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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Oru Panbadu

From Raja Chinna Roja · 1989

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
K. J. Yesudas, Chorus
Music director
Chandrabose
Details
Raja Chinna Roja1989

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Thana…thanaenae…Thana…thanaenae…
Nanananae thaana nannan naaNanananae thaana nannan naa
Thana…thanaenae…Thana…thanaenae…
Nanananae thaana nannan naaNanananae thaana nannan naa
Chorus
Thakathik thaka ginThakathik thaka gin
Thakathik thaka ginThakathik thaka gin
Thakathik thaka ginThakathik thaka gin
Thatha tharigida thomThatha tharigida thom
Male
Oru panpaadu illaiyendraalIf there is no culture, India does not exist
Bhaaratham illaiIndia does not exist
Nam panbodu vaazhdhirundhaalIf we live with virtuous character
Paavamum illaiThere is no sin at all
Siragillaamal thalladum chella kiligalBeloved little parrots faltering without wings
En kannoram ippodhu kanneer thuligalTears are in the corners of my eyes now
Male
Oru panpaadu illaiyendraalIf there is no culture
Bhaaratham illaiIndia does not exist
Nam panbodu vaazhdhirundhaalIf we live with virtuous character
Paavamum illaiThere is no sin at all
Chorus
Hoo hoo hoo hoo…..(2)Hoo hoo hoo hoo…..(2)
Male
Valarndhu vaaraadha pirai illaiThere is no crescent moon that does not grow
Vadindhu vidaadha nurai illaiThere is no foam that does not subside
Thirumbi vaaraadha pagal illai…There is no day that does not return...
Thirundhividaadha manam illaiThere is no mind that cannot reform
Male
Oru naal suvaippomThinking that 'we will indulge one day'
Endru ninaithaalIf you think that way
Oru naal suvaippomThinking that 'we will indulge one day'
Endru ninaithaalIf you think that way
Uyirai suvaikkum poi illaiIt is no lie that it will consume your life
Idhai inbam enbadhu izhukkaagumCalling this pleasure is a disgrace
Nee kulithaal gangai azhukkaagumIf you bathe in it, even the Ganges will get polluted
Male
Oru panpaadu illaiyendraalIf there is no culture
Bhaaratham illaiIndia does not exist
Nam panbodu vaazhdhirundhaalIf we live with virtuous character
Paavamum illaiThere is no sin at all
Chorus
Hoo hooHoo hoo
Chorus :Thakathik thaka ginChorus : Thakathik thaka gin
Thakathik thaka ginThakathik thaka gin
Thakathik thaka ginThakathik thaka gin
Thakathik thaka ginThakathik thaka gin
Laa…laaa…laaa..laaa….Laa…laaa…laaa..laaa….
Male
Mayakkam enbadhu maathiraiyaaIs stupor/addiction just a pill?
Maranam pogum yaathiraiyaaIs it a journey towards death?
Vilakku irundhum iruttaraiyaaIs it a dark room despite having a lamp?
Vidindha pinnum nithiraiyaaIs it sleeping even after dawn?
Male
Varambu kadandhuCrossing the boundaries
Narambu thalarndhuWeakening your nerves
Varambu kadandhuCrossing the boundaries
Narambu thalarndhuWeakening your nerves
Vayadhai tholaithu vaazhuvadhaaWill you live by wasting your youth?
Indha ulagam unnai azhaikkiradhuThis world is calling out to you
Ada innum vaazhkkai irukkiradhuHey, there is still life ahead!
Male
Oru panpaadu illaiyendraalIf there is no culture
Bhaaratham illaiIndia does not exist
Nam panbodu vaazhdhirundhaalIf we live with virtuous character
Paavamum illaiThere is no sin at all
Siragillaamal thalladum chella kiligalBeloved little parrots faltering without wings
En kannoram ippodhu kanneer thuligalTears are in the corners of my eyes now
Male
Oru panpaadu illaiyendraalIf there is no culture
Bhaaratham illaiIndia does not exist
Nam panbodu vaazhdhirundhaalIf we live with virtuous character
Paavamum illaiThere is no sin at all

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This uplifting and reformative song emphasizes the core values of culture, morality, and self-discipline in human life. The protagonist addresses a group of troubled youths, metaphorically calling them wingless parrots, and laments seeing them stray down destructive paths of addiction and hedonism. He warns them that transient pleasures and bad habits lead to moral degradation and waste away one's youth.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Siragillaamal thalladum chella kiligal

Compares directionless, vulnerable children/youth to 'pet parrots stumbling without wings'.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Valarndhu vaaraadha pirai illai / Vadindhu vidaadha nurai illai / Thirumbi vaaraadha pagal illai / Thirundhividaadha manam illai

The repetitive ending word 'illai' creates a poetic rhyming flow emphasizing hope and the certainty of reformation.

Muran (Antithesis / Contrast)

Vilakku irundhum iruttaraiyaa / Vidindha pinnum nithiraiyaa

Contrasts the presence of light with darkness (lamp/dark room) and dawn with sleep to highlight moral ignorance and wasted potential.

Hyperbole

Nee kulithaal gangai azhukkaagum

An intentional exaggeration stating that immoral actions are so toxic that even the sacred Ganges would become polluted.

Did you know?

Trivia

Raja Chinna Roja (1989) is historic in Indian cinema as the first Indian film to blend live-action with 2D animation. Composed by Chandrabose and sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam with lyrics by Vairamuthu, this song acts as a moral compass within the movie, where Rajinikanth's character mentors a family of spoilt young adults back to a disciplined and meaningful life.

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