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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Paazhum Aduppa Oothi Oothi

From Raja Vikrama · 1950

Lyricist
A. M. Nadaraja Kavi
Singers
S. Rajam, Ganthimathi
Music director
S. Rajam
Details
Raja Vikrama1950

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Paazhum aduppai oothi oothIBlowing blowing on this wretched stove
Pakkamellaam novuthuMy sides are hurting completely
Paazhum aduppai oothi oothIBlowing blowing on this wretched stove
Pakkamellaam novuthuMy sides are hurting completely
Pachcha kattaiyai vachchu koluththinaaIf green wood is placed and lit
PaththamaattaenenguthuIt refuses to catch fire
Female
Yaezhu maadiyil iruntha enakkuFor me who lived in a seven-story palace
Ippadi kaalamum vanthathuSuch a time has also arrived
Edhai ninaippathu edharkazhuvathuWhat to think about, what to cry for
Engathi ippadiyaachchuthuMy state has become like this
Female
Satti paanai illaamalaeWithout pots and pans
Samaippaalaa oru pompalaeCan a woman cook?
Satti paanai illaamalaeWithout pots and pans
Samaippaalaa oru pompalaeCan a woman cook?
Samaththu pesi pesiSpeaking cleverly and repeatedly
Kazhutharukkiraaraiyyaa aambalaeThe man is slitting my throat, oh sir
Female
Enna neramo en giragasaaramoWhat bad time is this, what ill fate of mine
Edakku saniyan pidichchukkittaanoHas troublesome misfortune caught me?
Enna maayamo theriyala enna maayamoWhat illusion is this, I do not know what illusion
Kadavulae enna maayamoOh God, what illusion is this
Male
Edakku saniyan pidichchukittaanoHas troublesome misfortune caught me?
Enna maayamo kadavulaeWhat illusion is this, oh God
Edakku saniyan pidichchukittaanoHas troublesome misfortune caught consulate?
Enna maayamo kadavulaeWhat illusion is this, oh God
Intha paana rendaa pochchuThis pot broke into two
Iruntha thanniyum kotti pochchuThe remaining water also spilled away
Male
Kadaikku poyi saamaan vaangiGoing to the store and buying goods
Kanji kaaichchavum maranthu pochchuMaking porridge was completely forgotten
Kaalaththin kolam rajanum pirinjaanBy the turn of time, the king was separated
Thannaalae ilamottu kalangalaachcheBy itself, the young bud became troubled
Male
Kottaravan seitha kuttramThe mistake made by the striker
pidi kaalai saernthaappulaAs if catching the feet
Puththi summaayirunthuWhile my mind was at peace
Ennaiyum suzhattiyathoDid it spin me around too?
Female
Sozhattavumilae kazhattavumilaNeither spinning nor releasing
Soru samaikka jalam engaeWhere is the water to cook rice?
Male :Aiyyo solluratha keludiMale: Oh, listen to what I am saying, woman
Thondiya thookkunaaWhen the pot was lifted
Pidippugal rendaa pochchudiThe handles broke into two, woman
Female
Aiyo adukkumaa sollu idhu kaagithamaaOh, is this fair? Tell me, is this paper?
Idhu aambalaththanamaa sagikkumaaIs this manly behavior? Is it tolerable?
Male :Aamaam arasan pola vesanam enakkuMale: Yes, I have grief like a king
Adhupol unakkum irukkumaaWill you have the same?
Female
Irukkaathu irukkaathu ennaala iyalaathuIt won't be, it won't be, I cannot endure it
Male :EnnaadhuMale: What is it?
Female :Ennaathaa eduththadi ini vaikka mudiyaathuFemale: Whatever I pick up, I cannot put back down
Padukkavo ingu paayum kidaiyaathuThere is not even a mat here to lie down
Eppadi nadappaen sappai pidikkuthuHow will I walk, my waist is aching
Appappa ennoda aavi thudikkuthuOh my, my soul is trembling
Ennaala iyalaathuI cannot endure it
Male
Sonnaenae porappadum potheI told you while starting out
Sogam ippo nallaa puriyuthaaDo you understand the sorrow clearly now?
Sonnaenae porappadum potheI told you while starting out
Sogam ippo nallaa puriyuthaaDo you understand the sorrow clearly now?
Ponnaattam voottilLike living comfortably like gold at home
Irunnunnaa irukkuthaaIs it as comfortable as that?
Ippa theriyuthaaDo you realize it now?
Female
Ennaaththaa sollipputtiteengaWhat a thing you have said
Echchanai pola neegathaanYou are like a bad omen
Evlo thooram poganumHow far do we have to go?
Rajaa iruppidam innum valaruthaaIs the distance to the King's place still growing?
Male
Ennaa maayamo yaarukku theriyumWhat magic is this, who knows?
Edhukkum manasu ketkuthaaDoes the heart listen to anything?
Male
Enna maayamo en giragasaaramoWhat illusion is this, what ill fate of mine
Antha edakku saniyan pidichchukittaanoHas that troublesome misfortune caught us?
Enna maayamo kadavulae enna maayamoWhat illusion, oh God, what illusion
Theriyalla enna maayamo…I do not know what illusion...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This humorous dialogue song from Raja Vikrama (1950) portrays the sudden plight of characters who were once accustomed to royal grandeur in a seven-story palace but are now cast into poverty and severe domestic hardship. They struggle with basic survival chores, such as trying to ignite a stove using damp green wood, cooking without proper pots, spilling precious water, and dealing with broken utensils while walking long exhausting distances. Throughout the song, both characters exchange sarcastic complaints and banter about their terrible luck, ill-fated planetary alignments, physical exhaustion, and total unpreparedness for life outside luxury.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Satti paanai illaamalae / Samaippaalaa oru pompalae

Repetition of initial consonant/vowel sounds in words within the line, such as 'Satti' and 'Samaippaalaa'.

Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Paazhum aduppai oothi oothI / Pakkamellaam novuthu

Repetition of the second letter sound across adjacent lines, as seen in 'Paazhum' and 'Pakkamellaam' ('ka' / 'zha' consonant rhythm).

Contrast / Hyperbole

Yaezhu maadiyil iruntha enakku / Ippadi kaalamum vanthathu

Contrasting former royal luxury in a seven-story palace ('Yaezhu maadiyil iruntha') with present miserable chores.

Simile (Upamai)

Echchanai pola neegathaan

Comparing someone's presence to an unwanted obstacle or bad omen ('Echchanai pola').

Did you know?

Trivia

S. Rajam, who served as both the music director and male playback singer for this track, was a multi-faceted genius. Beyond being a Carnatic vocalist and actor, he was one of India's most celebrated classical painters in the Tanjore style. He was also the elder brother of the legendary musician and filmmaker S. Balachander.

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