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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Paattu Oru Paattu

From Thaai Sollai Thattadhe · 1961

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, P. Susheela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Thaai Sollai Thattadhe1961

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
M…hum mhum mm…mm…M...hum mhum mm...mm...
Male
M…hmm mhum mm…mm…M...hmm mhum mm...mm...
Female
Paattu… oru paattu…A song... just a song...
Male
Paattu… orae oru paattu…A song... just one song...
Female
Yaettinilum ezhuthinilumNeither in scriptures nor in writings,
Orae oru paattu adhaiJust one song, which,
Ezhudhum podhu mayakkam varumBrings a spell of intoxication when written,
Orae oru paattuJust one song.
Yaettinilum ezhuthinilumNeither in scriptures nor in writings,
Orae oru paattu adhaiJust one song, which,
Ezhudhum podhu mayakkam varumBrings a spell of intoxication when written,
Orae oru paattuJust one song.
Male
Thottam thaedi nadakka chollumIt asks one to walk searching for the garden,
Orae oru paattuJust one song.
Thottam thaedi nadakka chollumIt asks one to walk searching for the garden,
Orae oru paattuJust one song.
Thookkamindri alaiya vaikkumIt makes one wander sleeplessly,
Orae oru paattuJust one song.
Male
Paattu… oru paattu…A song... just a song...
Female
Paattu… orae oru paattu…A song... just one song...
Female
Thaai thaduthaal ketpadhillaiIt does not listen even if a mother forbids it,
Orae oru paattuJust one song.
Male
Pettra thandhaiyaiyum madhippadhillaiIt does not respect even the biological father,
Orae oru paattuJust one song.
Female
Thaai thadutthaal kaetpadhillaiIt does not listen even if a mother forbids it,
Orae oru paattuJust one song.
Male
Pettra thandhaiyaiyum madhippadhillaiIt does not respect even the biological father,
Orae oru paattuJust one song.
Female
Thaai thadutthaal kaetpadhillaiIt does not listen even if a mother forbids it,
Orae oru paattuJust one song.
Male
Pettra thandhaiyaiyum madhippadhillaiIt does not respect even the biological father,
Orae oru paattuJust one song.
Paai virithu padukkum podhumEven when lying down after spreading a mat,
Orae oru paattuJust one song.
Paai virithu padukkum podhumEven when lying down after spreading a mat,
Orae oru paattuJust one song.
Female
Paadhiyilae vizhikka chollumIt tells one to wake up in the middle of sleep,
Orae oru paattuJust one song.
Female
Paattu… oru paattu…A song... just a song...
Male
Paattu… orae oru paattu…A song... just one song...
Male
Uravu paarthu varuvadhillaiIt does not arrive considering family relations,
Uruvam kandu pirappadhillaiIt is not born considering physical appearance,
Nilavu mangai ezhudhi vaitha paattuA song written by the maiden of the moon.
Female
Uravu paarthu varuvadhillaiIt does not arrive considering family relations,
Uruvam kandu pirappadhillaiIt is not born considering physical appearance,
Nilavu mangai ezhudhi vaitha paattuA song written by the maiden of the moon.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

In this classic composition written by Kannadasan for the 1961 Tamil film 'Thaai Sollai Thattadhe', the song serves as a poetic metaphor for the overwhelming passion and intoxicating nature of love. Described as a singular, enchanting song, love transcends conventional boundaries—it cannot be fully captured in books or scripts, nor does it yield to parental objections or societal norms. It drives a person restless, compelling them to wander, lose sleep, and remain in a constant state of romantic obsession. The lyrical narrative emphasizes that true love does not discriminate based on family lineage or physical appearance. Instead, it is depicted as a celestial, divine emotion—a verse composed by the moon maiden herself that awakens deep feelings in the human heart.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Refrain / Anaphora (Madakku)

Orae oru paattu

The deliberate repetition of the refrain 'Orae oru paattu' (Just one song) emphasizes the central theme of a singular, all-consuming emotion.

Initial Rhyme (Monai)

Thottam thaedi nadakka chollum / Thookkamindri alaiya vaikkum

Matching initial sounds across lines such as 'Thottam', 'Thookkam', 'Thaai', 'Paai' creates rhythm and lyrical flow.

Personification / Metaphor (Uvamai)

Nilavu mangai ezhudhi vaitha paattu

The moon is personified as a maiden ('Nilavu mangai') who writes this enchanting song of love.

Did you know?

Trivia

Thaai Sollai Thattadhe (1961) was a hit film starring M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) and Saroja Devi, directed by M. A. Thirumugam. The iconic music was composed by K. V. Mahadevan, with lyrics penned by the legendary Kannadasan.

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