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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Pagal Iravaai Vayathaagi

From Amarakavi · 1952

Lyricist
Suratha
Singer
P. Leela
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Details
Amarakavi1952

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics↻ English translation
Female
Pagal iravaal vayadhaagiAging through day and night,
Kondu varum ivvulagamThis world continuously brings forth time,
Pagal iravaal vayadhaagiAging through day and night,
Kondu varum ivvulagam…aaa…aaaThis world brings it forth... ah... ah...
Peridhaaga paesum idhaiyae…ye …ye…It boasts so grandly about this very thing... yeah... yeah...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

These philosophical lines reflect on the relentless passage of time marked by the eternal alternation of day and night. As days turn into nights, the world itself matures and ages, carrying creation along its continuous cycle. The lyricist subtly critiques how people grandly boast about earthly matters despite being bound by this fleeting and aging reality.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Antithesis (Muran)

“Pagal iravaal vayadhaagi”

The pairing of contrasting words 'Pagal' (day) and 'Iravu' (night) to represent the complete cycle of time.

Personification

“Kondu varum ivvulagam”

Attributing the human characteristic of growing old ('vayadhaagi') to the physical world ('ivvulagam').

Monaai (Initial Alliteration)

“Peridhaaga paesum idhaiyae…ye …ye…”

Repetition of the initial sound ('Pe') in 'Peridhaaga' and 'Paesum'.

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Trivia

The lyrics were penned by the legendary Tamil poet Suratha, famously hailed as 'Uvamai Kavagnar' (The Poet of Metaphors) for his rich use of similes. 'Amarakavi' (1952) marked one of the key film projects for superstar M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar following his prison release.

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