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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Padikkara Vayasula

From Unakkaga Piranthen · 1992

Lyricist
Kamakodiyan
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Deva
Details
Unakkaga Piranthen1992

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Aaa…aaaa….aaa….aaa….Vocalizing (Aaa…aaaa….aaa….aaa….)
Padikkira pasangalukku panam katta sakthi illaThe kids who wish to study lack the financial power to pay fees.
Panam kattum pasangalukku padikkira buthi illaThe kids who have money to pay fees lack the wisdom and desire to study.
Ennum ezhuthum rendu kannaaagumNumbers and letters (literacy) are like two eyes to a person.
Indha rendum illatti ennaagumWhat will become of a person without both of these?
Male
Naan thaan vanganum oru B.A. degree thaanI must definitely earn a B.A. degree.
Neengal yaavarum seiya venum udhavi thaanAll of you must extend your help to me.
Panatha kondu vandha thaanOnly if you bring money...
Padippu solli thaaranga...they impart education to you.
Vasadhi ingae illaenaaIf you do not have financial means here...
Velaga solli poraanga...they ask you to step aside and leave.
Male
Naan thaan vanganum oru B.A. degree thaanI must definitely earn a B.A. degree.
Neengal yaavarum seiya venum udhavi thaanAll of you must extend your help to me.
Male
Oru naalum cut adichiNot even on a single day will I skip classes...
Oor sutha enna matten...to roam around town aimlessly.
Padikaama bit adichi pass marku vanga mattenI will not attempt to pass exams without studying by copying with cheat notes.
Olungaaga aaa aa aaa aaProperly... aaa aa aaa aa
Olungaaga padikkum pullaA child who studies properly...
Ullam thana paal pol vella...possesses a heart as pure and white as milk.
Cigerette beedi ganja baadhippu edhuvum illaThey remain unaffected by bad habits like cigarettes, beedi, or ganja.
Pattam kedaikkum varaikkumUntil earning the degree...
Padippula thaan muttrum kavanam irukkum...their entire focus will remain solely on studies.
Padikaatti ada innattu ezhaikku ingaedhu polappuIf one does not study, how can a poor person in this country make a living?
Male
Naan thaan vanganum oru B.A. degree thaanI must definitely earn a B.A. degree.
Neengal yaavarum seiya vendum udhavi thaanAll of you must extend your help to me.
Male
Periyaaru ambedhkaaru arivodu vaazhunnaaruPeriyar and Ambedkar lived exemplary lives guided by intellect.
Padichakka madhiya soru pottaaru mgraaruMGR provided nutritious mid-day meals to encourage education.
Adhanaala oo oo oo oooTherefore... oo oo oo ooo
Adhanaala neengal ellam aalukku anju pathuTherefore, if all of you contribute five or ten rupees each...
koduthaakka makkal vargam munnerum kalvi kattru...the common people will progress by becoming educated.
Pichai eduthu padikka manasil oru vegam enakku pirakkaAs a passion to study—even by asking for alms—is born in my heart...
Madi yendhi unga munnalae ninnalae ennanga thavaru...what is wrong if I stand before you extending my shawl for support?
Male
Naan thaan vanganum oru B.A. degree thaanI must definitely earn a B.A. degree.
Neengal yaavarum seiya vendum udhavi thaanAll of you must extend your help to me.
Panatha kondu vandha thaanOnly if you bring money...
Padippu solli thaaranga...they impart education to you.
Thaana naana naa thana thaana naana naaRhythmic vocalizing (Thaana naana naa...)
Thaana naana naa thana thaana naana naaRhythmic vocalizing (Thaana naana naa...)

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song highlights the socio-economic barriers to education in society, pointing out the irony that poor children eager to learn lack financial resources, while wealthy children often lack academic motivation. The protagonist passionately seeks public assistance to fund a college education (a B.A. degree) as a pathway out of poverty, promising to study sincerely without turning to misconduct or bad habits. Furthermore, the lyrics pay homage to social leaders like Periyar and Ambedkar for promoting knowledge, as well as M.G. Ramachandran (MGR) for establishing the mid-day meal scheme to feed and educate underprivileged children.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Ennum ezhuthum rendu kannaaagum

Comparing numbers and letters (literacy) directly to two eyes essential for guidance in life.

Simile

Ullam thana paal pol vella

Comparing a dedicated student's heart to white milk ('paal pol vella') to emphasize purity and innocence.

Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Padikkira pasangalukku panam katta sakthi illa / Panam kattum pasangalukku padikkira buthi illa

The second consonant sound 'di' in 'Padikkira' rhymes with 'na' in 'Panam' across consecutive lines to create rhythmic flow.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song appears in the 1992 Tamil film 'Unakkaga Piranthen', directed by Balu Anand and starring Prashanth and Mohini, with music composed by Deva and lyrics written by Kamakodiyan.

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