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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kalyanam Paaru Appavoda

From Uthiri Pookkal · 1979

Lyricist
M. G. Vallaban
Singer
S. P. Sailaja
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Uthiri Pookkal1979

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
………………………....
Female
Kalyaanam paaru appavoda kalyanam paaruLook at the wedding, look at father's wedding!
Hae amma appa kalyanatha yaaru paappaHey, who gets to see their mother and father's wedding?
Hae unnakkadichadu yogamHey, you are lucky!
Nee paarka koduthu vecha haeYou were blessed to witness this, hey!
Kalyaanam paaru appavoda kalyanam paaruLook at the wedding, look at father's wedding!
Female
Naalum moonum ezhu endruSaying four plus three equals seven,
Palli kanakku solli kodupparThey teach mathematics at school.
Naalu moonum onbathunnuSaying four plus three equals nine,
Veettu kanakkil kottai viduvaarHe completely slips up in family life's math!
Female
Appa munnaal appa munaal thaanaeIn front of father, only in front of father,
Pillagal ellam kalyanam aagumAll children get married,
Meladhaala oorkolam pogumAnd go on a procession with music and drums.
Hae petha pulla munnalaeHey, right in front of his own child,
Kalyanam seithaaraiyaa haeHe went ahead and got married, oh my!
Kalyaanam paaru appavoda kalyanam paaruLook at the wedding, look at father's wedding!
Female
Veetil irundha pen deivathaThe divine woman who resided in the home,
Viratti adicha maapaaviyaeO great sinner who chased her away!
Soodi konda muthaarathaThe pearl necklace that was adorned,
Suzhattri potta maapillaiyaeO groom who tossed it away carelessly!
Female
Oiyarammaa oiyaramma vangaO elegant ladies, come along!
Oorellam onnaaga koodaAs the whole town gathers together,
Paadhaiellam poovai alli podaTo shower handfuls of flowers along the path,
Hae aarathi edukka un ponnu kathirukku haeHey, your daughter is waiting to perform the aarathi ritual!
Kalyaanam paaru appavoda kalyanam paaruLook at the wedding, look at father's wedding!
Female
Kodiyil pootha mullaigalaeO jasmine flowers blooming on the vine!
Koovi thiriyum killaigalaeO parrots wandering and calling out!
Alli anaikka naanirukkenI am here to embrace and comfort you,
Anbu vaeli katti veippenI will build a fence of love around you.
Female
Vaazhaikandru vaazhaikkandru renduTwo little banana saplings,
Padaichavalum ponaalae andruThe woman who gave birth to them passed away that day,
Kaathavanum maranthaanae indruThe man who was meant to protect them forgot today.
Adhai kaakkavum pakkavumTo protect and care for them,
Nadhiyaaga naaniruppen haeI will stay like a flowing river, hey!
Kalyaanam paaru appavoda kalyanam paaruLook at the wedding, look at father's wedding!
Female
Hae amma appa kalyanatha yaaru paappaHey, who gets to see their mother and father's wedding?
Hae unnakkadichadu yogamHey, you are lucky!
Nee paarka koduthu vecha haeYou were blessed to witness this, hey!
Kalyaanam paaru appavoda kalyanam paaruLook at the wedding, look at father's wedding!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from the landmark Tamil film 'Uthiri Pookkal' (1979) carries intense sarcasm, irony, and emotional turmoil. Sung during a wedding procession, it mockingly celebrates a villainous father remarrying in front of his own young children after abusing and driving his first wife to death. The lyrics contrast societal norms—where children marry after their parents—with the twisted reality of a callous father prioritizing his own desires over his family's welfare.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Irony / Sarcasm (Iraiporul)

Hae unnakkadichadu yogam / Nee paarka koduthu vecha hae

The speaker mockingly congratulates the child on being 'lucky' to witness their father's wedding, highlighting the absurd and painful situation.

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Kodiyil pootha mullaigalae / Vaazhaikandru vaazhaikkandru rendu

The children are poetically compared to tender jasmine flowers ('mullaigalae') and little banana saplings ('vaazhaikkandru').

Contrast (Ethirsol)

Palli kanakku solli koduppar / Veettu kanakkil kottai viduvaar

The lyrics contrast exact school mathematics (4+3=7) with the messy, ruined calculation of home life (4+3=9).

Did you know?

Trivia

'Uthiri Pookkal', directed by J. Mahendran and based on Pudhumaipithan's short story 'Chittannai', is widely regarded as one of the greatest classics of Tamil cinema. The music was composed by Ilaiyaraaja, and this particular song highlights the cruel nature of the protagonist Sundaravadivelu (played brilliantly by Vijayan).

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