'Paadhaiyilae' and 'Bodhaiyilae' creates rhythm and flow.

Metaphor

“Pugazhum bodhai allava”

Comparing fame and public praise to intoxication ('Pugazhum bodhai').

Parallelism and Contrast

“Aadaigal vaeru jaadaigal vaeru ... Penmai ondrallavaa”

Juxtaposing external variations (clothing, goblets) with fundamental oneness (womanhood, intoxication).

Did you know?

Trivia

Pennai Vazha Vidungal (1969) is a Tamil film directed by Devaraj, starring Jaishankar and K. R. Vijaya, featuring philosophical songs written by Kannadasan with music composed by S. M. Subbaiah Naidu.

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