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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Pale Per Vazhi Kanappa

From Raja Sevai · 1959

Lyricist
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
Singers
A. L. Ragavan, Trichy Loganathan
Music director
T. V. Raju
Details
Raja Sevai1959

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Palapaer vazhi kannappaOh Kannappa who goes by many names and clever ways!
Innum paaramugamum ennappaWhy do you still turn an indifferent face towards us?
Paaya suruttiya veerappaOh brave one who rolled up the mat and departed!
Maayajaalan neeyappaYou are a master of magic and illusions!
Puvi baktha kodigalai paarappaLook at the millions of devotees on this earth!
Male
Palapaer vazhi kannappaOh Kannappa who goes by many names and clever ways!
Innum paaramugamum ennappaWhy do you still turn an indifferent face towards us?
Male
Kadamai tahvaraadha nalla manidhargalaiThe good people who never fail in their duty,
Kattulae pottu vatti vadhaikkiraYou trap them in severe troubles and torment them!
Kadamai tahvaraadha nalla manidhargalaiThe good people who never fail in their duty,
Kattulae pottu vatti vadhaikkiraYou trap them in severe troubles and torment them!
Kanavanum manaiviyum kandrudan pasuvumHusband and wife, along with the cow and its calf,
Kadhari thavithida piriya veikkuraYou separate them, leaving them weeping and agonizing!
Kanavanum manaiviyum kandrudan pasuvumHusband and wife, along with the cow and its calf,
Kadhari thavithida piriya veikkuraYou separate them, leaving them weeping and agonizing!
Male
Kaikkullae sorgathai kattumShowing a promised paradise right within the palm of your hand,
Kaikaarappa kaelappaOh clever cunning man, listen to this!
Kaikkullae sorgathai kattumShowing a promised paradise right within the palm of your hand,
Kaikaarappa kaelappaOh clever cunning man, listen to this!
Male
Palapaer vazhi kannappaOh Kannappa who goes by many names and clever ways!
Innum paaramugamum ennappaWhy do you still turn an indifferent face towards us?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a witty, philosophical folk-style complaint (Nindha Stuthi) addressed to the divine/Kannappa. It questions divine indifference towards righteous people who perform their duty faithfully yet endure hardships and separation from their loved ones. Using rustic imagery such as a calf separated from its cow, the lyricist playfully reproaches God for displaying magical illusions while ignoring the true plight of worldly devotees.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Nindha Stuthi (Satirical Praise)

Maayajaalan neeyappa

Criticizing and playfully scolding the deity for human suffering while acknowledging His divine powers.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Kannappa / ennappa / veerappa / neeyappa / paarappa

The repetitive suffix '-appa' across line endings creates a rhythmic folk song structure.

Moonaai (Initial Alliteration)

Kaikkullae sorgathai kattum Kaikaarappa kaelappa

Repetition of the initial 'Ka' sound across words in the phrase.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song from Raja Sevai (1959) features lyrics by Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass, who was renowned for bringing street-theater flair, social commentary, and accessible folk humor into 1950s Tamil cinema soundtracks.

Keep listening

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