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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Madhavaram

From Kuttrapathirikai · 2007

Lyricist
Kanmani Subbu
Singer
Swarnalatha
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Kuttrapathirikai2007

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Maadhavaram poyi varalaamaaShall we visit Madhavaram and return?
Angae malliga poo naam parikkalaamaaShall we pick jasmine flowers there?
Daavadikkum paera paarkkalaamaaShall we check out the people flitting/flirting around?
Avanga kaadhula poo vachu vidalaamaaShall we fool them by putting flowers behind their ears?
Chorus
Paadam kettaalum kottai vittaalumWhether we listen to lessons or lose our grip,
Sallaabam ullaasam thaanIt is all joy and merriment!
Madam endraalum maanae endraalumWhether addressing as 'Madam' or 'My gentle deer',
Mariyaadhai sandhosham thaanIt brings respect and happiness!
Chorus
Maadhavaram poyi varalaamaaShall we visit Madhavaram and return?
Angae malliga poo naam parikkalaamaaShall we pick jasmine flowers there?
Daavadikkum paera paarkkalaamaaShall we check out the people flitting/flirting around?
Avanga kaadhula poo vachu vidalaamaaShall we fool them by putting flowers behind their ears?
Female
Nair kada tea kudichuDrinking tea at the Nair shop,
Theru vilakkil nee padichaeYou studied under the street light,
Ivan drawyerilae olichu vechuWhile this guy hid notes in his drawers,
Paritchaiyilae bit adichaanAnd cheated in the examination!
Female
Meesa ullavan rosham ullavan padichiduvaanOne with self-respect and courage will study well,
Aasai vekkira vaazhkkaiya thaan adanjiduvaanAnd attain the life he desires,
Fees kattura parents thaan madhichiduvaanHe will respect parents who pay his fees,
Pass pannura vaegam ullavan pozhachiduvaanAnd the driven one who passes will survive and thrive!
Chorus
Jolly pannum nokkatthula siruLook, with the intention of having fun,
Collegelae saendhirukkaar paaruHe has joined a college,
Saelaiyida mogam ulla aaluA guy infatuated with sarees/women,
Saevai seiya kaathirukkaar kooruTell me, is he waiting to render service?
Female
Vaathu muttaiyum vaetti kattudhuEven a duck egg is wearing a dhoti,
Paathukkittadhum kotta kattudhuUpon seeing, it builds a fort,
Maattikkittadhum vaerthu kottudhu doiOnce caught, it breaks out in a sweat, oh dear!
Chorus
Maadhavaram poyi varalaamaaShall we visit Madhavaram and return?
Angae malliga poo naam parikkalaamaaShall we pick jasmine flowers there?
Daavadikkum paera paarkkalaamaaShall we check out the people flitting/flirting around?
Avanga kaadhula poo vachu vidalaamaaShall we fool them by putting flowers behind their ears?
Female
Vaazhkkaiyilae paadam varumLessons will come in life,
Varusham ellaam kaelvi varumQuestions will arise every year,
Naam padichu theerum munnaeBefore we finish studying them all,
Naayaganin olai varumThe Almighty's summons will arrive!
Female
Maths enbadhum science enbadhum uMathematics and Science are both just,
Uavugam thaanPure world of imagination!
Naetrum enbadhu indru namakku history thaanYesterday is history for us today,
Notes um illae guide um illae padichida thaanThere are neither notes nor guides to study from,
Nogaamalae thaervugalil jeyichida thaanTo effortlessly win in the exams!
Chorus
College kku leave vidalaamaaShould we give a holiday to college?
Illa kattaayamaa therandhu vekkalaamaaOr should we keep it open compulsively?
Knowledge thaan thaedi chellalaamaaShall we go in search of knowledge?
Illa naalu paera sight adikkalaamaaOr shall we check out a few people?
Female
Nokkam ippadi paadam appadiIf the objective is like this, the lesson is like that,
Pokku eppadi mark appadiAs the approach goes, so goes the marks,
Paarvai eppadi pattamum appadiyaeAs the outlook is, so is the degree obtained!
Female
Maadhavaram poyi varalaamaaShall we visit Madhavaram and return?
Angae malliga poo naam parikkalaamaaShall we pick jasmine flowers there?
Daavadikkum paera paarkkalaamaaShall we check out the people flitting/flirting around?
Avanga kaadhula poo vachu vidalaamaaShall we fool them by putting flowers behind their ears?
Chorus
Paadam kettaalum kottai vittaalumWhether we listen to lessons or lose our grip,
Sallaabam ullaasam thaanIt is all joy and merriment!
Madam endraalum maanae endraalumWhether addressing as 'Madam' or 'My gentle deer',
Mariyaadhai sandhosham thaanIt brings respect and happiness!
Chorus
Maadhavaram poyi varalaamaaShall we visit Madhavaram and return?
Angae malliga poo naam parikkalaamaaShall we pick jasmine flowers there?
Daavadikkum paera paarkkalaamaaShall we check out the people flitting/flirting around?
Avanga kaadhula poo vachu vidalaamaaShall we fool them by putting flowers behind their ears?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This lighthearted and satirical collegiate song captures the casual attitude, antics, and dilemmas of college students. The lyrics blend youth slang with playful banter about skipping classes, flirting, cheating in exams, and juggling fun with the harsh realities of academic responsibilities. It contrasts diligent students with slackers while humorously questioning the purpose of formal education versus life experiences.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)

Maadhavaram poyi varalaamaa / Daavadikkum paera paarkkalaamaa

Matching second consonants across lines, such as 'Maadhavaram' and 'Daavadikkum' or 'Paadam' and 'Madam'.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Maadhavaram poyi varalaamaa / Angae malliga poo naam parikkalaamaa

Repetition of the line ending sound '-laamaa' across multiple interrogative refrain lines.

Metaphor / Idiom

Avanga kaadhula poo vachu vidalaamaa

'Kaadhula poo vachufying' is a famous Tamil idiom meaning to fool or dupe someone.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Kuttrapathirikai', directed by R. K. Selvamani, was completed in the early 1990s but faced severe censorship delays due to its plot revolving around the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi. It was finally released in 2007 after prolonged legal battles.

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