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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Padippula Zero

From Ilamai Kaalangal · 1983

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singers
S. P. Sailaja, Chorus
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Ilamai Kaalangal1983

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Padippula zero…Zero in studies...
Nadippula hero…Hero in drama/acting...
Female
Padippula zeroZero in studies
Nadippula heroHero in drama/acting
Roattilae romeoA Romeo on the streets
Padippula zeroZero in studies
Nadippula heroHero in drama/acting
Roattilae romeoA Romeo on the streets
Female
Pattikkaattu maamaaOh rustic uncle
Padippa marakkalaamaa aa aa aaShould you forget your education?
Vettip pechu pesiEngaging in useless gossip
Suthi thiriyalaamaaShould you wander aimlessly?
Female
Adippom sightChecking out girls
Adhu thaan rightThinking that alone is right
Endru irukkalaamaaShould you stay like this?
Alaiyoo alanju odambum melinjuWandering continuously, body getting thin
Veyilil karukkalaamaaShould you get tanned under the blazing sun?
Female
Padippula zeroZero in studies
Nadippula heroHero in drama/acting
Roattilae romeo…oo…A Romeo on the streets...
Padippula zeroZero in studies
Nadippula heroHero in drama/acting
Roattilae romeo…oo…A Romeo on the streets...
Female
College pengal pakkamAround college girls
Teenage kangal moikkumTeenage eyes swarm like flies
Ver yedhum vela illaThere is no other work to do
Vela senjaa jolly illa hooIf one works, there is no fun!
Female
Kalloori pennai enniPining for a college girl
Kaal valikka thavamum panniDoing penance until feet ache
Dhinam thorum yengalaamaaShould you yearn every single day?
Semathiyaaga vaangalaamaaShould you get beaten up soundly?
Female
Eppodhu thaanWhen exactly
Ungal ennam neraagumWill your thinking become straight?
Mm hm idhuMm hm, this
Ingu maara naalaagumWill take time to change here
Padippadhu avasiyamStudying is essential
Kidaippadhu anubavamExperience is what is gained
Idhu oru pudhu vidha thirukkural hae…This is a new kind of Thirukkural, hey!
Female
Padippula zeroZero in studies
Nadippula heroHero in drama/acting
Roattilae romeo…oo..A Romeo on the streets...
Padippula zeroZero in studies
Nadippula heroHero in drama/acting
Roattilae romeo…A Romeo on the streets...
Female
Pattikkaattu maamaaOh rustic uncle
Padippa marakkalaamaa aa aa aaShould you forget your education?
Vettip pechu pesiEngaging in useless gossip
Suthi thiriyalaamaaShould you wander aimlessly?
Female
Adippom sightChecking out girls
Adhu thaan rightThinking that alone is right
Endru irukkalaamaaShould you stay like this?
Alaiyoo alanju odambum melinjuWandering continuously, body getting thin
Veyilil karukkalaamaaShould you get tanned under the blazing sun?
Female
Unnoda padippai nambiRelying on your education
Nam naadu irukku thambiOur country depends on you, younger brother
Neeyaaga thirundhalaamaaCan you not reform yourself?
Thiramai undu varundhalaamaa hooYou have talent, why grieve?
Female
Unnoda appan paattanThe wealth that your father and forefathers
Ozhungaaga saetha panathaEarned and saved properly
Veenaaga azhikkalaamaaShould you destroy it wastefully?
Yeduthu sonnaal moraikkalaamaaIf pointed out, should you glare in anger?
Female
Sonnaaldhinam varumEvery time it is spoken, anger rises
Kovam theeraadhaaWill that anger never subside?
Pinnaal varum edhir kaalamThe future that lies ahead
ThondraadhaaDoes it not cross your mind?
Thiramaiyai valarthiduDevelop your skills
dhinam dhinam padithiduStudy every single day
Pala vidha ninaivinil alaigira manamaeOh mind that wanders in various thoughts!
Female
Padippula zeroZero in studies
Nadippula heroHero in drama/acting
Roattilae romeo…oo..hoo oo hooA Romeo on the streets...
Padippula zeroZero in studies
Nadippula heroHero in drama/acting
Roattilae romeo…A Romeo on the streets...
Female
Pattikkaattu maamaaOh rustic uncle
Padippa marakkalaamaa aa aa aaShould you forget your education?
Vettip pechu pesiEngaging in useless gossip
Suthi thiriyalaamaaShould you wander aimlessly?
Female
Adippom sightChecking out girls
Adhu thaan rightThinking that alone is right
Endru irukkalaamaaShould you stay like this?
Alaiyoo alanju odambum melinjuWandering continuously, body getting thin
Veyilil karukkalaamaaShould you get tanned under the blazing sun?
Female
Padippula zeroZero in studies
Nadippula heroHero in drama/acting
Roattilae romeo…A Romeo on the streets...
Padippula zeroZero in studies
Nadippula heroHero in drama/acting
Roattilae romeo…huuu…A Romeo on the streets...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Padippula Zero' from the 1983 Tamil film 'Ilamai Kaalangal' is a playful yet didactic track that addresses youth culture, procrastination, and lack of focus among college-going students. It humorously critiques young men who neglect their studies ('zero in studies') while pretending to be heroic or romantic ('hero in acting, Romeo on the road'). The song lightheartedly scolds them for wandering aimlessly, chasing girls, and wasting their parents' hard-earned money. Simultaneously, the lyricist Gangai Amaran imparts valuable moral guidance, emphasizing that education is the backbone of personal growth and national progress. It urges youth to drop their ego, reform themselves, hone their latent talents, and focus on building a secure future rather than squandering their young years on frivolous pursuits.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Emonai / Rhyme (Monai and Ethirai)

Padippula zero / Nadippula hero

The lyrics rely on snappy internal rhyming such as 'Padippula' and 'Nadippula', alongside 'zero' and 'hero', creating a rhythmic, memorable hook.

Metaphor / Literary Allusion

Roattilae romeo

Refers to street loafers as 'Romeo', using the famous Shakespearean romantic character metaphorically to describe young men pursuing love interest on roads.

Metaphor / Allusion to Tamil Literature

Idhu oru pudhu vidha thirukkural hae…

Compares practical advice given to youth to a modern version of 'Thirukkural', the ancient Tamil ethical treatise.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although listed with unknown credits in some records, 'Ilamai Kaalangal' (1983) featured a soundtrack composed by Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics penned by his brother Gangai Amaran, who also directed the film.

Keep listening

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