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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Maargazhiyil Kulichu Paaru

From Onbadhu Roobai Nottu · 2007

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
Srinivas
Music director
Bharathwaj
Details
Onbadhu Roobai Nottu2007

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Haa…aa…aa…haa…aa..aa…Haa…aa…aa…haa…aa..aa…
Haa…aa…aa…haa…aa..aa…Haa…aa…aa…haa…aa..aa…
Male
Maargazhiyil kulichu paaruTry taking a bath in the cold month of Margazhi,
Kuliru pazhagi pogumThe cold will become something you get used to.
Maadhavanaa vaazhndhu paaruTry living like Madhavan,
Varumai pazhagi pogumPoverty will become something you get used to.
Male
Uppillaama kudichchu paaruTry drinking without adding salt,
Kanji pazhagi pogumThe porridge will become something you get used to.
Paai ilaama paduththu paaruTry sleeping without a mat,
Thookkam pazhagi pogumSleep will become something you get used to.
Male
Varumaiyodu irundhu paaruTry living amidst poverty,
Vaazhvu pazhagi pogumLife itself will become something you get used to.
Sandhosaththa veruthu paaruTry detaching yourself from happiness,
Saavu pazhagi pogumDeath itself will become something you get used to.
Male
Maargazhiyil kulichu paaruTry taking a bath in the cold month of Margazhi,
Kuliru pazhagi pogumThe cold will become something you get used to.
Maadhavanaa vaazhndhu paaruTry living like Madhavan,
Varumai pazhagi pogumPoverty will become something you get used to.
Male
Ennoda soththellaamAll of my possessions,
TholaichuputtenI have lost them all.
Ippo en perum olagathaiyaeNow, in my name, the entire world,
EzhudhikittenI have registered as mine.
Thuravikku veedu manaiFor an ascetic, house and land,
Yedhum illaiThere is none.
Oru kuruvikku kaasae dhaanFor a small bird, money,
Thaevai illaiIs never needed.
Male
Sillena kaathuChilly breeze,
Siththoda ooththuWater stream near the spring,
Pasichaa kanjiPorridge when hungry,
Paduthaa urakkamSleep when lying down,
Podhumada podhumadaaEnough, oh man, enough,
Podhumadaa saamiEnough, Lord!
Naan sonnaakka valamidamaIf I command, clock-wise and counter-clockwise,
Suththumadaa bhoomi…..The earth itself will rotate...
Male
Maargazhiyil kulichu paaruTry taking a bath in the cold month of Margazhi,
Kuliru pazhagi pogumThe cold will become something you get used to.
Maadhavanaa vaazhndhu paaruTry living like Madhavan,
Varumai pazhagi pogumPoverty will become something you get used to.
Female
Haa…aa…aa…haa…aa..aa…Haa…aa…aa…haa…aa..aa…
Haa…aa…aa…haa…aa..aa…Haa…aa…aa…haa…aa..aa…
Male
Kaasu panam sandhosamCash and wealth,
TharuvadhillaDo not give happiness.
Vaira kallukku arisiyoduA diamond stone does not have,
Rusiyum illaThe taste of rice.
Podhumennum manasa polaLike a mind that says 'enough',
Selvam illaThere is no greater wealth.
Than pondaatti pola oruLike one's own wife,
Deivam illaThere is no greater deity.
Male
Vaeppamara nizhaluThe shade of a neem tree,
Whistle adikkum kuyiluA cuckoo bird whistling,
Maatu mani saththamThe sound of a cattle bell,
Vayasaana muththamAn affectionate kiss from an elder,
Podhumada podhumadaaEnough, oh man, enough,
Podhumadaa saami- adaEnough, Lord! Hey,
Enna pola sugamaan aaluA person as peaceful and happy as me,
Irundhaa kaamiShow me if anyone exists!
Male
Maargazhiyil kulichu paaruTry taking a bath in the cold month of Margazhi,
Kuliru pazhagi pogumThe cold will become something you get used to.
Maadhavanaa vaazhndhu paaruTry living like Madhavan,
Varumai pazhagi pogumPoverty will become something you get used to.
Male
Uppillaama kudichchu paaruTry drinking without adding salt,
Kanji pazhagi pogumThe porridge will become something you get used to.
Paai ilaama paduththu paaruTry sleeping without a mat,
Thookkam pazhagi pogumSleep will become something you get used to.
Male
Varumaiyodu irundhu paaruTry living amidst poverty,
Vaazhvu pazhagi pogumLife itself will become something you get used to.
Sandhosaththa veruthu paaruTry detaching yourself from happiness,
Saavu pazhagi pogumDeath itself will become something you get used to.
Male
Maargazhiyil kulichu paaruTry taking a bath in the cold month of Margazhi,
Kuliru pazhagi pogumThe cold will become something you get used to.
Maadhavanaa vaazhndhu paaruTry living like Madhavan,
Varumai pazhagi pogumPoverty will become something you get used to.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This soulful song from the movie 'Onbadhu Roobai Nottu' reflects deep philosophical values about contentments, minimalism, and detachment from material riches. Written by Vairamuthu, the lyricist conveys that habituation makes hardship manageable—whether it is bathing in freezing winter water or living in extreme poverty. Once a person lets go of materialistic greed, simple things in nature like shade, wind, water, and genuine human affection offer absolute joy and peace.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Anaphora (Repetition of refrains)

Kuliru pazhagi pogum

The repeating phrase 'pazhagi pogum' (will become familiar/accustomed) reinforces the philosophical motif of human adaptability to hardship.

Emonis / Monai (Initial Rhyme in Tamil)

Maargazhiyil kulichu paaru / Maadhavanaa vaazhndhu paaru

Matching initial sounds across lines, such as 'Maargazhiyil' and 'Maadhavanaa', generating lyrical flow.

Metaphor

Podhumennum manasa pola Selvam illa

Comparing a contented mind ('podhumennum manasu') to the greatest form of wealth ('selvam').

Did you know?

Trivia

'Onbadhu Roobai Nottu' (2007) was directed by Thankar Bachan, based on his own novel of the same name. The song features music composed by Bharathwaj and captures the core emotional journey of the protagonist Madhava Padayachi.

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