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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Meendum Pallikku

From Pallikoodam · 2007

Lyricist
Snehan
Singers
Bharathwaj, Chorus
Music director
Bharathwaj
Details
Pallikoodam2007

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Meendum pallikku pogalaamLet us go back to school again
Nammai naam angae thaedalaamLet us search for ourselves there
Chorus
Neeraarum kadaluduthaClad in the water-filled ocean
Nilamanthai kezhilozhugumOn the graceful face of the earth goddess
Seeraarum vadhanamenaLike a glorious face
Thigazhbaratha kandamithilOn this shining continent of Bharatam
Male
Meendum pallikku pogalaamLet us go back to school again
Nammai naam angae thaedalaamLet us search for ourselves there
Slateu kuchi kadan vaangalamLet us borrow a piece of slate pencil
Slate-il per ezhuthi paarkalamLet us write our name on the slate and look at it
Kottu vecha vaathiyaraiThe teacher who tapped our heads in discipline
Thottu vanangalamLet us touch his feet and pay respect
Mutti pottu ninna idathaiThe place where we knelt in punishment
Mutham kodukalaamLet us place a kiss on it
Pallikoodathil sonna paadathilThrough the lessons taught in school
Indha ulagathai naam arinthomWe came to understand this world
Annai madi ena nammai thaangiyaThe school that supported us like a mother's lap
Intha palliyai yen maranthom…Why did we forget this school...
Male
Meendum pallikku pogalaamLet us go back to school again
Nammai naam angae thaedalaamLet us search for ourselves there
Male
Uyirum udalum karuvaraikullaeLife and body inside the womb
UrpathiyaagirathuAre being created
Uravu natpu kaadhalai palliRelationships, friendship, and love, the school
Solli tharugirathuTeaches them to us
Male
Uyirum udalum karuvaraikullaeLife and body inside the womb
UrpathiyaagirathuAre being created
Uravu natpu kaadhalai palliRelationships, friendship, and love, the school
Solli tharugirathuTeaches them to us
Male
Thalaikku melae valarnthaal koodaEven if you grow higher than your head
Thaaikku nee pillai thaanTo your mother, you are still a child
Ethanai periya manithan aanalumNo matter how big a man you become
Pallikku nee maanavan thaanTo the school, you are still a student
Unnai sumantha pallikkoodamThe school that carried you
Ketpaaratru kidakirathaeLies neglected without anyone asking
Unthan varavai edhir paarthuAwaiting your return
Oorukkul thaniyaai nirkkirathaeIt stands alone in the village
Male
Meendum pallikku pogalaamLet us go back to school again
Nammai naam angae thaedalaamLet us search for ourselves there
Male
Othaamal oru naalum irukka vendamDo not go a single day without learning
Chorus :Othaamal oru naalum irukka vendamChorus: Do not go a single day without learning
Male :Oruvaraiyum pollangu solla vendamMale: Do not speak ill of anyone
Chorus :Oruvaraiyum pollangu solla vendamChorus: Do not speak ill of anyone
Male :Maadhavai oru naalum marakka vendamMale: Never forget your mother
Chorus :Maadhavai oru naalum marakka vendamChorus: Never forget your mother
Male :Vanjanaigal seivaarodu inanga vendaamMale: Do not associate with deceitful people
Chorus :Vanjanaigal seivaarodu inanga vendaamChorus: Do not associate with deceitful people
Male
Padithavan ellam palliyai maranthuEvery educated person forgot the school
Enthira vaazhvil tholainthu vittaanAnd got lost in a mechanical life
Padikathavan thaan palliyai paarthuOnly the uneducated person looks at the school
Yekkathodu thavikindraanAnd suffers with deep longing
Male
Pathu maatham sumantha thaaikkaeFor the mother who carried us for ten months
Panividaigal seigindromWe offer our service and care
Pathu varudam sumantha pallikkuFor the school that harbored us for ten years
Enna seiya ninaikindromWhat do we ever think to do?
Male
Irukkum kovilgal pothathendruThinking existing temples are not enough
Pudhithaai kovilgal kattukindromWe build brand new temples
Palligal ellam kovilgal enbathaiThat all schools are sacred temples
Yeno naamum marakkindromWhy do we somehow forget?
Male
Meendum pallikku pogalaamLet us go back to school again
Nammai naam angae thaedalaamLet us search for ourselves there
Chorus :Haa…aaa…aaa…aaa…Chorus: Haa...aaa...aaa...aaa...
Haa…..aaa…..aaa…..aaa…..Haa...aaa...aaa...aaa...
Chorus
Meendum pallikku pogalaamLet us go back to school again
Meendum pallikku pogalaamLet us go back to school again
Meendum pallikku pogalaamLet us go back to school again
Chorus :Haa…aaa…aaa…aaa…Chorus: Haa...aaa...aaa...aaa...
Haa…..aaa…..aaa…..aaa…..Haa...aaa...aaa...aaa...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Meendum Pallikku Pogalaam' from the movie 'Pallikoodam' (2007) is a deeply nostalgic and evocative anthem reflecting on childhood, education, and gratitude toward one's alma mater. Written by lyricist Snehan, the song urges adults to pause their busy, mechanical lives and return to the primary school where their identity, ethics, and relationships were first forged.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

Annai madi ena nammai thaangiya

Comparing the school to a mother's lap ('Annai madi') and a temple ('Palligal ellam kovilgal'), highlighting its sacred and nurturing role.

Contrast / Antithesis (Muran)

Pathu maatham sumantha thaaikkae ... Pathu varudam sumantha pallikku

Contrasting the mother's 10-month womb carrying with the school's 10-year nurture, contrasting the educated who forget school with the uneducated who long for it.

Initial Rhyme (Monai)

Mutti pottu ninna idathai / Mutham kodukalaam

Repetition of initial consonant sounds across adjacent words, such as 'Slateu' and 'Slate-il' or 'Mutti' and 'Mutham'.

Alliteration & Moral Citation (Aathichudi Allusion)

Othaamal oru naalum irukka vendam

Direct incorporation of classical didactic literature lines (Avvaiyar's Kondrai Venthan / Aathichudi style moral maxims).

Did you know?

Trivia

The movie 'Pallikoodam' directed by Thangar Bachan is centered entirely around nostalgia and the reunion of former schoolmates coming together to renovate their dilapidated village school. The soundtrack was composed by Vidyasagar, with vocals led by Madhu Balakrishnan and others.

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