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Lyrics & meaning

Paazhum Moodargal

From Jaya Gopi · 1955

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
S. C. Krishnan
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Details
Jaya Gopi1955

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Vaanagamae KooraiyaagaWith the sky as your roof,
Vaiyagamae illamaagaAnd the earth as your home,
Thaayanbai izhantha paaviO unfortunate one who lost a mother's love,
Sanjalamae thunai kondaaiYou have taken sorrow as your companion.
Male
Paazhum moodargalDestructive fools,
Solvathu polaeAs they say,
Paapa jenmam neeyaaAre you a sinful birth?
Male
Paathagam seithidumCommitting evil deeds,
Veenar vaarththaiyaalBy the words of useless people,
Thuyaram kolvathaenoWhy do you grieve?
Thuyaram kolvathaenoWhy do you grieve?
Male
Paazhum moodargalDestructive fools,
Solvathu polaeAs they say,
Paapa jenmam neeyaaAre you a sinful birth?
Male
Theeyavar vaazhnthidum bhoomiyilaeIn this world where wicked people live,
Theeyavar vaazhnthidum bhoomiyilaeIn this world where wicked people live,
Un anbu nenjinai yaararivaarWho understands your loving heart?
Sooriya chanthirar jothiyin vadivaeO embodiment of the light of the sun and moon!
Un ilaiya manathinilaeIn your young heart,
Thunbam yaenadaa…aa….aa…aa…Why is there sorrow, my child?
Male
Paazhum moodargalDestructive fools,
Solvathu polaeAs they say,
Paapa jenmam neeyaaAre you a sinful birth?
Male
Patchi ainthu piraanigal yaavumBirds and all five-sensed creatures,
Parivudan kaakkum methinilOn this earth that protects them with compassion,
Patchi ainthu piraanigal yaavumBirds and all five-sensed creatures,
Parivudan kaakkum methinilOn this earth that protects them with compassion,
Unai kaaththidavaeTo protect you,
Oru thunaiyum illaiyaeThere is no companion or support.
Anaathai jeevanaiAn orphan soul,
KaanpaarillaiyaeNo one is there to care for,
Idhuthaan ulagam idhayamillaiyae…This is the world; it has no heart...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant song from Jaya Gopi (1955) expresses deep sorrow and philosophical reflection over an orphan child's suffering. Kannadasan's lyrics depict a helpless child living under the open sky without shelter or maternal affection, burdened by grief and mocked by foolish, cruel people as a 'sinful birth.' The song questions why such a pure, tender soul should suffer from the harsh and wicked words of society. The lyrics further contrast human society with nature, noting that while the world naturally shelters and cares for birds and animals, it fails to offer love or protection to an innocent human orphan, concluding mournfully that the world lacks a heart.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

Vaanagamae Kooraiyaaga

Comparing the open sky directly to a roof ('Koorai') to highlight homelessness.

Monai (Initial Rhyme/Alliteration)

Vaanagamae Kooraiyaaga / Vaiyagamae illamaaga

Matching initial consonant 'Va' across consecutive lines (Vaanagamae / Vaiyagamae).

Rhetorical Question

Paapa jenmam neeyaa

Asking 'Are you a sinful birth?' to challenge the unfair accusations made by foolish people.

Imagery

Sooriya chanthirar jothiyin vadivae

Evoking cosmic and radiant imagery ('light of sun and moon') to describe the innocent purity of the child's soul.

Did you know?

Trivia

Jaya Gopi (1955) is an early classic featuring music by the legendary duo Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy and lyrics by Kannadasan. S. C. Krishnan, known predominantly for high-pitched folk and comic numbers, delivered a rare, deeply emotional play-back performance in this social drama song.

Keep listening

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