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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kalikalam Seithidum Jalam

From Thozhan · 1960

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
Jikki
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Movie name
Thozhan
Movie release year
1960
Lyrics added on
11 Jun 2023

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kalikaalam seithidum jaalam
Palar kanavae kanni pennum
Kaalil salangai konja
Aadidum paadidum indha kolam
Kalikaalam seithidum jaalam
Palar kanavae kanni pennum
Kaalil salangai konja
Aadidum paadidum indha kolam
Kalikaalam seithidum jaalam
Palar kanavae kanni pennum
Kaalil salangai konja
Aadidum paadidum indha kolam
Thingaludan gangai yaani naadhan
Thillai ambalathi aadiya paadhan
Thingaludan gangai yaani naadhan
Thillai ambalathi aadiya paadhan
Ingu vandhu nadamaadiya podhum
Ingu vandhu nadamaadiya podhum
Indha kumbalum serndhu irukaadhu
Indha kumbalum serndhu irukaadhu
Pudhu paruva azhagi enbathaalae
Pudhu paruva azhagi enbathaalae
Dhinam varudhu rasiga kumbal thannalae
Dhinam varudhu rasiga kumbal thannalae
Kalikaalam seithidum jaalam
Palar kanavae kanni pennum
Kaalil salangai konja
Aadidum paadidum indha kolam
Thoppai vayiru kulukkidum raaja
Pakkam thaalam podura kooja
Thoppai vayiru kulukkidum raaja
Pakkam thaalam podura kooja
Indha seppusilai ennaiyum lesa
Indha seppusilai ennaiyum lesa
Enni seiyudhu dhinamum rombha thaaja
Enni seiyudhu dhinamum rombha thaaja
Manakirukku migundhu alaiyaadhae
Manakirukku migundhu alaiyaadhae
Enai mayakki ninaichu yemaradhae
Enai mayakki ninaichu yemaradhae
Kalikaalam seithidum jaalam
Palar kanavae kanni pennum
Kaalil salangai konja
Aadidum paadidum indha kolam
Look at the tricks this modern age plays!
Just to see it all, a young girl
with dancing bells jingling at her feet,
sings and dances in this spectacle!
Look at the tricks this modern age plays!
Just to see it all, a young girl
with dancing bells jingling at her feet,
sings and dances in this spectacle!
Look at the tricks this modern age plays!
Just to see it all, a young girl
with dancing bells jingling at her feet,
sings and dances in this spectacle!
The Lord wearing the crescent moon and river Ganga,
whose sacred feet danced in the temple hall of Thillai—
The Lord wearing the crescent moon and river Ganga,
whose sacred feet danced in the temple hall of Thillai—
even if he came down here to dance,
even if he came down here to dance,
such a crowd would never gather!
such a crowd would never gather!
Just because she is a fresh young beauty,
just because she is a fresh young beauty,
a crowd of admirers flocks here on its own every day!
a crowd of admirers flocks here on its own every day!
Look at the tricks this modern age plays!
Just to see it all, a young girl
with dancing bells jingling at her feet,
sings and dances in this spectacle!
A wealthy man shaking his potbelly,
and beside him, a yes-man clapping out of rhythm!
A wealthy man shaking his potbelly,
and beside him, a yes-man clapping out of rhythm!
Taking me, a sculpted beauty, so lightly,
taking me, a sculpted beauty, so lightly,
he flatters and pleases me so much every day!
he flatters and pleases me so much every day!
Do not wander around in your foolish craze,
do not wander around in your foolish craze,
and do not be fooled thinking you can charm me!
and do not be fooled thinking you can charm me!
Look at the tricks this modern age plays!
Just to see it all, a young girl
with dancing bells jingling at her feet,
sings and dances in this spectacle!
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song is a satirical commentary on the modern age (Kali Yuga) where superficial glamor overrides genuine art and devotion. The performer on stage observes the huge crowd gathered to watch her dance and remarks that even if Lord Shiva Himself came down to perform His cosmic dance, people would not gather in such numbers, because society today is obsessed solely with youthful beauty and entertainment.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Satire and Irony

Ingu vandhu nadamaadiya podhum / Indha kumbalum serndhu irukaadhu

The lyrics sarcastically contrast Lord Shiva's sacred dance in Thillai with a modern dance show, highlighting society's shallow priorities in Kali Yuga.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Thingaludan gangai yaani naadhan / Thillai ambalathi aadiya paadhan

Repetition of the initial 'Th' sound across consecutive lines.

Metaphor (Uruvakam)

Indha seppusilai ennaiyum lesa

Describing herself as 'seppusilai' (a sculpted bronze statue) to emphasize physical perfection and artistic form.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by G. Ramanathan with lyrics by A. Maruthakasi, the song features singer Jikki delivering a lively rendition that perfectly blends theatrical dance rhythms with sharp social satire, a hallmark of mid-20th-century Tamil cinema dance sequences.

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