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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kalikalam Seithidum Jalam

From Thozhan · 1960

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
Jikki
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Details
Thozhan1960

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kalikaalam seithidum jaalamThis magic performed by Kali Yuga,
Palar kanavae kanni pennumA young maiden who is the dream of many,
Kaalil salangai konjaWith anklets jingling on her feet,
Aadidum paadidum indha kolamThis state of dancing and singing!
Female
Kalikaalam seithidum jaalamThis magic performed by Kali Yuga,
Palar kanavae kanni pennumA young maiden who is the dream of many,
Kaalil salangai konjaWith anklets jingling on her feet,
Aadidum paadidum indha kolamThis state of dancing and singing!
Female
Kalikaalam seithidum jaalamThis magic performed by Kali Yuga,
Palar kanavae kanni pennumA young maiden who is the dream of many,
Kaalil salangai konjaWith anklets jingling on her feet,
Aadidum paadidum indha kolamThis state of dancing and singing!
Female
Thingaludan gangai yaani naadhanLord Shiva, who adorns the crescent moon and the river Ganges,
Thillai ambalathi aadiya paadhanWhose divine feet danced in the golden hall of Thillai,
Thingaludan gangai yaani naadhanLord Shiva, who adorns the crescent moon and the river Ganges,
Thillai ambalathi aadiya paadhanWhose divine feet danced in the golden hall of Thillai,
Ingu vandhu nadamaadiya podhumEven if He were to come and dance right here,
Ingu vandhu nadamaadiya podhumEven if He were to come and dance right here,
Indha kumbalum serndhu irukaadhuThis crowd would not gather together for Him like this.
Indha kumbalum serndhu irukaadhuThis crowd would not gather together for Him like this.
Pudhu paruva azhagi enbathaalaeJust because she is a youthful beauty,
Pudhu paruva azhagi enbathaalaeJust because she is a youthful beauty,
Dhinam varudhu rasiga kumbal thannalaeA crowd of admirers automatically turns up every day.
Dhinam varudhu rasiga kumbal thannalaeA crowd of admirers automatically turns up every day.
Female
Kalikaalam seithidum jaalamThis magic performed by Kali Yuga,
Palar kanavae kanni pennumA young maiden who is the dream of many,
Kaalil salangai konjaWith anklets jingling on her feet,
Aadidum paadidum indha kolamThis state of dancing and singing!
Female
Thoppai vayiru kulukkidum raajaA wealthy 'king' whose pot-belly shakes,
Pakkam thaalam podura koojaWith his sidekick beating time by his side,
Thoppai vayiru kulukkidum raajaA wealthy 'king' whose pot-belly shakes,
Pakkam thaalam podura koojaWith his sidekick beating time by his side,
Indha seppusilai ennaiyum lesaTaking me, a bronze statue-like maiden, lightly,
Indha seppusilai ennaiyum lesaTaking me, a bronze statue-like maiden, lightly,
Enni seiyudhu dhinamum rombha thaajaHe tries to flatter and woo me lavishly every single day.
Enni seiyudhu dhinamum rombha thaajaHe tries to flatter and woo me lavishly every single day.
Manakirukku migundhu alaiyaadhaeDo not wander around with excessive mental infatuation,
Manakirukku migundhu alaiyaadhaeDo not wander around with excessive mental infatuation,
Enai mayakki ninaichu yemaradhaeDo not be deceived into thinking you can charm me.
Enai mayakki ninaichu yemaradhaeDo not be deceived into thinking you can charm me.
Female
Kalikaalam seithidum jaalamThis magic performed by Kali Yuga,
Palar kanavae kanni pennumA young maiden who is the dream of many,
Kaalil salangai konjaWith anklets jingling on her feet,
Aadidum paadidum indha kolamThis state of dancing and singing!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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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