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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Padavanthatho Gaanam

From Ilamai Kaalangal · 1983

Lyricist
Muthulingam
Singers
P. Susheela, K. J. Yesudas, Chorus
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Ilamai Kaalangal1983

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Laa laa laa…[Vocalizing]
Lallalala lalalaa… aaa…[Vocalizing]
Lalalaa… aaa…[Vocalizing]
Chorus
Thaaratthattha thaaratthattha[Rhythmic vocalizing]
Thaaratthattha thaaratthattha[Rhythmic vocalizing]
Thaaratthat thaararaa…[Rhythmic vocalizing]
Thaaratthattha thaaratthattha[Rhythmic vocalizing]
Thaaratthat thaararaa…[Rhythmic vocalizing]
Thaaratthattha thaaratthattha[Rhythmic vocalizing]
Thaaratthattha thaaratthattha[Rhythmic vocalizing]
Thaa raa raa raaraara[Rhythmic vocalizing]
Female
Paada vandhadho gaanamHas a song come to be sung?
Paavai kannilo naanamIs that shyness in the young maiden's eyes?
Paada vandhadho gaanamHas a song come to be sung?
Paavai kannilo naanamIs that shyness in the young maiden's eyes?
Female
Kalloorum…mm..mmWhere sweetness drips...
Pon velaiGolden time
Thallaadum… mm..mmmSwaying gently...
Penn maalaiA woman's evening
Ilamai vayalilIn the fertile field of youth
Amudha mazhai vizhaAs a rain of nectar falls
Female
Paada vandhadho gaanamHas a song come to be sung?
Paavai kannilo naanamIs that shyness in the young maiden's eyes?
Chorus
Laa laa… lalalaa… laa laa… lalalaa…[Vocalizing]
Laalaalaalaa laalaa laalalaa[Vocalizing]
Laalaalaalaa laalaa laalalaa[Vocalizing]
Male
Raaja maalai thol serumReaching the shoulders like a royal garland
Naanamennum thaenoorumHoney named shyness sweetens and flows
Raaja maalai thol serumReaching the shoulders like a royal garland
Naanamennum thaenoorumHoney named shyness sweetens and flows
Male
Kannil kulir kaalamA cool season in the eyes
Nenjil veyil kaalamA warm, sunny season in the heart
Kannil kulir kaalamA cool season in the eyes
Nenjil veyil kaalamA warm, sunny season in the heart
Female
Anbae…My beloved...
Anbae ennaalumMy beloved, forever
Naanundhan thozhiI am your companion
Pan paadi kan moodiSinging a melody, closing my eyes
Unadhu madiyilIn your lap
Urangum oru kiliA parrot sleeping peacefully
Male
Paada vandhadho gaanamHas a song come to be sung?
Paavai kannilo naanamIs that shyness in the young maiden's eyes?
Lala lala lalal laala[Vocalizing]
Lala lalalla laala[Vocalizing]
Chorus
Lalaa laala lala laalaa[Vocalizing]
Lalaa laala lala laalalaa[Vocalizing]
Female
Moodi vaitha poonthoppuA flower garden kept enclosed
Kaalam yaavum nee kaappuYou are its guardian for all time
Moodi vaitha poonthoppuA flower garden kept enclosed
Kaalam yaavum nee kaappuYou are its guardian for all time
Female
Idhayam urangaathuThe heart will not sleep
Imaigal irangaadhuThe eyelids will not drop
Idhayam urangaathuThe heart will not sleep
Imaigal irangaadhuThe eyelids will not drop
Male
Thaenae…Sweet one...
Thaenae gangaikkuSweet one, for the river Ganges
Yenindha dhaagamWhy is there such thirst?
Ullaasam ulloorumJoy wells up inside
Nadhigal viraindhaalWhen rivers rush forward
Kadalum vazhi vidumEven the sea will yield path
Female
Paada vandhadho gaanamHas a song come to be sung?
Paavai kannilo naanamIs that shyness in the young maiden's eyes?
Male
Kalloorum…mm..mmWhere sweetness drips...
Pon velaiGolden time
Thallaadum… mm..mmmSwaying gently...
Penn maalaiA woman's evening
Ilamai vayalilIn the fertile field of youth
Amudha mazhai vizhaAs a rain of nectar falls
Female
Paada vandhadho gaanamHas a song come to be sung?
Paavai kannilo naanamIs that shyness in the young maiden's eyes?
Chorus
Lalaa laala lala laalaa[Vocalizing]
Laalaa laalalala laa laa[Vocalizing]
Female
Lalaa laala lala laalaa[Vocalizing]
Lalaa laalalala laa la[Vocalizing]

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Paada Vandhadho Gaanam is a romantic Tamil song from the 1983 film Ilamai Kaalangal. The lyricist Muthulingam uses rich nature imagery—nectar rain, blooming gardens, surging rivers, and seasonal shifts—to capture the tender, bashful feelings of emerging love and youthful intimacy.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Naanamennum thaenoorum

Shyness is metaphorically expressed as sweet honey flowing ('Naanamennum thaenoorum'), and the youth is described as a field receiving nectar-like rain ('Ilamai vayalil amudha mazhai vizha').

Emona / Muran (Oxymoron / Contrast)

Kannil kulir kaalam / Nenjil veyil kaalam

Contrasting cool winter in the eyes with warm summer/sun in the heart to express conflicting emotions of love.

Thodai / Monai (Alliteration)

Paada vandhadho gaanam / Paavai kannilo naanam

Initial letter rhyme with 'Paada' and 'Paavai', bringing rhythmic flow to the refrain.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Ilamai Kaalangal' (1983) features music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with memorable vocal renditions by P. Susheela and S.P. Balasubrahmanyam/K.J. Yesudas across various tracks, marked by Muthulingam's poetic lyricism.

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