Paal Paal
From Mahalakshmi · 1960
- Lyricist
- A. Maruthakasi
- Singer
- K. Jamunarani
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Details
- Mahalakshmi1960
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Paal paal pasumpaal | Milk, milk, fresh cow's milk |
| Paal paal pasumpaal padhamaai sudum paal | Milk, milk, fresh cow's milk, milk boiled to perfection |
| Paarthaale inikkum en kadaippaal | The milk from my shop tastes sweet just by looking at it |
| Paal paal pasumpaal padhamaai sudum paal | Milk, milk, fresh cow's milk, milk boiled to perfection |
| Paarthaale inikkum en kadaippaal | The milk from my shop tastes sweet just by looking at it |
| Female | |
| Idhamaai irukkum ippaal | This milk feels soothing and pleasant |
| Idhu theerndhaal kedaikkadhu appaal | Once this finishes, you won't get it anywhere else |
| Idhamaai irukkum ippaal | This milk feels soothing and pleasant |
| Idhu theerndhaal kedaikkadhu appaal | Once this finishes, you won't get it anywhere else |
| Oru kalapadam illadha thanipaal | A unique milk with zero adulteration |
| Oru kalapadam illadha thanipaal | A unique milk with zero adulteration |
| Mugam malarum vaanghi kudithathum sirippaal | One's face will bloom with a smile upon buying and drinking it |
| Female | |
| Paal paal pasumpaal | Milk, milk, fresh cow's milk |
| Padhamaai sudum paal | Milk boiled to perfection |
| Paal paal pasumpaal padhamaai sudum paal | Milk, milk, fresh cow's milk, milk boiled to perfection |
| Paarthaale inikkum en kadaippaal | The milk from my shop tastes sweet just by looking at it |
| Female | |
| Pudalanagaai pola irukkum | One may look thin like a snake gourd |
| Udal poosanikaai pola perukkum | But the body will expand and grow big like a pumpkin |
| Pudalanagaai pola irukkum | One may look thin like a snake gourd |
| Udal poosanikaai pola perukkum | But the body will expand and grow big like a pumpkin |
| Inga adikadi vara solli azhaikkum | It will make you want to come back here again and again |
| Inga adikadi vara solli azhaikkum | It will make you want to come back here again and again |
| Dhinam kudithaal kozhaikkum veeram porakkum | Drinking it daily dispels cowardice and spawns bravery |
| Female | |
| Paal paal pasumpaal | Milk, milk, fresh cow's milk |
| Padhamaai sudum paal | Milk boiled to perfection |
| Paal paal pasumpaal padhamaai sudum paal | Milk, milk, fresh cow's milk, milk boiled to perfection |
| Paarthaale inikkum en kadaippaal | The milk from my shop tastes sweet just by looking at it |
| Female | |
| Arivai valarppadhu muppaal | That which nurtures wisdom is the threefold text (Muppaal / Thirukkural) |
| Adhu aram porul inbamenum muppaal | That consists of Virtue, Wealth, and Love |
| Arivai valarppadhu muppaal | That which nurtures wisdom is the threefold text (Muppaal / Thirukkural) |
| Adhu aram porul inbamenum muppaal | That consists of Virtue, Wealth, and Love |
| Uyir kulathai perukkuvadhu iru paal | That which expands humankind is the two genders (Iru paal) |
| Adhu aan paal pen paal iru paal | That is the male gender and female gender |
| Kulathai perukkuvadhu iru paal | That which expands humankind is the two genders (Iru paal) |
| Adhu aan paal pen paal iru paal | That is the male gender and female gender |
| Female | |
| Irukkudhu idhu pola palappaal | There are many such categories of 'paal' |
| Avai pazham paal | Those are ancient concepts |
| En kadaippaal oruvidhapaal pudhu paal | My shop's milk is a unique, fresh kind of milk |
| Paal paal pasum paal | Milk, milk, fresh cow's milk |
| Padhamai sudum paal | Milk boiled to perfection |
| Paal paal pasumpaal padhamaai sudum paal | Milk, milk, fresh cow's milk, milk boiled to perfection |
| Paarthaale inikkum en kadaippaal | The milk from my shop tastes sweet just by looking at it |
| Paal paal pasumpaal padhamaai sudum paal | Milk, milk, fresh cow's milk, milk boiled to perfection |
| Paarthaale inikkum en kadaippaal | The milk from my shop tastes sweet just by looking at it |
பால் பால் பசும்பால்
பால் பால் பசும்பால் பதமாய்ச் சுடும் பால்
பார்த்தாலே இனிக்கும் என் கடைப்பால்
பால் பால் பசும்பால் பதமாய்ச் சுடும் பால்
பார்த்தாலே இனிக்கும் என் கடைப்பால்
Milk, milk, fresh cow's milk
Milk, milk, fresh cow's milk, milk boiled to perfection
The milk from my shop tastes sweet just by looking at it
Milk, milk, fresh cow's milk, milk boiled to perfection
The milk from my shop tastes sweet just by looking at it
இதமாய் இருக்கும் இப்பால்
இது தீர்ந்தால் கிடைக்காது அப்பால்
இதமாய் இருக்கும் இப்பால்
இது தீர்ந்தால் கிடைக்காது அப்பால்
ஒருகலப்படம் இல்லாத தனிப்பால்
ஒருகலப்படம் இல்லாத தனிப்பால்
முகம் மலரும் வாங்கிக் குடித்ததும் சிரிப்பால்..
