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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Paaru Paaru Nalla Paaru

From Guru Dhatchanai · 1969

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
Seerkazhi Govindarajan
Music director
T. Pugazhenthi
Details
Guru Dhatchanai1969

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Paaru paaru nalla paaruLook, look, take a good look
Raamayana katchi paaruLook at the scenes of Ramayana
Raman thambhi lakshmananLook at Rama's brother Lakshmana's
Mugathai paaruLook at his face
Male
Paaru paaru nalla paaruLook, look, take a good look
Bioscope padatha paaruLook at the bioscope picture
Raamayana katchi paaruLook at the scenes of Ramayana
Raman thambhi lakshmananLook at Rama's brother Lakshmana's
Mugathai paaruLook at his face
Male
Langa thagana kaatchi paaruLook at the scene of Lanka burning
Aanjaneyar moonji paaruLook at Lord Anjaneya's face
Ravanan thalaiyai paaruLook at Ravana's heads
Langa thagana kaatchi paaruLook at the scene of Lanka burning
Aanjaneyar moonji paaruLook at Lord Anjaneya's face
Ravanan thalaiyai paaruLook at Ravana's heads
Suthi nikkum ratchasargal messai paaruLook at the moustaches of the surrounding demons
Male
Modha vandhu sandai pottuWho came to pick a fight,
Mookaruthu odi pogumGot her nose cut off and ran away,
Soorpanagai ingae paaruLook at Surpanakha here
Modha vandhu sandai pottuWho came to pick a fight,
Mookaruthu odi pogumGot her nose cut off and ran away,
Soorpanagai ingae paaruLook at Surpanakha here
Moraichu parkkumGlaring angrily,
Mooliyalangaari paaruLook at the nose-cut disfigured woman
Male
Rathinam pola jolikkumShining bright like a gemstone,
Latchmi mogathai paaruLook at Lakshmi's face
Pathiniyai nalla paaruTake a good look at the chaste woman
Olagam sollum uthamiyai ingae paruLook at the virtuous woman praised by the world here
Rathinam pola jolikkumShining bright like a gemstone,
Latchmi mogathai paaruLook at Lakshmi's face
Pathiniyai nalla paaruTake a good look at the chaste woman
Olagam sollum uthamiyai ingae paruLook at the virtuous woman praised by the world here
Male
Nallavanga pokka paaruLook at the conduct of good people
Naagariga pechai paaruLook at civilized and polite speech
Adakkamaana gunathai paaru ..hoo ooo hoLook at the humble character ..hoo ooo ho
Nallavanga pokka paaruLook at the conduct of good people
Naagariga pechai paaruLook at civilized and polite speech
Adakkamaana gunathai paaruLook at the humble character
Avanga polaTo conduct yourself like them,
Nadakkanum nenachu paaruThink about it and try to walk in their path
Male
Paaru paaru nalla paaruLook, look, take a good look
Bioscope padatahi paaruLook at the bioscope picture
Padikadha veerana paaruLook at the uneducated warrior
Nee padikadha veerana paaruYou look at the uneducated warrior
Sivaji padichuputta peru pettraaruSivaji studied well and earned a renowned name
Sivaji padichuputta peru pettraaruSivaji studied well and earned a renowned name
Male
Paaru paaru nalla paaruLook, look, take a good look
Bioscope padatahi paaruLook at the bioscope picture
Padikadha veerana paaruLook at the uneducated warrior
Sivaji padichuputta peru pettraaruSivaji studied well and earned a renowned name

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic song features a bioscope vendor calling out to a crowd to look inside his viewer box. Through the bioscope, he displays animated glimpses from the epic Ramayana—including Hanuman burning Lanka, Lakshmana, Ravana, and Surpanakha—while using these imagery sequences to deliver commentary on righteousness, modest behavior, and noble conduct. In the concluding lines, the lyricist Kannadasan inserts a moral message encouraging the listener to prioritize education, referencing Chatrapati Shivaji's fame attained through knowledge and character.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Anaphora / Eybhu (End Rhyme & Refrain)

Paaru paaru nalla paaru

The word 'paaru' (look/see) is repeated at the end of nearly every line, creating a rhythmic, repetitive refrain characteristic of folk street-crier songs.

Upamai (Simile)

Rathinam pola jolikkum

Compares the radiant face of the virtuous woman to a shining gemstone ('Rathinam pola').

Monaai (Initial Alliteration)

Paaru paaru nalla paaru

Repetition of the 'P' sound at the beginning of words in the same line.

Did you know?

Trivia

This energetic song is composed by T. Pugazhenthi and rendered by the legendary Seerkazhi Govindarajan. Bioscope songs were popular narrative devices in vintage Tamil cinema, allowing characters to comment on morality, mythology, and contemporary life in a folk-entertainment format.

Keep listening

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