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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Padichu Ennatha Kizhikka Pora

From Ore Oru Gramathiley · 1989

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
Ilayaraja
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Ore Oru Gramathiley1989

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Padichu ennatha kilikka poradaWhat big thing are you going to achieve by studying, man?
Namma pozhappa nadatha padippu ethukkudaWhy do we need education just to earn our living, man?
Yaara irundha podhumWhoever you may be,
Rendu kaalaal nadakka venumYou must walk on two feet.
Kaalaal nadakkum yaarumAnyone who walks on feet,
Idha poda thaanae venumMust surely wear these footwear.
Adhuvum maranthutaa namma kittaIf you forget even that, you fool,
Nikkanum muttaapayalaeYou will have to stand near us!
Male
Muttapayanga padikka venamaaShouldn't foolish people get educated?
Namma munnera thaan thuduikka venaamaShouldn't we yearn to progress in life?
Mazhaikku kooda neeyumYou didn't even take shelter in a school,
Pallikoodathil othungavillaiEven when it rained!
Male
Padippu vaasana yedhuWhere is the smell of education here?
Inga seruppu vaasana aachuHere, it has become the smell of leather slippers.
Paattan parambara appanoda nikkattumLet ancestral traditions stop with the father,
Pillaikku venamThe child doesn't need it!
Male
Padichu ennatha kilikka poradaWhat big thing are you going to achieve by studying, man?
Male :HaanMale: Haan
Male :Namma pozhappa nadatha padippu ethukkudaMale: Why do we need education just to earn our living, man?
Male
Karuma veeraruu naattai aanda kaamaraasaruKamarajar, the hardworking hero who ruled the state,
Kalooriyila thaan padichu thalaivar aanaaraaDid he become a leader by studying in college?
Karuma veeraruu naattai aanda kaamaraasaruKamarajar, the hardworking hero who ruled the state,
Kalooriyila thaan padichu thalaivar aanaaraaDid he become a leader by studying in college?
Aringar annaa idhaya kani mgryaara nee paaruLook at Arignar Anna and Idhaya Kani MGR,
Podhu ariva valathukittu modhal amaichar aanaaruThey developed general knowledge and became Chief Ministers.
Male
Annaalil thaan padikka aagathatha enni thaanRealizing that people couldn't study in those days,
Inaalil pallikoodam yeraalama katti thaanNowadays, many schools have been built,
Sathunavum udaiyum koduthu thaanBy providing nutritious meals and clothes,
Padikka solluraapulaHe encourages everyone to study.
Male
Muttapayanga padikka venamaaShouldn't foolish people get educated?
Namma munnera thaan thuduikka venaamaShouldn't we yearn to progress in life?
Male
Nee padichu ennatha kilikka poradaWhat big thing are you going to achieve by studying, man?
Male :HaanMale: Haan
Male :Namma pozhappa nadatha padippu ethukkudaMale: Why do we need education just to earn our living, man?
Male
Arasana nambi purusana kai vitta kadhaiyaaIs it like abandoning your husband trusting a king?
Kaiyila irukkira tholila vittutu pogaadhaeDon't abandon the trade you hold in your hands.
Uyara uyara thaan melae paranthu ponaalumNo matter how high it flies into the sky,
Oor kuruviyum thaan periya parundhu aagaathaeA house sparrow will never become a giant eagle.
Male
Seruppu thacha tholilaali stalinnu aanaaruStalin, a laborer who stitched shoes, became a leader,
Segappu kodi yethi vechu russiyava thaan aandaaruHe raised the red flag and ruled Russia!
Male
Annaatu makkalai pol inaataiyum ennadhaeDon't think this country is different from that country;
Pattaali melae vandhaa paataalikkae thaangaadhaeIf the working class rises up, it benefits all laborers!
Seruppu thaikkira nee padikalaamYou who stitch shoes can get educated;
Padichaa seruppu thaippiyaaaIf you get educated, will you still stitch shoes?
Male
Padichu ennatha ….What big thing are you going to achieve by studying...
Namma pozhappa nadatha padippu ethukkudaWhy do we need education just to earn our living, man?
Male
Mazhaikku kooda neeyumYou didn't even take shelter in a school,
Pallikoodathil othungavillaiEven when it rained!
Male
AamaamaaYes, yes!
Male
Padippu vaasana yedhuWhere is the smell of education here?
Inga seruppu vaasana aachuHere, it has become the smell of leather slippers.
Male :HmmMale: Hmm
Male :Paattan parambara appanoda nikkattumMale: Let ancestral traditions stop with the father,
Pillaikku venamThe child doesn't need it!
Male
Muttapayanga padikka venamaaShouldn't foolish people get educated?
Male :Venaam venaam pooMale: No, no, go away!
Male :Namma munnera thaan thuduikka venaamaMale: Shouldn't we yearn to progress in life?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from the film 'Ore Oru Gramathiley' (1989), penned by lyricist Vaali, portrays a debate surrounding the necessity of formal education versus traditional labor and hereditary trade. One perspective dismisses academic education as unnecessary for day-to-day survival, arguing that practical skills and inherent knowledge are sufficient, citing iconic leaders like K. Kamaraj who rose to prominence without higher academic degrees.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethirai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Annaalil thaan padikka aagathatha enni thaan / Inaalil pallikoodam yeraalama katti thaan

Matching second consonants across lines to create a rhythmic flow.

Moonaal / Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Karuma veeraruu naattai aanda kaamaraasaru / Kalooriyila thaan padichu

Repetition of initial consonant sounds across words in a line.

Uvamai (Analogy / Metaphor)

Uyara uyara thaan melae paranthu ponaalum / Oor kuruviyum thaan periya parundhu aagaathae

Comparing a modest bird flying high to a majestic eagle to symbolize natural limits vs ambition.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Ore Oru Gramathiley' (1989) is a national award-winning Tamil film scored by Ilaiyaraaja. The film dealt heavily with caste reservations and constitutional reforms, leading to significant political debate and an initial ban by the Tamil Nadu state government, which was later overturned by the Supreme Court of India.

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