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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kannaamoochi Aattam

From Yaar Paiyyan · 1957

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
R. Balasaraswathi Devi
Music director
S. Dakshinamurthi
Details
Yaar Paiyyan1957

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kannaamoochi aattamThis is not a game of hide and seek,
Illadaa raajaaOh dear king,
Enni paarthu badhilai neeThink carefully and give me the answer,
Solludaa raajaaTell me, oh dear king.
Female
Kannaamoochi aattamThis is not a game of hide and seek,
Illadaa raajaaOh dear king,
Enni paarthu badhilai neeThink carefully and give me the answer,
Solludaa raajaaTell me, oh dear king.
Female
Thanneerai kaanum podhuWhen it sees water,
Thaviyaaga thavikkumaeIt struggles in distress,
Female
Tharai meedhu thaavi thaaviJumping along the ground,
Nammodu nadakkumaeIt walks alongside us.
Adhu yenna… o raajaaWhat is that... oh king?
Nee enni paarthu solludaYou think carefully and tell me,
Yenna o raajaWhat is it, oh king?
Nee enni paarthu solludaYou think carefully and tell me.
Female
Kannaamoochi aattamThis is not a game of hide and seek,
Illadaa raajaaOh dear king,
Enni paarthu badhilai neeThink carefully and give me the answer,
Solludaa raajaaTell me, oh dear king.
Chorus
Kudhiraa…naaiyi…A horse... a dog...
Male :Seruppu…Male: A slipper...
Female :SabashFemale: Bravo!
Female
Pachai tholil mullirukkumIt has thorns on its green skin,
Pagarkaayum allavaeYet it is not a bitter gourd,
Female
Padhamaai kaaichiWhen boiled properly,
Nei vadiyumGhee oozes from it,
Pasum vennai allavaeYet it is not fresh cow butter.
Adhu yenna… o raajaaWhat is that... oh king?
Nee enni paarthu solludaYou think carefully and tell me,
Yenna o raajaWhat is it, oh king?
Nee enni paarthu solludaYou think carefully and tell me.
Female
Kannaamoochi aattamThis is not a game of hide and seek,
Illadaa raajaaOh dear king,
Enni paarthu badhilai neeThink carefully and give me the answer,
Solludaa raajaaTell me, oh dear king.
Chorus
…………………………..........................
Male
AamanakkuCastor seed!
Female
BalaeBravo!
Female
Palliyilae paadam mattumIs it enough to just study lessons
Padithaalae podhumaaAt school?
Female
Pagutharivai valarthu nallaYou must develop rational thinking
Palan kaana venumaeTo see fruitful results.
Kannae en raajaaMy darling, my king,
Un karuthil idhai kolludaaKeep this in your mind,
Kannae yen raajaaMy darling, my king,
Un karuthil idhai kolludaaKeep this in your mind.
Female
Kannaamoochi aattamThis is not a game of hide and seek,
Illadaa raajaaOh dear king,
Enni paarthu badhilai neeThink carefully and give me the answer,
Solludaa raajaaTell me, oh dear king.
Female
Kannaamoochi aattamThis is not a game of hide and seek,
Illadaa raajaaOh dear king,
Enni paarthu badhilai neeThink carefully and give me the answer,
Solludaa raajaaTell me, oh dear king.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful riddle song from the 1957 Tamil film Yaar Paiyyan features a female character asking riddles to a young male character. Through a fun game of questions and answers, she challenges him to identify everyday objects like slippers and castor seeds using his wits rather than relying on guesswork. Beyond the lighthearted riddles, lyricist A. Maruthakasi weaves in a deeper educational message. The song emphasizes that school education alone is incomplete unless one cultivates 'pagutharivu' (rational and critical thinking). It encourages young minds to observe the world carefully and apply intellect in everyday life.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Palliyilae paadam mattum / Padithaalae podhumaa

Repetition of the initial 'Pa' sound in 'Palliyilae', 'paadam', and 'Padithaalae' creates a smooth, rhythmic flow.

Ethirai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Thanneerai kaanum podhu / Thaviyaaga thavikkumae

Rhyming of the second consonant sound 'nn' across lines 'Thanneerai' and 'Thaviyaaga'.

Vidukadhai (Riddle Motif / Imagery)

Pachai tholil mullirukkum / Pagarkaayum allavae

Use of paradoxical and descriptive physical traits to form engaging poetic riddles.

Did you know?

Trivia

Yaar Paiyyan (1957) starred Gemini Ganesan and Savitri, with music composed by S. Dakshinamurthi. The song incorporates elements of the Dravidian rationalist movement popular during 1950s Tamil cinema, encouraging 'Pagutharivu' (rationalism) in children through accessible folk riddles.

Keep listening

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