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Lyrics & meaning

Pallikoodam Pogama Padatha

From Ini Oru Sudhanthiram · 1987

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singers
Venkat Prabhu, Premji
Music director
Gangai Amaran
Details
Ini Oru Sudhanthiram1987

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Arasa maram thedi amarntha pillaiyaaraeO Lord Ganesha, who searched for and sat under the sacred fig tree
Nee endha palliyilum ennai pol padichadhundaaDid you ever study in any school like I do?
Padikaama bharathatha padapadannu ezhuthiniyaeWithout studying, you wrote the Mahabharata so fluently
Enakkandha gnyaanatha pirappilae kodukkaliyaeWhy did you not give me such divine wisdom at birth?
Pona jenmama naanga senja paavathula ippa indhaDue to the sins we committed in our past life, now in this life
Pallikoodam vandhuttu thaan thittughala vaangikkiromWe come to school only to receive scoldings
Male
Pallikoodam pogama paadatha padikkamaWithout going to school, without studying lessons
Paritchaiyum ezhudhaamaAnd without writing exams
Naangha paasaaga venum pillaiyaaraeWe must pass, O Lord Ganesha!
Chorus
Pallikoodam pogama paadatha padikkamaWithout going to school, without studying lessons
Paritchaiyum ezhudhaamaAnd without writing exams
Naangha paasaaga venum pillaiyaaraeWe must pass, O Lord Ganesha!
Male
Adhukku unakku ethana thengha venumHow many coconuts do you need for that?
Chorus :Adhukku unakku ethana thengha venumChorus: How many coconuts do you need for that?
Chorus
Pallikoodam pogama paadatha padikkamaWithout going to school, without studying lessons
Paritchaiyum ezhudhaamaAnd without writing exams
Naangha paasaaga venum pillaiyaaraeWe must pass, O Lord Ganesha!
Male
{Admission vangida thaanJust to get school admission
Alaiyuraangha engappaMy father wanders around endlessly
Male
Avanga padum thunbathathaanThe suffering that he goes through
Solla vaarthai illaiyappa} (2)There are no words to describe it, father
Male
Pallikoodam neraiya irunthumJust to get school admission
Edam kedaikkavillaiyappaaMy father wanders around endlessly
Male
Palliyil idam kedaichaaThe suffering that he goes through
Paadam yeravillaiyaeThere are no words to describe it, father
Chorus
Pallikoodam pogama paadatha padikkamaEven though there are plenty of schools
Paritchaiyum ezhudhaamaWe do not get a seat anywhere
Naangha paasaaga venum pillaiyaaraeEven if we get a seat in school
Male
Adhukku unakku ethana thengha venumThe lessons do not enter our heads!
Chorus :Adhukku unakku ethana thengha venumWithout going to school, without studying lessons
Male
{Teacherukku mood irunthaAnd without writing exams
Nalla solli kodupanghaWe must pass, O Lord Ganesha!
Male
Veetula thaan sandaiyinaaHow many coconuts do you need for that?
Sidi sidunnu viluvangha} (2)Chorus: How many coconuts do you need for that?
Male
Homework seiya solliIf the teacher is in a good mood
Odha odhannu odhaippaanghaThey will teach us nicely
Male
Vaaram vaaram test vechiIf they have a fight at home
Vaatti vaatti eduppaanghaThey snap at us with frustration
Male
Pallikoodam pogama paadatha padikkamaIf the teacher is in a good mood
Paritchaiyum ezhudhaamaThey will teach us nicely
Naangha paasaaga venum pillaiyaaraeIf they have a fight at home
Chorus
Pallikoodam pogama paadatha padikkamaThey snap at us with frustration
Paritchaiyum ezhudhaamaTelling us to do our homework
Naangha paasaaga venum pillaiyaaraeThey beat us up soundly
Male
Adhukku unakku ethana thengha venumConducting tests week after week
Chorus :Adhukku unakku ethana thengha venumThey torment and drain us
Chorus
Pallikoodam pogama paadatha padikkamaWithout going to school, without studying lessons
Paritchaiyum ezhudhaamaAnd without writing exams
Naangha paasaaga venum pillaiyaaraeWe must pass, O Lord Ganesha!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful track from 'Ini Oru Sudhanthiram' (1987) presents a humorous satire on the struggles of school life through the perspective of innocent children. The kids address Lord Ganesha (Pillaiyar), noting how he effortlessly scribed the epic Mahabharata without ever attending school, and request him to grant them effortless success in their education without forcing them to attend classes or write exams.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Erattai Kilavi (Onomatopoeia)

Padikaama bharathatha padapadannu ezhuthiniyae

Use of rhythmic sound-words like 'padapadannu' (rapidly) and 'sidi sidunnu' (irritably) to vividly depict action and emotion.

Monaai (Initial Alliteration)

Pallikoodam pogama paadatha padikkama / Paritchaiyum ezhudhaama

Repetition of the initial 'Pa' sound across consecutive lines to create melodic rhythm.

Satire and Personification

Adhukku unakku ethana thengha venum

Playfully treating the deity Ganesha as a school peer while satirizing the modern educational system, admission struggles, and erratic teacher behaviors.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by lyricist Gangai Amaran for the 1987 film 'Ini Oru Sudhanthiram' directed by K. Bhagyaraj, the song cleverly juxtaposes classical mythology (Ganesha writing the Mahabharata for Sage Vyasa) with contemporary student grievances regarding school admissions, strict teachers, and examination anxiety.

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