This milk feels soothing and pleasant
Once this finishes, you won't get it anywhere else
This milk feels soothing and pleasant
Once this finishes, you won't get it anywhere else
A unique milk with zero adulteration
A unique milk with zero adulteration
One's face will bloom with a smile upon buying and drinking it
பால் பால் பசும்பால்
பதமாய்ச் சுடும் பால்
பால் பால் பசும்பால் பதமாய்ச் சுடும் பால்
பார்த்தாலே இனிக்கும் என் கடைப்பால்
Milk, milk, fresh cow's milk
Milk boiled to perfection
Milk, milk, fresh cow's milk, milk boiled to perfection
The milk from my shop tastes sweet just by looking at it
புடலங்காய் போல் இருக்கும்
உடல் பூசிணிக்காய் போல பெருக்கும்
புடலங்காய் போல் இருக்கும்
உடல் பூசிணிக்காய் போல பெருக்கும்
இங்க அடிக்கடி வர சொல்லி அழைக்கும்
இங்க அடிக்கடி வர சொல்லி அழைக்கும்
தினம் குடித்தால் கோழைக்கும் வீரம் பொறக்கும்
One may look thin like a snake gourd
But the body will expand and grow big like a pumpkin
One may look thin like a snake gourd
But the body will expand and grow big like a pumpkin
It will make you want to come back here again and again
It will make you want to come back here again and again
Drinking it daily dispels cowardice and spawns bravery
பால் பால் பசும்பால்
பதமாய்ச் சுடும் பால்
பால் பால் பசும்பால் பதமாய்ச் சுடும் பால்
பார்த்தாலே இனிக்கும் என் கடைப்பால்
Milk, milk, fresh cow's milk
Milk boiled to perfection
Milk, milk, fresh cow's milk, milk boiled to perfection
The milk from my shop tastes sweet just by looking at it
அறிவை வளர்ப்பது முப்பால்
அறம் பொருள் இன்பமெனும் முப்பால்
அறிவை வளர்ப்பது முப்பால்
அறம் பொருள் இன்பமெனும் முப்பால்
உயிர்க் குலத்தைப் பெருக்குவது இரு பால்
அது ஆண் பால் பெண் பால் இரு பால்
குலத்தைப் பெருக்குவது இரு பால்
அது ஆண் பால் பெண் பால் இரு பால்
That which nurtures wisdom is the threefold text (Muppaal / Thirukkural)
That consists of Virtue, Wealth, and Love
That which nurtures wisdom is the threefold text (Muppaal / Thirukkural)
That consists of Virtue, Wealth, and Love
That which expands humankind is the two genders (Iru paal)
That is the male gender and female gender
That which expands humankind is the two genders (Iru paal)
That is the male gender and female gender
இருக்குது இது போல் பலப்பால்
அவை பழம் பால்
என் கடைப்பால் ஒருவிதப்பால் புதுப்பால்
பால் பால் பசும்பால்
பதமாய்ச் சுடும் பால்.....
பால் பால் பசும்பால் பதமாய்ச் சுடும் பால்
பார்த்தாலே இனிக்கும் என் கடைப்பால்
பால் பால் பசும்பால் பதமாய்ச் சுடும் பால்
பார்த்தாலே இனிக்கும் என் கடைப்பால்
There are many such categories of 'paal'
Those are ancient concepts
My shop's milk is a unique, fresh kind of milk
Milk, milk, fresh cow's milk
Milk boiled to perfection
Milk, milk, fresh cow's milk, milk boiled to perfection
The milk from my shop tastes sweet just by looking at it
Milk, milk, fresh cow's milk, milk boiled to perfection
The milk from my shop tastes sweet just by looking at it
Paal paal pasumpaal
Milk, milk, fresh cow's milk
Paal paal pasumpaal padhamaai sudum paal
Milk, milk, fresh cow's milk, milk boiled to perfection
Paarthaale inikkum en kadaippaal
The milk from my shop tastes sweet just by looking at it
Paal paal pasumpaal padhamaai sudum paal
Milk, milk, fresh cow's milk, milk boiled to perfection
Paarthaale inikkum en kadaippaal
The milk from my shop tastes sweet just by looking at it
Idhamaai irukkum ippaal
This milk feels soothing and pleasant
Idhu theerndhaal kedaikkadhu appaal
Once this finishes, you won't get it anywhere else
Idhamaai irukkum ippaal
This milk feels soothing and pleasant
Idhu theerndhaal kedaikkadhu appaal
Once this finishes, you won't get it anywhere else
Oru kalapadam illadha thanipaal
A unique milk with zero adulteration
Oru kalapadam illadha thanipaal
A unique milk with zero adulteration
Mugam malarum vaanghi kudithathum sirippaal
One's face will bloom with a smile upon buying and drinking it
Paal paal pasumpaal
Milk, milk, fresh cow's milk
Padhamaai sudum paal
Milk boiled to perfection
Paal paal pasumpaal padhamaai sudum paal
Milk, milk, fresh cow's milk, milk boiled to perfection
Paarthaale inikkum en kadaippaal
The milk from my shop tastes sweet just by looking at it
