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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Paattu Paada

From Deivathin Deivam · 1962

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Details
Deivathin Deivam1962

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Paattu paada vaayeduthaen yelelooI opened my mouth to sing a song, yeleloo
Adhu paadhaiyilae ninnu pochae yelelooBut it stopped abruptly midway along the path, yeleloo
Paattu paada vaayeduthaen yelelooI opened my mouth to sing a song, yeleloo
Adhu paadhaiyilae ninnu pochae yelelooBut it stopped abruptly midway along the path, yeleloo
Pesa oru kiliyeduthaen yeleloI raised a parrot to talk with me, yelelo
Pesa oru kiliyeduthaen yeleloI raised a parrot to talk with me, yelelo
Adhu pesu munnae parandhu pochae yeleloBut before it could speak, it flew away, yelelo
Female
Palliyarai kaanalaiyaeI haven't seen the bridal chamber
Paaleduthu kodukkaliyaeI haven't served the ceremonial milk
Thulli vandhu paarkkaliyaeYou didn't leap forward to look at me
Thottu vilaiyaadaliyaeYou didn't playfully touch and hold me
Female
Vakkanaiyaa soraakki yeleloHaving cooked a delicious meal, yelelo
Naan pachai elai podaliayae yeleloI haven't even laid out the fresh green banana leaf, yelelo
Vakkanaiyaa soraakki yeleloHaving cooked a delicious meal, yelelo
Naan pachai elai podaliayae yeleloI haven't even laid out the fresh green banana leaf, yelelo
Vaayinikka unnalaiyae yeleloYou haven't eaten it to sweeten your palate, yelelo
Vaayinikka unnalaiyae yeleloYou haven't eaten it to sweeten your palate, yelelo
Naan manam kulira paarkkalaiyae yeleloI haven't gazed at you to my heart's content, yelelo
Female
Maandadhu pol thonalaiyaeIt doesn't feel like you have passed away
Manasara ninaikalaiyaeMy heart refuses to accept it completely
Vazhi anuppi vaitha thandhaiThe father who bade you farewell
Vizhi moodi thongalaiyaeHas not closed his eyes in peaceful sleep
Female
Poomaalai vaadalaiyae yeleloThe wedding flower garland hasn't even withered, yelelo
Potta pandhal pirikkaliyae yeleloThe erected wedding canopy hasn't been dismantled, yelelo
Poomaalai vaadalaiyae yeleloThe wedding flower garland hasn't even withered, yelelo
Potta pandhal pirikkaliyae yeleloThe erected wedding canopy hasn't been dismantled, yelelo
Maavilaiyum thoranamum yeleloThe mango leaf decorations and festoons, yelelo
Maavilaiyum thoranamum yeleloThe mango leaf decorations and festoons, yelelo
Nee marainthadhaaga sollalaiyae yeleloHave not announced that you are gone, yelelo
Female
Paattu paada vaayeduthaen yelelooI opened my mouth to sing a song, yeleloo
Adhu paadhaiyilae ninnu pochae yelelooBut it stopped abruptly midway along the path, yeleloo

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant song is a sorrowful lament (Oppari style adaptation) sung by a newly married bride who grieves the sudden loss of her husband. She reflects on how her dreams of married life were shattered before they could even begin. She speaks of unfulfilled domestic routines—preparing meals, serving him, and spending time together in the bridal chamber. She contrasts the abrupt tragedy with the reality around her: the wedding garlands are still fresh, the pandal (canopy) is still standing, and the celebratory festoons haven't even been removed. The grief is compounded by disbelief, as neither she nor her family can accept that he is gone so suddenly right after the wedding rituals.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Eyaipodhu (End Rhyme / Monorhyme)

Palliyarai kaanalaiyae / Paaleduthu kodukkaliyae...

Consecutive lines end with the suffix '-laiyae' (kaanalaiyae, kodukkaliyae, paarkkaliyae, vilaiyaadaliyae), creating a rhythmic and mournful cadence typical of Tamil folk laments.

Folk Refrain (Madakku / Oppari Rhythm)

Paattu paada vaayeduthaen yeleloo

The rhythmic filler 'yelelo' / 'yeleloo' is heavily used in traditional Tamil folk songs to maintain tempo and convey deep emotional grief.

Metaphor and Imagery

Adhu pesu munnae parandhu pochae yelelo

The 'parrot' and the 'half-sung song' act as metaphors for unfinished life and unspoken dreams cut short by tragedy.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by G. Ramanathan with lyrics by Kannadasan, this song remains one of Tamil cinema's most iconic tragedy numbers. P. Susheela's deeply emotional vocal performance elevated the song into a classic representation of Tamil folk lamentation adapted for film music.

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