Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Pagaliley Chandiranai

From Kulamagal Radhai · 1963

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Kulamagal Radhai1963

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Pagalilae chandhiranaiI went to see the moon during the daytime,
Paarkka ponenI went to see,
Avan iravilae varuvadhaagaThat he would only arrive at night,
Oruthi sonnaal…A woman told me...
Female
Pagalilae chandhiranaiI went to see the moon during the daytime,
Paarkka ponenI went to see,
Avan iravilae varuvadhaagaThat he would only arrive at night,
Oruthi sonnaal…A woman told me...
Female
Iravilae avanai kaanaTo see him in the dark night,
Naanum nadappenI too shall walk,
Iravilae avanai kaanaTo see him in the dark night,
Naanum nadappenI too shall walk,
Avan ellorum paarkkum padiSo that everyone can behold him,
Uyarathil iruppaanHe will remain high up in the sky.
Female
Pagalilae chandhiranaiI went to see the moon during the daytime,
Paarkka ponenI went to see,
Avan iravilae varuvadhaagaThat he would only arrive at night,
Oruthi sonnaal…A woman told me...
Female
{Kadalilae meen pidikka{ To catch fish in the sea,
Naanum ponenI too went,
Meen karaiyeri ponadhaagaThat the fish climbed onto the shore and left,
Oruthi sonnaal} (2)A woman told me } (2)
Female
Padagilae manadhai yaetriLoading my heart onto a boat,
Paarkka ponenI went to see,
Padagilae manadhai yaetriLoading my heart onto a boat,
Paarkka ponenI went to see,
Adhu paaraiyilae modhum padiFor it to crash against the rocks,
Oruthi sonnaalA woman told me,
Female
Pagalilae chandhiranaiI went to see the moon during the daytime,
Paarkka ponenI went to see,
Avan iravilae varuvadhaagaThat he would only arrive at night,
Oruthi sonnaal…A woman told me...
Female
{Aalayathil aandavanai{ To see God in the temple,
Paarkka ponenI went to see,
Aval artha jaama poojaiyilaeShe asked me to see Him,
Paarkka sonnaal} (2)During the midnight worship } (2)
Female
Maalai ondru kaiyil konduCarrying a garland in my hands,
Naanum ponenI too went,
Maalai ondru kaiyil konduCarrying a garland in my hands,
Naanum ponenI too went,
Aval malarai mattum udhirthu vittuStripping off only the flowers,
Poga sonnaalShe told me to leave,
Female
Pagalilae chandhiranaiI went to see the moon during the daytime,
Paarkka ponenI went to see,
Avan iravilae varuvadhaagaThat he would only arrive at night,
Oruthi sonnaal…A woman told me...
Female
Iravilae avanai kaanaTo see him in the dark night,
Naanum nadappenI too shall walk,
Avan ellorum paarkkum padiSo that everyone can behold him,
Uyarathil iruppaanHe will remain high up in the sky.
Female
Pagalilae chandhiranaiI went to see the moon during the daytime,
Paarkka ponenI went to see,
Avan iravilae varuvadhaagaThat he would only arrive at night,
Oruthi sonnaal…A woman told me...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Pagalilae Chandhiranai' uses rich allegorical imagery to depict a protagonist navigating elusive love, paradoxes, and elusive promises. By trying to view the moon during the day or search for fish that allegedly walked onto dry land, the narrator conveys the futility of seeking romantic fulfillment when guided by contradictory or deceptive expectations set by a beloved.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Paradox / Irony

Pagalilae chandhiranai Paarkka ponen

Looking for the moon during the day or expecting a fish to walk onto land creates surreal, ironic imagery that highlights unattainable goals.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Padagilae manadhai yaetri

Comparing the heart to cargo on a boat sailing towards rocky shores symbolizes placing emotional trust in a perilous relationship.

Anaphora / Repetition

Oruthi sonnaal…

The rhythmic repetition of 'Oruthi sonnaal' reinforces the central theme of relying on the words and directions of a woman.

Did you know?

Trivia

Featured in the 1963 Tamil film 'Kulamagal Radhai' starring Sivaji Ganesan and B. Saroja Devi, this timeless track was composed by K. V. Mahadevan, written by Kannadasan, and sung by T. M. Soundararajan.

Keep listening

More from Kulamagal Radhai