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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Paavalan Paadiya

From Muhammad bin Tughluq · 1971

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Muhammad bin Tughluq1971

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
…………....
Male
Paavalan paadiya pudhumai pennaiThe modern woman praised in the poet's song
Bhoomiyil kandathu indruHas been seen on earth today
Paavalan paadiya pudhumai pennaiThe modern woman praised in the poet's song
Bhoomiyil kandathu indruHas been seen on earth today
Intha thaarani pottrum thaaikkulam thanthaGiven by the community of mothers praised by this world
Aayiram selvathil ondru…She is one among a thousand treasures...
Aayiram selvathil ondru…She is one among a thousand treasures...
Male
Nee irukkum idam kudiyirukkumWhere you reside, there resides
Kudiyirukkum kudiyirukkumResides, resides
Nee irukkum idam kudiyirukkumWhere you reside, there resides
Anbu kudiyirukkumLove resides
Un nizhal irukkumidam oliyirukkum endrumWhere your shadow falls, light will forever abide
Oliyirukkum nalla oliyirukkumLight will abide, good light will abide
Happy birth day to you happy birth day to you…Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you...
Chorus
Happy birth day to you….Happy birthday to you...
Male
Naagareegam thanai manam verukkumYour mind despises artificial sophistication
Unthan manam verukkumYour mind despises
Unnum unavil kooda senthamizh manakkumEven in the food consumed, pure Tamil fragrance lingers
Inba tamil manakkumSweet Tamil fragrance lingers
Male
Pon maalai parisugalGolden garlands and gifts
ThevaiyillaiyenaStating they are unneeded
Naalum koorum gunamirukkumYou possess the character that declares this daily
Nallaa gunamirukkumPossesses a truly noble character
Male
Paavalan paadiya pudhumai pennaiThe modern woman praised in the poet's song
Bhoomiyil kandathu indruHas been seen on earth today
Intha thaarani pottrum thaaikkulam thanthaGiven by the community of mothers praised by this world
Aayiram selvathil ondru…She is one among a thousand treasures...
Aayiram selvathil ondru…She is one among a thousand treasures...
Male
Yezhai vaazhvu pera thudithudikkum thuthudikkumThrobbing with eagerness for the poor to gain a good life
Nenjam thuthudikkumYour heart throbs
Unthan aadai kooda adhai edhirozhikkumEven your simple attire reflects that purpose
Ingu edhirozhikkum engum edhirozhikkumEchoes here, echoes everywhere
Male
Yazhaiyin thozhiyaeFriend of the poor!
Chorus :VaazhgaChorus: Long live!
Male :Engalin thalaiviyaeMale: Our leader!
Chorus :VaazhgaChorus: Long live!
Happy birth day to you….Happy birthday to you...
Happy birth day to you….Happy birthday to you...
Happy birth day to you….Happy birthday to you...
Male
Kottai meedhu unthan kodi parakkaMay your flag fly atop the fort
Thani kodi parakkaA distinct flag fly
Intha naattai aala vantha kulavilake penn kulavilakkaeO light of our clan born to rule this nation, light among women
Than veedu polavae naadu yaavaiyum naalum kaanumWho treats the entire country like her own home every day
Tamizhanangae engal tamizhanangaeO Tamil maiden, our Tamil maiden
Male
Paavalan paadiya pudhumai pennaiThe modern woman praised in the poet's song
Bhoomiyil kandathu indruHas been seen on earth today
Intha thaarani pottrum thaaikkulam thanthaGiven by the community of mothers praised by this world
Aayiram selvathil ondru…She is one among a thousand treasures...
Aayiram selvathil ondru…She is one among a thousand treasures...
Chorus :Happy birth day to you….Chorus: Happy birthday to you...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a political satire disguised as a birthday tribute to a prominent female leader, referencing Mahakavi Bharathiyar's concept of 'Pudhumai Penn' (the modern woman). Sung by T.M. Soundararajan with lyricist Vaali's trademark eloquence, the lyrics hyperbolically praise the leader's simplicity, love for Tamil language and culture, compassion for the poor, and ambition to rule the state.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monae (Initial Alliteration)

Paavalan paadiya pudhumai pennai

Repetition of the 'P' sound at the beginning of words ('Paavalan', 'paadiya', 'pudhumai', 'pennai').

Literary Allusion

Paavalan paadiya pudhumai pennai

Direct reference to Mahakavi Subramania Bharathi's visionary concept of 'Pudhumai Penn' (the modern progressive woman).

Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

Intha naattai aala vantha kulavilake penn kulavilakkae

Describing the leader as 'Kula Vilakku' (the guiding lamp/light of the family and nation).

Did you know?

Trivia

The song comes from Cho Ramaswamy's famous 1971 political satire film 'Muhammad bin Tughluq'. It parodies sycophantic political birthday celebrations and campaign songs prevalent in Tamil Nadu politics.

Keep listening

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