- Lyricist
- Pulamaipithan
- Singers
- Saibaba, L. R. Eswari
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Movie name
- Baghdad Perazhagi
- Movie release year
- 1973
- Lyrics added on
- 21 Apr 2023
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
The song 'Padi Padi Vaazhkkaiyilae' from the 1973 film Baghdad Perazhagi is a philosophical yet catchy song centered on moral living, hard work, and financial prudence. Using clever wordplay around the word 'padi' (which means to study, step, measure, doorstep, or manner depending on context), the lyrics question how people can progress in life without resorting to deceit or tricks. It advises working honestly, earning a decent living daily, and avoiding unnecessary debts that bring shame to one's doorstep. Furthermore, the song comments on social governance and civic discipline, noting that a country flourishes only when ruled by law and structured planning rather than individual whims. It criticizes those who create confusion and calls for genuine reform, urging listeners to walk the right path step by step.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Yamakam / Polysemic Wordplay
“Padi padi vaazhkkaiyilae eththanai padi”
The word 'padi' is repeated throughout the line with distinct meanings: 'padi' (study/learn), 'vaazhkkaiyilae padi' (steps of life), and '-padi' (manner/way).
Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Appadi ippadi aadaamae / Seppadi viththa kaattaamae”
The second consonant 'p' in 'Appadi' rhymes with 'Seppadi' in the succeeding line.
Anaphora / Polyptoton
“Sattapadiyum thittapadiyum irukanum naadu”
The repetition of the suffix '-padi' in various compound words (Sattapadi, Thittapadi, Ishttappadi) adds a rhythmic bounce and thematic coherence.
Did you know?
Trivia
Lyricist Pulamaipithan crafted this song almost entirely as a linguistic tour de force, integrating the Tamil root word 'padi' in over ten distinct semantic forms throughout the track. Composed by M. S. Viswanathan, the song features Jayalalithaa and Ravichandran in the film.
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