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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Paadi Thirintha

From Kakkai Siraginilae · 2000

Lyricist
R. V. Udhaya Kumar
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Kakkai Siraginilae2000

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Oo…oo…oo…hoo…oo..Oo…oo…oo…hoo…oo..
Oo…oo…oo…hoo…oo..Oo…oo…oo…hoo…oo..
Male
Paadi thirindha endhan thozhiMy female friend who wandered singing,
Ooo… paadum kuyilukkenna vaeliOo... what fence can restrict a singing cuckoo?
Paadi thirindha endhan thozhiMy female friend who wandered singing,
Ooo.. paadum kuyilukkenna vaeliOo... what fence can restrict a singing cuckoo?
Male
Kadhai pesum oorukkullaeIn a town full of gossiping townspeople,
Vidukadhaiyaai nindraayaaDid you end up standing like a riddle?
Uravondrai thavaraai pesumThey misinterpret a relationship incorrectly,
Parithaabam kandaayaaDid you feel pity for their ignorance?
Kannae maniyae varundhaadhaeMy precious darling, do not grieve.
Male
Paadi thirindha endhan thozhiMy female friend who wandered singing,
Ooo… paadum kuyilukkenna vaeliOo... what fence can restrict a singing cuckoo?
Male
Andha vaan nilavilEven in that sky's moon,
Oru kalangam solvaarThey will point out a flaw.
Kutram ulla kannilTo eyes filled with fault-finding,
Kuraiyaai theriyumEverything appears defective.
Male
Edhir kaatrinilaeAgainst the oncoming wind,
Mannai thootri chelvaarThey throw dust as they walk.
Thootrubavar melaeUpon those who slander,
Karai thaan padiyumThe stain itself will cling.
Male
Kanneer aatril neendhumSwimming in a river of tears,
Meenae meenaeO my little fish, my little fish,
Unmai chonnaal adhu veenae veenaeIf you speak the truth, it falls on deaf ears.
En jenmamae unakkaaga thaanMy whole life is meant for you,
Varum jenmangal unnodu thaanAnd my future births will be with you.
Male
Paadi thirindha endhan thozhiMy female friend who wandered singing,
Ooo… paadum kuyilukkenna vaeliOo... what fence can restrict a singing cuckoo?
Male
Edhir kaalam unduThere is a bright future ahead,
Nalla vaazhvum unduThere is a good life awaiting,
Minnum undhan kangalYour sparkling eyes,
Solludhae kanmaniAre telling me this, my precious one.
Male
Pazhi paavathukkuFor blame and sin,
Oru theerppum unduThere is ultimate justice.
Dharma dhevan sonnaanThe God of Righteousness whispered this,
Kaadhilae kanmaniInto my ears, my darling.
Male
Thootrum oorae unnaiThe town that slanders you now,
Potrum potrumWill praise you and honor you.
Anbae anbin vilakketrum yettrumLove will kindle the lamp of love.
Varum naalellaam thirunaalammaaAll coming days will be festive days, my dear.
Ini boopaalam nee thaanammaaFrom now on, you are the morning raga of hope.
Male
Paadi thirindha endhan thozhiMy female friend who wandered singing,
Ooo… paadum kuyilukkenna vaeliOo... what fence can restrict a singing cuckoo?
Kadhai pesum oorukkullaeIn a town full of gossiping townspeople,
Vidukadhaiyaai nindraayaaDid you end up standing like a riddle?
Uravondrai thavaraai pesumThey misinterpret a relationship incorrectly,
Parithaabam kandaayaaDid you feel pity for their ignorance?
Kannae maniyae varundhaadhaeMy precious darling, do not grieve.
Male
Paadi thirindha endhan thozhiMy female friend who wandered singing,
Ooo… paadum kuyilukkenna vaeliOo... what fence can restrict a singing cuckoo?
Mmm…mm….mm…mm….Mmm…mm….mm…mm….
Male
Paadi thirindha endhan thozhiMy female friend who wandered singing,
Ooo… paadum kuyilukkenna vaeliOo... what fence can restrict a singing cuckoo?
Paadi thirindha endhan thozhiMy female friend who wandered singing.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a comforting and encouraging ballad addressed to a young woman who has become the victim of societal gossip and slander. The narrator reassures her that spirit and truth cannot be caged by small-minded villagers, comparing her free nature to a singing cuckoo that knows no boundaries. The lyrics offer solace, emphasizing that judgmental people always find flaws even in the glowing moon, and that throwing dust into the wind only stains the thrower.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Ooo… paadum kuyilukkenna vaeli

Compares the free-spirited heroine to a 'singing cuckoo' (paadum kuyil) and a 'fish swimming in tears' (kanneer aatril neendhum meen) to highlight her vulnerability and purity.

Rhyme / Monai (Initial Assonance)

Thootrum oorae unnai / Potrum potrum

Matching initial consonant sounds in consecutive lines like 'Thootrum' and 'Potrum' creating a natural rhythmic cadence.

Rhetorical Question

Ooo… paadum kuyilukkenna vaeli

Asking 'what fence can restrict a singing cuckoo?' emphasizes that freedom of expression and virtue cannot be contained by slander.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song 'Paadi Thirindha Endhan Thozhi' comes from the movie Kakkai Siraginilae (2000), directed by P. Vasu starring Parthiban and Suvaluxmi. The music for the film was composed by Ilaiyaraaja, with deeply moving lyrical contributions from lyricists including R.V. Udhaya Kumar.

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