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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kannai Kavarum Azhagu Valai

From Sugam Enge · 1954

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singers
A. P. Komala, K. R. Ramasamy
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Details
Sugam Enge1954

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Kannai kavarum azhagu valaiAn eye-attracting net of beauty,
Kalaigalil sirandha thaiyarkalaiThe art of tailoring, supreme among all arts.
Kannai kavarum azhagu valaiAn eye-attracting net of beauty,
Kalaigalil sirandha thaiyarkalaiThe art of tailoring, supreme among all arts.
Pala kalaigalil sirandha thaiyarkalaiThe art of tailoring, supreme among many arts.
Male
Pennin azhagai perukkiyae kaattumIt enhances and showcases a woman's beauty,
Unnadhamaana uruvam undaagumCreating a grand and sublime appearance.
Pennin azhagai perukkiyae kaattumIt enhances and showcases a woman's beauty,
Unnadhamaana uruvam undaagumCreating a grand and sublime appearance.
Male
Kannai kavarum azhagu valaiAn eye-attracting net of beauty,
Kalaigalil sirandha thaiyarkalaiThe art of tailoring, supreme among all arts.
Pala kalaigalil sirandha thaiyarkalaiThe art of tailoring, supreme among many arts.
Female
Padikkadhavarai BA MAEven an uneducated person without BA or MA,
Pattadhaari pol maatrividumIt will transform into someone looking like a degree graduate!
Padikkadhavarai BA MAEven an uneducated person without BA or MA,
Pattadhaari pol maatrividumIt will transform into someone looking like a degree graduate!
Idhu pattadhaari pol maatrividumThis will transform them like a graduate,
Pudhu sattaikaara durai aakkividumAnd turn them into a suited gentleman!
Male
Pannai velai seiyum pennaiA woman working in the farm fields,
Paarys lady aakividumIt will turn her into a Paris lady!
Pannai velai seiyum pennaiA woman working in the farm fields,
Paarys lady aakividumIt will turn her into a Paris lady!
Idhu paarys lady aakividumThis will turn her into a Paris lady,
Miga padithaval pola kaattividumMaking her look like a highly educated lady!
Male
Kannai kavarum azhagu valaiAn eye-attracting net of beauty,
Kalaigalil sirandha thaiyarkalaiThe art of tailoring, supreme among all arts.
Pala kalaigalil sirandha thaiyarkalaiThe art of tailoring, supreme among many arts.
Female
Kilavargal thammai kumarargal aakiMaking old men feel like young youths,
Kinnaaram poda seithidumaePrompting them to play romantic tunes!
Kilavargal thammai kumarargal aakiMaking old men feel like young youths,
Kinnaaram poda seithidumaePrompting them to play romantic tunes!
Male
Kilavigal thammaiyum kumarigal aakkiTurning old women into young maidens,
Kaeli pesavum seithidumaeMaking them join in playful banter!
Kilavigal thammaiyum kumarigal aakkiTurning old women into young maidens,
Kaeli pesavum seithidumaeMaking them join in playful banter!
Female
Aadum maadum meippavar koodaEven those who herd goats and cattle,
Aniyum mainar bushcoatNow wear stylish dandy bushcoats!
Aadum maadum meippavar koodaEven those who herd goats and cattle,
Aniyum mainar bushcoatNow wear stylish dandy bushcoats!
Male
Idhu aadum rani innisai vaaniThis dancing queen and sweet songstress,
Podum high neck jacketWears a high-neck jacket!
Idhu aadum rani innisai vaaniThis dancing queen and sweet songstress,
Podum high neck jacketWears a high-neck jacket!
Female
Indha bushcoatThis bushcoat!
Male :Indha jacketMale : This jacket!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This humorous and lively song celebrates tailoring (thaiyarkalai) as the ultimate art form capable of transforming anyone's status and appearance. Through clever satire, the lyrics describe how smartly tailored clothes like bushcoats and high-neck jackets can make uneducated laborers look like educated graduates, farmworkers look like fashion-conscious Paris ladies, and elderly citizens feel like energetic young lovers.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Kannai kavarum azhagu valai / Kalaigalil sirandha thaiyarkalai

Matching second consonants in adjacent lines, such as 'Kannai' and 'Kalaigalil'.

Moona (Initial Alliteration)

Kilavargal thammai kumarargal aaki

Repetition of initial consonant sounds 'K' in 'Kilavargal' and 'kumarargal'.

Hyperbole / Satire

Pannai velai seiyum pennai / Paarys lady aakividum

Exaggeration used for comedic effect, claiming tailoring turns illiterate farm workers into Paris ladies and graduates.

Did you know?

Trivia

This satirical track from 'Sugam Enge' (1954) highlights the social perception of Western attire like bushcoats and jackets during mid-20th century Tamil Nadu, written with characteristic wit by legendary lyricist A. Maruthakasi.

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