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Isaimozhi
Paava Mannippu album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Paalirukkum Pazhamirukkum

From Paava Mannippu · 1961

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Paava Mannippu
Movie release year
1961
Lyrics added on
9 May 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Paal irukum
Mmhmm
Pazham irukum
Mmhmm
Pasi irukaathu
Ohoo
Panjanaiyil
Kaatru varum thookam varaathu
Hmm hmm
Panjanaiyil
Kaatru varum thookam varaathu
Naalu
Vagai gunamirukum
Mmhmm….
Female : Aasai vidaathu
Naalu
Vagai gunamirukum
Aasai vidaathu
Nadaka
Varum kaalgalukum
Thunivirukaathu
Paal irukum
Mmhmm
Pazham irukum
Mmhmm
Pasi irukaathu
Ohoo
Panjanaiyil
Kaatru varum
{ Thookam varaathu } (2)
Kattavizhntha
Kanirandum ungalai thedum
Paathi kanavu vanthu
Marupadiyum kangalai moodum
……………………
Kattavizhntha
Kanirandum ungalai thedum
Kanavu vanthu marupadiyum
Kangalai moodum
Pattu nila
Vaanveliyil kaaviyam paadum
Konda palliyarai pen
Manathil porkalamaagum
…………………..
Paal irukum
Mmhmm
Pazham irukum
Mmhmm
Pasi irukaathu
Ohoo
Panjanaiyil
Kaatru varum
{ Thookam varaathu } (2)
Kaadhaluku
Jaathi illai mathamum illaiyae
Kangal pesum vaarthaiyilae
Betham illaiyae
……………………….
Kaadhaluku
Jaathi illai mathamum illaiyae
Kangal pesum vaarthaiyilae
Betham illaiyae
Vethamellam
Kaadhalaiyae marupathillaiyae
Adhu megam seitha uruvam
Polae maraivathillaiyae
Paal irukum
Mmhmm
Pazham irukum
Mmhmm
Pasi irukaathu
Ohoo
Panjanaiyil
Kaatru varum
{ Thookam varaathu } (3)
……………………
There will be milk,
Mmhmm,
There will be fruit,
Mmhmm,
Yet there will be no hunger.
Oho!
On the soft bed,
A breeze will blow, but sleep will not come.
Mm mm,
On the soft bed,
A breeze will blow, but sleep will not come.
The four
Traditional virtues may hold sway,
Mmhmm...
Yet longing will not let go.
The four
Traditional virtues may hold sway,
Yet longing will not let go.
To step forward,
Even the feet that wish to walk
Will lack the courage.
There will be milk,
Mmhmm,
There will be fruit,
Mmhmm,
Yet there will be no hunger.
Oho!
On the soft bed,
A breeze will blow,
{ But sleep will not come } (2)
Wide awake,
Both eyes will search for you.
A passing dream will arrive,
And close the eyes once more.
...
Wide awake,
Both eyes will search for you.
A dream will arrive once more,
And close the eyes.
The silky moon
Sings poetry across the open sky;
Inside the bridal chamber, the woman's
Heart turns into a battlefield.
...
There will be milk,
Mmhmm,
There will be fruit,
Mmhmm,
Yet there will be no hunger.
Oho!
On the soft bed,
A breeze will blow,
{ But sleep will not come } (2)
For love,
There is no caste or religion;
In the words spoken by the eyes,
There is no division.
...
For love,
There is no caste or religion;
In the words spoken by the eyes,
There is no division.
Even the holy scriptures
Do not deny true love;
Unlike a shape formed in the clouds,
It never fades away.
There will be milk,
Mmhmm,
There will be fruit,
Mmhmm,
Yet there will be no hunger.
Oho!
On the soft bed,
A breeze will blow,
{ But sleep will not come } (3)
...
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This classic melody from 'Paava Mannippu' expresses the inner conflict, yearning, and social barriers faced by lovers. Through evocative imagery, lyricist Kannadasan contrasts physical luxury—such as rich milk, fruit, and a soft bed—with the emotional turmoil that robs a lover of sleep and appetite. The song captures the hesitation and fear that societal norms impose, even when the heart desires unity. In the latter half, the song delivers a powerful philosophical message about love transcending human division. It asserts that love recognizes no caste or religion, and that silent understanding through the eyes holds no bias. Scriptures themselves do not oppose love, and unlike temporary formations of clouds in the sky, genuine love is eternal and unwavering.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Paradox / Irony (Ethirsol / Paradox)

“Paal irukum... Pasi irukaathu”

Contrasting physical abundance and comfort with mental distress (having food but no hunger, having a soft bed and breeze but no sleep).

Monaikkal (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

“Paal irukum... Pazham irukum... Pasi irukaathu”

Repetition of the 'Pa' consonant sound at the start of consecutive phrases ('Paal', 'Pazham', 'Pasi', 'Panjanaiyil').

Personification & Metaphor

“Pattu nila vaanveliyil kaaviyam paadum”

Attributing human speech to eyes ('Kangal pesum vaarthaiyil') and comparing the moonlit sky to an epic poem ('Pattu nila vaanveliyil kaaviyam paadum').

Simile (Upama)

“Adhu megam seitha uruvam polae maraivathillaiyae”

Comparing love to cloud shapes to emphasize its permanence by stating love is *not* transient like clouds.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by the legendary duo Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy for the 1961 blockbuster movie 'Paava Mannippu', this song features vocals by T. M. Soundararajan and P. Susheela. The film is celebrated for its themes of interfaith harmony, with Kannadasan's lyrics playing a major role in embedding progressive social messages into mainstream Tamil cinema.

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