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Perum Pugazhum album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Nalla Paerodu

From Perum Pugazhum · 1976

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Perum Pugazhum
Movie release year
1976
Lyrics added on
4 Jan 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Nalla paerodu
Pugazh petra perumai
Veerap pennaaga
Aval vaazhndha magimai
Indru ninaithaalum
Azhiyaadha pudhumai
Aval nilaiyaana varalaatru penmai
Nalla paerodu
Pugazh petra perumai
Veerap pennaaga
Aval vaazhndha magimai
Indru ninaithaalum
Azhiyaadha pudhumai
Aval nilaiyaana varalaatru penmai
Andha jhansi rani
Perum saenai kondaal
Poril thaanae sendraal
Padai thannai vendraal
Vettum vaalodu vilaiyaadalaam
Vaelum villaenthi nadamaadalaam
Dharmam pennukku porallavae
Thaaimai panpaadu adhuvallavae
Andha vaasuki pol konda naayaganai
Andha vaasuki pol konda naayaganai
Thottu vanankaadha pen endrum pen allavae
Thottu vanankaadha pen endrum pen allavae
Nalla paerodu
Pugazh petra perumai
Veerap pennaaga
Aval vaazhndha magimai
Indru ninaithaalum
Azhiyaadha pudhumai
Aval nilaiyaana varalaatru penmai
Penmai vilaiyaadum bommai alla
Pillai perugindra silaiyum alla
Nam annai idhu pola
Ninaiththaal illai
Andha panpaadu namakkaen illai
Andru jhaansiyilae
Vandha raaniyaip pol
Andru jhaansiyilae
Vandha raaniyaip pol
Pugazh kaanaadha pen endrum pen allavae
Thottil thaalaattu pugazh illaiyo
Tholil poo maalai pugazh illaiyo
Thalaiyil pennukku malar illaiyoo
Aval thaanum paer vaanga manamillaiyo
Naanum paer vaanga manamillaiyoo
Andha vaasuki pol konda naayaganai
Thottu vanangaadha penn endrum penn allavae
Thottu vanangaadha penn endrum penn allavae
Nalla paerodu
Pugazh petra perumai
Veerap pennaaga
Aval vaazhndha magimai
Indru ninaithaalum
Azhiyaadha pudhumai
Aval nilaiyaana varalaatru penmai
With a good name
and the honor of great fame,
as a brave woman,
the glory of how she lived!
Even when remembered today,
it remains an undying marvel;
she is a woman etched forever in history.
With a good name
and the honor of great fame,
as a brave woman,
the glory of how she lived!
Even when remembered today,
it remains an undying marvel;
she is a woman etched forever in history.
That Rani of Jhansi
commanded a mighty army,
marched into battle herself,
and defeated the enemy forces!
One can play with a slashing sword,
one can march wielding a spear and a bow,
but is waging war a woman's true duty?
Isn't motherhood her real culture and pride?
Like Vasuki (the ideal devoted wife), before the husband she wed,
like Vasuki (the ideal devoted wife), before the husband she wed,
a woman who does not bow in devotion is no true woman!
A woman who does not bow in devotion is no true woman!
With a good name
and the honor of great fame,
as a brave woman,
the glory of how she lived!
Even when remembered today,
it remains an undying marvel;
she is a woman etched forever in history.
A woman is not a toy to play with,
nor a statue meant only for bearing children!
Our motherland in the past
never thought in such narrow ways;
why then don't we carry forward that same spirit?
Back then, in Jhansi,
like the queen who arose,
back then, in Jhansi,
like the queen who arose,
a woman who has not achieved fame is no true woman!
Isn't a lullaby by the cradle a glory?
Isn't a flower garland on the shoulder a glory?
Doesn't a woman wear flowers in her hair?
Doesn't she also desire to earn a great name?
Don't I too desire to earn a great name?
Like Vasuki (the ideal devoted wife), before the husband she wed,
a woman who does not bow in devotion is no true woman!
A woman who does not bow in devotion is no true woman!
With a good name
and the honor of great fame,
as a brave woman,
the glory of how she lived!
Even when remembered today,
it remains an undying marvel;
she is a woman etched forever in history...
Female
Female
Female
Male
Male
Female
Male
Female
Male
Female
Male
Female
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song serves as a powerful tribute to the ideal qualities and historic greatness of Indian womanhood, penned by the renowned lyricist Kannadasan. It contrasts and synthesizes two iconic female figures: Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi, who represents martial courage, leadership, and heroism, and Vasuki (the legendary wife of Thiruvalluvar), who represents domestic virtue, maternal warmth, and moral rectitude. The lyrics assert that womanhood is neither an object of amusement nor a mere vessel for childbearing. Instead, women hold the innate strength to conquer battlefields as well as nurture families, establishing that true glory lies in living courageously, preserving cultural virtues, and earning lasting fame in whatever path a woman walks.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Historical and Cultural Allusion

“Andha jhansi rani”

Refers to Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi (representing valour) and Vasuki (representing devotion and family ideal) to illustrate exemplary qualities of women.

Metaphor

“Penmai vilaiyaadum bommai alla”

Compares womanhood negatively to a plaything or a stone statue, emphasizing that female existence is active, purposeful, and dignified.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

“Thottil thaalaattu pugazh illaiyo”

Rhyming line endings featuring similar phonetics like 'illaiyo' to create rhythmic melodic flow.

Moonaai (Initial Alliteration)

“Vettum vaalodu vilaiyaadalaam”

Repetition of initial consonants/vowels (Vettum / Vaelum) across lines to enhance poetic cadence.

Did you know?

Trivia

Kannadasan frequently invoked classical Tamil moral archetypes alongside freedom fighters in film songs. By referencing both Vasuki (associated with Thiruvalluvar) and Rani Lakshmibai, he blended regional Tamil literary heritage with national historical pride to define the multifaceted empowerment of women.

Keep listening

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Enga Veettu PillaiDignityCourage
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Irumbu PookkalDefiantResilience
Achchamillai Achchamillai1982
Ezhavathu ManithanDignityCourage
Ninaithaal Sirippuvarum1967
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