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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kanivudan Thirumbiye Paarum

From Ezhai Padum Padu · 1950

Lyricist
V. A. Gopalakrishnan
Singer
P. A. Periyanayaki
Music director
S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
Details
Ezhai Padum Padu1950

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Oo oo oo oohho…..aiyaa vaangaOo oo oo oohho... come sir
Oo oo oo oohho…..amma vaangaOo oo oo oohho... come madam
Female
Kanivudan thirumbiyae paarumTurn around with kindness and look
Oru kaasumae thaarumGive me even just one coin
Ottai seppu kaasu eduththu pidi veesuTake a copper coin with a hole and toss a handful
Ezhai pennaiTo this poor girl
Kanivudan thirumbiyae paarumTurn around with kindness and look
Oru kaasumae thaarumGive me even just one coin
Ottai seppu kaasu eduththu pidi veesuTake a copper coin with a hole and toss a handful
Ezhai pennaiTo this poor girl
Kanivudan thirumbiyae paarumTurn around with kindness and look
Aa…..aaa…..aah…..Aa... aaa... aah...
Female
Ooi….murukkiya meesaHey... twirled mustache
Paakkavae ponguthae aasaJust looking at it makes desire well up
Murukkiya meesa paakkavae ponguthae aasaTwirled mustache, just looking at it makes desire well up
Paanai vayirea pesuthe thaaralamethaaneYour pot-like belly speaks of generosity itself
Paanai vayirea pesuthe thaaralamethaaneYour pot-like belly speaks of generosity itself
Yosikkaama neenga narpaeru vaangi pongaWithout hesitating, leave with a good reputation
Vaesam podatheenga aiyaa….Don't put on a fake front, sir...
Female
Kanivudan thirumbiyae paarumTurn around with kindness and look
Oru kaasumae thaarumGive me even just one coin
Ottai seppu kaasu eduththu pidi veesuTake a copper coin with a hole and toss a handful
Ezhai pennaiTo this poor girl
Kanivudan thirumbiyae paarumTurn around with kindness and look
Aa…..aaa…..aah…..Aa... aaa... aah...
Female
Ooi….tak tak poottuHey... click-clack boots
Oo….sir-re udaigal neettuOo... smart long suits
Tak tak poottu Oo….sir-re udaigal neettuClick-clack boots, oo... smart long suits
Thalai melae hut-tu un suit-tuvinothamaeA hat on your head, your suit is so unique
Oiyaara maamae un pipe-pu kai pirambumaeStylish uncle, with your pipe and walking cane in hand
Oiyaara maamae un pipe-pu kai pirambumaeStylish uncle, with your pipe and walking cane in hand
Azhgu raasan kavi vilaasan enathu naesanKing of beauty, patron of poets, my beloved
Anbu mattum irunthaaIf only there is love
Oo……dharmarasaa….Oo... king of charity...
Female
Kanivudan thirumbiyae paarumTurn around with kindness and look
Oru kaasumae thaarumGive me even just one coin
Ottai seppu kaasu eduththu pidi veesuTake a copper coin with a hole and toss a handful
Ezhai pennaiTo this poor girl
Kanivudan thirumbiyae paarumTurn around with kindness and look
Aa…..aaa…..aah…..Aa... aaa... aah...
Female
Alli thodu malli komalavalliLily touch, tender jasmine vine
Alli thodu malli komalavalliLily touch, tender jasmine vine
Nee illaiyinnaathu solliSaying that without you it cannot be
Nee illaiyinnaathu solli…..podu solliSaying that without you it cannot be... say it
Kai neettuvorin kavalai theera kaasu poduvaayaeTo relieve the sorrow of those stretching out their hands, won't you give a coin?
En kaamavalli…..My wish-fulfilling vine...
Kai neettuvorin kavalai theera kaasu poduvaayaeTo relieve the sorrow of those stretching out their hands, won't you give a coin?
En kaamavalli…..My wish-fulfilling vine...
Female
Kanivudan thirumbiyae paarumTurn around with kindness and look
Oru kaasumae thaarumGive me even just one coin
Ottai seppu kaasu eduththu pidi veesuTake a copper coin with a hole and toss a handful
Ezhai pennaiTo this poor girl
Kanivudan thirumbiyae paarumTurn around with kindness and look
Aa…..aaa…..aah…..Aa... aaa... aah...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This street song from 'Ezhai Padum Padu' (1950) depicts a poor young woman appealing to wealthy passersby for charity. Using playful flattery, satire, and social commentary, she notices various rich characters walking by—admiring their twirled mustaches, pot bellies, western boots, hats, pipes, and fine suits—and urges them to share a small portion of their wealth to relieve her suffering.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Onomatopoeia (Oliyakkuipul)

Ooi….tak tak poottu

The phrase 'tak tak poottu' mimics the sharp clicking sound made by formal western boots walking on pavement.

Satire / Irony (Nakaiyaadal)

Paanai vayirea pesuthe thaaralamethaane

The singer sarcastically equates a wealthy man's prosperous pot belly ('paanai vayiru') to a symbol of natural generosity, humorously coaxing money out of him.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

En kaamavalli…..

Addressing the potential donor as 'Kaamavalli' (wish-fulfilling vine) and 'Dharmarasaa' (king of charity) elevates the act of giving to a divine quality.

Rhyme / Assonance (Mona / Ethirai)

Murukkiya meesa paakkavae ponguthae aasa

Internal rhyming words like 'meesa' and 'aasa' create a catchy rhythm suited for a street performance song.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Ezhai Padum Padu' (1950) was a landmark Tamil film adaptation of Victor Hugo's legendary novel 'Les Misérables'. Directed by K. Ramnoth and produced by his partner A. K. Sekhar, the soundtrack was largely composed by S. M. Subbaiah Naidu, bringing realistic social issues to the forefront of early Tamil cinema.

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