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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Paaril Sandhai Koottam

From Sudharsan · 1951

Lyricist
K. D. Santhanam
Singer
P. A. Periyanayaki
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Details
Sudharsan1951

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Sandhai kottamada aa a a aaThis world is just a marketplace crowd, ah ah...
Ulagamae sandhai koottamada idhilThe entire world is a crowd in a marketplace; in this,
Ulavidum manidharilae nalloor pollaarAmong the wandering humans, the good ones and the bad ones,
Iru vagaiyaam gunamudaiyoorAre two kinds of character possessed.
Varuvaar povaar adhu polaeThey come and go, just like that.
Female
Paaril or sandhai koottamA marketplace crowd in the world,
Pala vagai manidha nadamattamMovement of various types of humans.
Paaril or sandhai koottamA marketplace crowd in the world,
Pala vagai manidha nadamattamMovement of various types of humans.
Female
Yer pidithu dhinam paadupattu udalHolding the plough and working hard every day,
Ilaikkiraan oruvanOne thins out his body.
Avan vervai sindhi vilaiyumFrom the crop grown by his shed sweat,
Sugathilae thilaikkiraan oruvanAnother revels in comfort!
Female
Yer pidithu dhinam paadupattu udalHolding the plough and working hard every day,
Ilaikkiraan oruvanOne thins out his body.
Avan vervai sindhi vilaiyumFrom the crop grown by his shed sweat,
Sugathilae thilaikkiraan oruvanAnother revels in comfort!
Paaril or sandhai koottamA marketplace crowd in the world,
Pala vagai manidha nadamattamMovement of various types of humans.
Female
Kai mudhal illadhadhaalaeBecause he lacks initial capital,
Kadan vaanginaan vatti melaeHe took a loan on high interest.
Kai mudhal illadhadhaalaeBecause he lacks initial capital,
Kadan vaanginaan vatti melaeHe took a loan on high interest.
Female
Nambiyae udal pongum veiyililaeTrusting his luck, in the scorching heat,
Seigiraan vyabaaramHe does his business.
Nambiyae udal pongum veiyililaeTrusting his luck, in the scorching heat,
Seigiraan vyabaaramHe does his business.
Enna seidhum illaiyae saaramNo matter what he does, there is no essence in it.
Female
Vaangiya kadanai thanthadhu pogaAfter paying back the principal loan borrowed,
Vattikkae seriyaachuIt was barely enough for the interest!
Vaangiya kadanai thanthadhu pogaAfter paying back the principal loan borrowed,
Vattikkae seriyaachuIt was barely enough for the interest!
Laabam vattikkae seriyaachuAll profits went towards the interest.
Paadupattadhellam veenaachuAll the hard work went in vain.
Female
Vatti vaangi kollaiadipavanThe one who loots by collecting interest,
Vaazhvu uyaral aachuHis life became elevated.
Vatti vaangi kollaiadipavanThe one who loots by collecting interest,
Vaazhvu uyaral aachuHis life became elevated.
Female
Vaazha ninaikkiraan oruvanOne person wishes to live;
Avanai vaatti vadhaikkiraan oruvanAnother torments and oppresses him!
Vaazha ninaikkiraan oruvanOne person wishes to live;
Avanai vaatti vadhaikkiraan oruvanAnother torments and oppresses him!
Paaril or sandhai koottamA marketplace crowd in the world,
Pala vagai manidha nadamattamMovement of various types of humans.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This philosophical song compares the world to a chaotic marketplace where diverse people—both righteous and wicked—come and go. It offers a poignant social critique of labor exploitation and economic injustice. The lyricist highlights how a farmer toils continuously in sweat to grow food, only for an idle, wealthy person to enjoy the profits of that hard work. Furthermore, the song exposes the evil cycle of high-interest loans and predatory moneylenders. A small merchant works under the blazing sun, yet all his earnings are devoured by debt and interest, leaving his hard work in vain. Ultimately, the song laments a cruel world where one person struggles merely to survive while another prospers by tormenting and exploiting him.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Ulagamae sandhai koottamada idhil

Compares the world to a temporary, bustling marketplace ('Sandhai koottam') filled with transient human interaction.

Antithesis / Social Contrast (Edhirinai)

Avan vervai sindhi vilaiyum / Sugathilae thilaikkiraan oruvan

Contrasts the laborer who exhausts himself farming with the wealthy idle man who enjoys the output without working.

Consonance / Monnai & Etukai (Phonetic Repetition)

Vaazha ninaikkiraan oruvan / Avanai vaatti vadhaikkiraan oruvan

The rhythmic repetition of words starting with 'V' ('Vaazha', 'Vaatti', 'Vadhaikkiraan') emphasizes the cruelty of oppression.

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Trivia

Featured in the 1951 Tamil film 'Sudharsan' starring P. U. Chinnappa, this song composed by G. Ramanathan and sung by P. A. Periya Nayagi carries strong socio-economic commentary typical of early Dravidian movement-inspired reformist themes in mid-20th-century Tamil cinema.

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