Pudalanagaai pola irukkum
One may look thin like a snake gourd
Udal poosanikaai pola perukkum
But the body will expand and grow big like a pumpkin
Pudalanagaai pola irukkum
One may look thin like a snake gourd
Udal poosanikaai pola perukkum
But the body will expand and grow big like a pumpkin
Inga adikadi vara solli azhaikkum
It will make you want to come back here again and again
Inga adikadi vara solli azhaikkum
It will make you want to come back here again and again
Dhinam kudithaal kozhaikkum veeram porakkum
Drinking it daily dispels cowardice and spawns bravery
Paal paal pasumpaal
Milk, milk, fresh cow's milk
Padhamaai sudum paal
Milk boiled to perfection
Paal paal pasumpaal padhamaai sudum paal
Milk, milk, fresh cow's milk, milk boiled to perfection
Paarthaale inikkum en kadaippaal
The milk from my shop tastes sweet just by looking at it
Arivai valarppadhu muppaal
That which nurtures wisdom is the threefold text (Muppaal / Thirukkural)
Adhu aram porul inbamenum muppaal
That consists of Virtue, Wealth, and Love
Arivai valarppadhu muppaal
That which nurtures wisdom is the threefold text (Muppaal / Thirukkural)
Adhu aram porul inbamenum muppaal
That consists of Virtue, Wealth, and Love
Uyir kulathai perukkuvadhu iru paal
That which expands humankind is the two genders (Iru paal)
Adhu aan paal pen paal iru paal
That is the male gender and female gender
Kulathai perukkuvadhu iru paal
That which expands humankind is the two genders (Iru paal)
Adhu aan paal pen paal iru paal
That is the male gender and female gender
Irukkudhu idhu pola palappaal
There are many such categories of 'paal'
Avai pazham paal
Those are ancient concepts
En kadaippaal oruvidhapaal pudhu paal
My shop's milk is a unique, fresh kind of milk
Paal paal pasum paal
Milk, milk, fresh cow's milk
Padhamai sudum paal
Milk boiled to perfection
Paal paal pasumpaal padhamaai sudum paal
Milk, milk, fresh cow's milk, milk boiled to perfection
Paarthaale inikkum en kadaippaal
The milk from my shop tastes sweet just by looking at it
Paal paal pasumpaal padhamaai sudum paal
Milk, milk, fresh cow's milk, milk boiled to perfection
Paarthaale inikkum en kadaippaal
The milk from my shop tastes sweet just by looking at it
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Paal Paal Pasumpaal from the 1960 movie Mahalakshmi is a upbeat, playful song composed by K. V. Mahadevan and rendered energetically by K. Jamunarani. The song centres around a female milk vendor pitching her pure, high-quality cow's milk to passersby. Lyricist A. Maruthakasi cleverly uses double entendre and puns on the word 'paal'—which means milk as well as category, section, or gender in Tamil. Beyond advertising milk as a remedy to turn a thin person (like a snake gourd) into a robust one (like a pumpkin), the song weaves in high Tamil literary concepts. It references 'Muppaal' (the three sections of Thirukkural: Aram, Porul, Inbam) and 'Iru paal' (male and female genders), contrasting these old 'paals' with her fresh, delicious 'kadaippaal' (shop milk). It remains a shining example of witty lyricism in golden-age Tamil cinema.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Pun / Wordplay (Sledai)
“Arivai valarppadhu muppaal”
Exploiting the homonym 'Paal', which means 'milk' (cow's milk) as well as 'section/category/gender' (Muppaal, Iru paal).
Simile (Uvamai)
“Pudalanagaai pola irukkum / Udal poosanikaai pola perukkum”
Comparing a skinny person to a snake gourd (pudalangai) and a well-nourished body to a pumpkin (poosanikai).
End Rhyme (Iyaippu)
“Idhamaai irukkum ippaal / Idhu theerndhaal kedaikkadhu appaal”
Consistent rhyming suffix ending with '-paal' (ippaal, appaal, thanipaal, sirippaal, muppaal).
Did you know?
Trivia
Lyricist A. Maruthakasi was renowned for weaving deep educational and literary references into catchy street-vendor songs. Here, he seamlessly connects Thirukkural literature (Muppaal) and human genders (Iru paal) into a milk vendor's sales pitch, making high literature accessible through popular music.
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