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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Paadatha Kuyilaanen

From Illarame Nallaram · 1958

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
K. G. Moorthy
Details
Illarame Nallaram1958

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Paadatha kuyil aanenI became a cuckoo that cannot sing
Padham paeyarndhenI lost my footing
Aadaatha mayil aanenI became a peacock that cannot dance
Oru paavam ariyaadha naanae aa..aa…I, who knew no sin, ah...
Female
Haa…aaa…Haa... aaa...
Paadidavaa naan aadidavaaShall I sing, or shall I dance?
Solaiyai puyalum meendathaeA storm struck the garden once again
Adhu paalaiyai polae kaaindhadhaiAs it withered away like a desert
Solliyum naanae soga geethamEven as I sing a song of sorrow
Paadidavaa naan aadidavaaShall I sing, or shall I dance?
Female
Kaalamellaam veenae kanneeraalAll through time, in vain with tears
Kaalamellaam veenae kanneeraalAll through time, in vain with tears
Paalaiyaai nindrenae kannaalaI stood like a desert, my beloved
Paalaiyaai nindrenae kannaalaI stood like a desert, my beloved
Paadidavaa naan aadidavaaShall I sing, or shall I dance?
Female
Soozhndhidum megam kalaindhadhanaalaeBecause the surrounding dark clouds dispersed
Thondrum nilaa oli polae..aa.aa..aaLike the emerging light of the moon.. ah..
Soozhndhidum megam kalaindhadhanaalaeBecause the surrounding dark clouds dispersed
Thondrum nilaa oli polae..Like the emerging light of the moon..
Thuyar enum irul neengiyae en vaazhvilAs the darkness of sorrow vanishes from my life
Sugam peruven endru naan anbaalae..I will find happiness through love..
Female
Paadidavaa naan aadidavaaShall I sing, or shall I dance?
Solaiyai puyalum meendathaeA storm struck the garden once again
Adhu paalaiyai polae kaaindhadhaiAs it withered away like a desert
Solliyum naanae soga geethamEven as I sing a song of sorrow
Paadidavaa naan aadidavaaShall I sing, or shall I dance?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song expresses the deep pain and emotional turmoil of a woman whose joyful life has been ruined by an unexpected crisis, leaving her like a storm-ravaged garden turned into a desert. Stripped of her natural joy, she compares herself to a songless cuckoo and a danceless peacock, questioning whether she should sing or dance while pouring out her tragic state in a song of grief. Despite her prolonged suffering, she finds a ray of hope as the dark clouds begin to disperse, trusting that love will clear away the darkness of sorrow and bring moonlight-like joy back into her life.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Urvagam)

Paadatha kuyil aanen... Aadaatha mayil aanen

Compares her joyless state to a cuckoo that cannot sing and a peacock that cannot dance.

Simile (Uvamai)

Adhu paalaiyai polae kaaindhadhai

Compares the dried-up garden of her life to a desert using the simile marker 'polae'.

Metaphor (Urvagam)

Thuyar enum irul neengiyae en vaazhvil

Equates sorrow directly to darkness ('Thuyar enum irul').

Simile (Uvamai)

Soozhndhidum megam kalaindhadhanaalae / Thondrum nilaa oli polae

Compares the dispersal of sorrow to the clearing of clouds revealing moonlight.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Illarame Nallaram' (1958) was directed by P. Pullaiah and starred Gemini Ganesan and Anjali Devi. The song features lyrics written by A. Maruthakasi set to music composed by K. G. Moorthy, poignantly delivered by singer P. Susheela.

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