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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Paaviyinum Padu Pavi

From Manamagal · 1951

Lyricist
Udumalai Narayanakavi
Singers
V. N. Sundaram, M. L. Vasanthakumari
Music director
C. R. Subbaraman
Details
Manamagal1951

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Paaviyinum padupaaviA sinner worse than a sinner
Female :Paaviyinum padupaaviFemale: A sinner worse than a sinner
Male :Ivan paaviyinum padupaaviMale: He is a sinner worse than a sinner
Female :Ivan endrae paarmel naamumFemale: On this earth, so that we
Peraamal arul indraeMay receive your grace today without delay
Male
Naanae un adimaiyae…ae..I am indeed your servant
Naanae un adimaiyae…ae..I am indeed your servant
Female : Ae…ae….ae….Female: Ah... ah... ah...
Naavalar pottrum gnaanodhayamaeO dawn of wisdom praised by scholars
Naanae un adimaiyae ye ye yeI am indeed your servant
Naanae un adimaiyaeI am indeed your servant
Male
Paamalaiyaam bhakthi paadal paadiSinging devotional songs like a garland of verses
Paasangu pannaamalum aa aa aaWithout feigning pretense, ah ah ah
Female :Paamalaiyaam bhakthi paadal paadiFemale: Singing devotional songs like a garland of verses
Paasangu pannaamalum paramaWithout putting up a hypocritical pretense
Baagavahdan endru paamarar pugazhndhidaSo that common people praise me as a great devotee
Pagal vesham podaamalumWithout donning a fake role
Male
Yemaatri porul serkkumAmassing wealth by deceiving others
Idhayam illaathannaiMe, who lacks a heart
Female :Yemaatri porul serkkumFemale: Amassing wealth by deceiving others
Idhayam illaathannaiMe, who lacks a heart
Male :Indhiran sandhiran endru pugazhaamalumMale: Without flattering humans as Indra or the Moon
Female :Indhiran …indhiran….Female: Indra... Indra...
Male :Indhiran karpagam endru pugazhaamalumMale: Without praising humans as Indra or the Karpagam tree
Female :Indhiran karpagam endru pugazhaamalumFemale: Without praising humans as Indra or the Karpagam tree

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a deeply humble devotional expression written by Udumalai Narayanakavi. The singer admits human flaws and deceitful tendencies, referring to oneself as a heartless sinner while seeking divine grace. It emphasizes surrendering to the divine dawn of wisdom without pretense, fake piety, or flattering wealthy patrons as celestial beings like Indra or the Karpagam tree.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Male :Indhiran sandhiran endru pugazhaamalum

Matching of the second consonant sound in adjacent words, such as 'Indhiran' and 'Sandhiran'.

Moonaal / Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Paasangu pannaamalum parama

Repetition of the initial 'Pa' sound across 'Paamalaiyaam', 'Paasangu', and 'Parama'.

Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

Naavalar pottrum gnaanodhayamae

'Gnaanodhayamae' metaphors the divine entity as the rising dawn of supreme knowledge/wisdom.

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navitchi)

Paaviyinum padupaavi

'Paaviyinum padupaavi' uses extreme self-deprecation to express absolute humility before the Divine.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Manamagal' (1951) was directed by the legendary comedian and reformist N. S. Krishnan. The soundtrack was composed by C. R. Subburaman, featuring sharp, socially conscious lyrics by Udumalai Narayanakavi that often criticized social hypocrisy and religious pretension.

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