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Lyrics & meaning

Padagu Padagu

From Uthaman · 1976

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, P. Susheela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Uthaman1976

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Padagu padagu aasai padaguBoat, boat, the boat of desires
Padagu padagu aasai padaguBoat, boat, the boat of desires
Povomaa pon ulagamShall we go to the golden world?
Padagu padagu aasai padaguBoat, boat, the boat of desires
Padagu padagu aasai padaguBoat, boat, the boat of desires
Povomaa pon ulagamShall we go to the golden world?
Female
Bayandha manadhu paarthu pazhaguObserve and get used to this fearful heart
Bayandha manadhu paarthu pazhaguObserve and get used to this fearful heart
Idhu thaanae en ulagamIs this not my world?
Bayandha manadhu paarthu pazhaguObserve and get used to this fearful heart
Bayandha manadhu paarthu pazhaguObserve and get used to this fearful heart
Idhu thaanae en ulagamIs this not my world?
Male
Lailaa… aa… aa…Laila… ah… ah…
Female
Khais… khais…Qays… Qays…
Male
Nilavu mugathilae mukkaadu podumRemoving the cloud that veils the face of the moon
Megathai vilakkadi lailaaUnveil the cloud, oh Laila
Un azhaghukku salaamu lailaaSalutations to your beauty, Laila
Un azhaghukku salaamu lailaaSalutations to your beauty, Laila
Female
Aadavar ulagil aan magan neeyaeIn the world of men, you are the true man
Adimaiyandro naan unakkuAm I not a slave to you?
Khais arasan andro nee enakkuOh Qays, are you not a king to me?
Arasan andro nee enakkuAre you not a king to me?
Male
Manal veli melae manamagan irukkaWhile the groom remains on the sandy waste
Manamagal pallaakkil pogindraalThe bride travels in a palanquin
Manadhaiyum kallaakki pogindraalTurning her heart into stone as she departs
Female
Udal verum koodu uyir unnoduThe body is just an empty frame, my life is with you
Maragadha dholi udaloduThe emerald palanquin carries the body
En manam ennum dholi unnoduMy heart's palanquin is with you
Male
Lailaa… aa… aa…Laila… ah… ah…
Male
Padagu padagu aasai padaguBoat, boat, the boat of desires
Padagu padagu aasai padaguBoat, boat, the boat of desires
Povomaa pon ulagamShall we go to the golden world?
Female
Bayandha manadhu paarthu pazhaguObserve and get used to this fearful heart
Bayandha manadhu paarthu pazhaguObserve and get used to this fearful heart
Idhu thaanae en ulagamIs this not my world?
Male
Anaar…Anar…
Female
Saleem…Salim…
Male
Anaar endraal maadhulam…Anar means pomegranate…
Aasai konda maadhulamA pomegranate filled with desire
Anaar endraal maadhulamAnar means pomegranate
Aasai konda maadhulamA pomegranate filled with desire
Saleem endra mannavanThe prince named Salim
Salaamu vaithaan unnidam…Offered his salutations to you…
Unmai kaadhal kaadhal kaadhalTrue love, love, love
Indha kaadhal poyin saadhalIf this love ends, it is death
Female
Aa… aa… aa…Ah… ah… ah…
Akbar ennum baadhusaaEmperor named Akbar
Aa… aa… aa… arasai aalum vaarisaaAh… ah… ah… heir who rules the kingdom
Akbar ennum baadhusaaEmperor named Akbar
Arasai aalum vaarisaaHeir who rules the kingdom
Kannin munnae vandhadhuAppeared right before my eyes
Kaadhal nenjai thandhadhu…And offered a loving heart…
Unmai kaadhal kaadhal kaadhalTrue love, love, love
Indha kaadhal poyin saadhalIf this love ends, it is death
Female
Saleem… saleem… saleem…Salim… Salim… Salim…
Male
Anaar…Anar…
Kaadhal ilam kavidhai ellaamIf all young poems of love
Kallaraikkae pogumendraalAre destined to end in the grave
Kaadhal enum thathuvamaeIs this philosophy called love
Kadavul itta dhandanaiyoA punishment decreed by God?
Kadavul itta dhandanaiyo…A punishment decreed by God?…
Male
Padagu padagu aasai padaguBoat, boat, the boat of desires
Padagu padagu aasai padaguBoat, boat, the boat of desires
Povomaa pon ulagamShall we go to the golden world?
Female
Bayandha manadhu paarthu pazhaguObserve and get used to this fearful heart
Bayandha manadhu paarthu pazhaguObserve and get used to this fearful heart
Idhu thaanae en ulagamIs this not my world?
Male
Hae… hae… povomaa pon ulagamHey… hey… shall we go to the golden world?
Female
Haa aa aa haa idhu thaanae en ulagamHaa ah ah ha, is this not my world?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Padagu Padagu Aasai Padagu' is a evocative duet penned by Kannadasan for the 1976 movie Uthaman. The song uses the metaphor of a 'desire boat' embarking on a voyage to an idealized golden realm of love, juxtaposed against the anxiety and hesitation of a vulnerable, fearful heart. To heighten the dramatic and immortal nature of their romance, the lyrics draw rich parallels from legendary tragic romances—specifically Laila and Qays (Majnun), as well as Anarkali (Anar) and Prince Salim under the shadow of Emperor Akbar. The characters express that true love binds their souls beyond physical form, questioning if love's tragic path of separation and death is a divine sentence or an eternal testament to commitment.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Padagu padagu aasai padagu

'Aasai padagu' (boat of desire) compares floating desires and romantic aspirations to a boat sailing towards an idealized world.

Allusion (Aaluvaay / Varalaatru Kurippu)

Lailaa… Khais… / Anaar… Saleem…

Refers to the iconic historical and folklore tragic lovers Laila-Qays (Majnun) and Salim-Anarkali to emphasize timeless passion.

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Manal veli melae manamagan irukka / Manamagal pallaakkil pogindraal

Rhyming of second letters ('na') in 'Manal', 'Manamagan', 'Manamagal', and 'Manadhaiyum' creates melodic unity.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song incorporates iconic classical lovers from Persian and Mughal lore (Laila-Majnun and Salim-Anarkali/Anar) within a Tamil film song structure, highlighting Kannadasan's signature stylistic blend of historical cross-cultural romance motifs.

Keep listening

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Padagu Padagu Lyrics | English Translation | Meaning | Isaimozhi