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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Odi Vilaiyadu Pappa

From Kappalotiya Tamizhan · 1961

Lyricist
Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyaar
Singers
Seerkazhi Govindarajan, K. Jamunarani
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Details
Kappalotiya Tamizhan1961

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Odi vilayaadu paappaRun around and play, little child
Odi vilayaadu paappaRun around and play, little child
Nee oindhirukka laagaadhu paappaYou must not remain idle, little child
Odi vilayaadu paappaRun around and play, little child
Koodi vilayaadu paappaPlay together with others, little child
Koodi vilayaadu paappaPlay together with others, little child
Oru kuzhandhaiyai vaiyaadhe paappaNever scold or abuse another child, little child
Odi vilayaadu paappaRun around and play, little child
Male
Paalai pozhindhu tharum paappaGiving us rich milk, little child
Andha pasu miga nalladhadi paappaThat cow is very good, little child
Paalai pozhindhu tharum paappaGiving us rich milk, little child
Andha pasu miga nalladhadi paappaThat cow is very good, little child
Male
Vaalai kuzhaithu varum naaidhaanWagging its tail as it approaches, the dog
Vaalai kuzhaithu varum naaidhaanWagging its tail as it approaches, the dog
Adhu manidharku thozhanadi paappaIt is a true friend to humans, little child
Adhu manidharku thozhanadi paappaIt is a true friend to humans, little child
Male
Poi solla koodaadhu paappaYou must not tell lies, little child
Endrum puram sollalaagaadhu paappaYou should never speak ill behind someone's back, little child
Poi solla koodaadhu paappaYou must not tell lies, little child
Endrum puram sollalaagaadhu paappaYou should never speak ill behind someone's back, little child
Dheivam namaku thunai paappaGod is our support and protector, little child
Dheivam namaku thunai paappaGod is our support and protector, little child
Oru theengu vara maataadhu paappaNo harm will ever come to you, little child
Odi vilayaadu paappaRun around and play, little child
Male
Kaalai ezhundhavudan padippuStudy as soon as you wake up in the morning
Pinbu kanivu kodukum nalla paatuFollowed by melodious songs that bring sweetness
Maalai muzhudhum vilaiyaatuSpend the entire evening in play
Endru pazhaka padithi kollu paappaMake this daily routine a habit, little child
Kaalai ezhundhavudan padippuStudy as soon as you wake up in the morning
Female
Atcham thavir aanmai thavarelBanish fear, do not lose courage
Elaithal egazhchi eegai thiranDo not despise the weak, cultivate generosity
Male :Pinbu kanivu kodukum nalla paatu..Male: Followed by melodious songs that bring sweetness..
Female
Muruga muruga murugaMuruga, Muruga, Muruga
Varuvaai mayil meedhinileCome riding upon your peacock
Vadiveludane varuvaaiCome with your sharp divine spear
Male :Tharuvaai nalamum thagamum pugazhumMale: Bestow upon us well-being, passion for truth, and fame
Thavamum thiramum dhanamum ganamumPenance, skill, wealth, and honor
All :Muruga muruga murugaAll: Muruga, Muruga, Muruga
Muruga muruga murugaMuruga, Muruga, Muruga
Muruga muruga murugaMuruga, Muruga, Muruga
Male
Jaadhigal illaiyadi paappaThere are no castes, little child
Jaadhigal illaiyadi paappaThere are no castes, little child
Kula thaazhchi uyarchiHigh or low status by birth
Sollal paavam paappaSpeaking of such divisions is a sin, little child
Jaadhigal illaiyadi paappaThere are no castes, little child
Needhi uyarndha madhi kalviJustice, superior intellect, and education
Needhi uyarndha madhi kalviJustice, superior intellect, and education
Anbu niraiya udaiyavargal maelor paappaThose who are filled with love are the superior ones, little child
Male
Odi vilayaadu paappaRun around and play, little child
Nee oindhirukka laagaadhu paappa…aaa..aaYou must not remain idle, little child...
Odi vilayaadu paappaRun around and play, little child
Koodi vilayaadu paappaPlay together with others, little child
Oru kuzhandhaiyai vaiyaadhe paappaNever scold or abuse another child, little child
Males :Odi vilayaadu paappaMales: Run around and play, little child
Hahahahaha…..Hahahahaha...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Odi Vilaiyaadu Paappa' is a celebrated children's song composed by the revolutionary poet Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyar, featured in the 1961 movie 'Kappalottiya Thamizhan'. The lyrics serve as a wholesome set of moral guidelines and daily habits for children, encouraging active play, unity, truthfulness, kindness to animals, and regular study balanced with recreation.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Odi vilayaadu paappa / Nee oindhirukka laagaadhu paappa

The initial vowel sound 'O' is matched across lines to create rhythmic harmony.

Adukkuthodar (Repetition)

Muruga muruga muruga

Repeated invocation of the deity Murugan to create emphasis and musical cadence.

Moral Didacticism

Jaadhigal illaiyadi paappa... Kula thaazhchi uyarchi sollal paavam paappa

Bharathiyar uses simple poetic lines to teach progressive social values like anti-casteism and human equality directly to children.

Did you know?

Trivia

This iconic song features lyrics written by Mahakavi Subramanya Bharathiyar and set to music by legendary composer G. Ramanathan. 'Kappalottiya Thamizhan' is a biographical film about freedom fighter V. O. Chidambaram Pillai, starring Sivaji Ganesan.

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