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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Palum Pazhamum

From Palum Pazhamum · 1961

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Details
Palum Pazhamum1961

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
…………………Milk and fruit
Male
{ Paalum pazhamumHolding in your hands, with coral-
Kaigalil yendhi pavazha-like mouth scattering a smile, like a beautiful
Vaayil punnagai sindhi kolaPeacock, will you come?
Mayil pol nee varuvayaeOh sweet-talking parrot, please find peace.
Konjum kiliyae amaidhi kolvayae } (2)Milk and fruit
Male
{ Unnum azhagaiHolding in your hands, with coral-
Paarthirupayae uranga-like mouth scattering a smile, like a beautiful
Vaidhae vizhithirupayae } (2)Peacock, will you come?
Male
{ KannaiOh sweet-talking parrot, please find peace.
Imaipol kaathirupayaeYour eating beauty
Kaadhar kodiyae kan malarvayae } (2)I would watch without sleeping
Male
Paalum pazhamumKeeping myself awake for you
Kaigalil yendhi pavazhaYour eating beauty
Vaayil punnagai sindhi kolaI would watch without sleeping
Mayil pol nee varuvayaeKeeping myself awake for you
Konjum kiliyae amaidhi kolvayaeThe eye
Male
{ Pinju mugathinProtecting like an eyelid
Oli ilanthaayae pesiOh beloved creeper, blossom your eyes!
Pazhagum mozhi marandhaayae } (2)The eye
Male
{ Anji nadakumProtecting like an eyelid
Nadai melindhaayaeOh beloved creeper, blossom your eyes!
Anna kodiyae amaidhi kolvaayae } (2)Milk and fruit
Male
Paalum pazhamumHolding in your hands, with coral-
Kaigalil yendhi pavazha-like mouth scattering a smile, like a beautiful
Vaayil punnagai sindhi kolaPeacock, will you come?
Mayil pol nee varuvayaeOh sweet-talking parrot, please find peace.
Konjum kiliyae amaidhi kolvayaeOn your tender face
Male
{ Eendra thaayaiYou lost the radiance, and forgot
Naan kandadhillai enadhuThe spoken language you were familiar with
Deivam verengum illai } (2)On your tender face
Male
{ Uyirai koduthumYou lost the radiance, and forgot
Unai naan kaapenThe spoken language you were familiar with
Udhaya nilavae kan thuyilvayae } (2)Fearfully walking,
Male
Paalum pazhamumYour gait has become frail
Kaigalil yendhi pavazhaOh swan-like maiden, please find peace!
Vaayil punnagai sindhi kolaFearfully walking,
Mayil pol nee varuvayaeYour gait has become frail
Konjum kiliyae amaidhi kolvayaeOh swan-like maiden, please find peace!
Male
……………………Milk and fruit

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant song from the 1961 classic film 'Paalum Pazhamum' expresses deep affection, comfort, and unconditional devotion towards a beloved who is in a vulnerable state. The speaker reminisces about her graceful, joyful presence when she brought milk and fruit with a sweet smile, contrasting it with her present frailty and distress. Expressing protective affection, the singer compares safeguarding her to an eyelid protecting the eye and vows to give up life itself to protect her, seeing in her the divine warmth of a mother he never knew.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Mayil pol nee varuvayae

Compares the grace and beauty of the beloved's arrival to that of a peacock ('Mayil pol').

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Kaadhar kodiyae kan malarvayae

Addresses the beloved as a blooming vine of love ('Kaadhar kodiyae') and a rising moon ('Udhaya nilavae').

Simile (Upamai)

Imaipol kaathirupayae

Compares protective vigilance to an eyelid safeguarding the eye ('Imaipol').

Alliteration (Monai)

Paalum pazhamum

Repetition of the initial sound 'Pa' in 'Paalum' and 'pazhamum'.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Paalum Pazhamum' (1961) was directed by A. Bhimsingh and starred Sivaji Ganesan and B. Saroja Devi. The music was composed by the iconic duo Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy with lyrics penned by Kannadasan. This emotional melody sung by T. M. Soundararajan is considered one of the evergreen classics of Tamil cinema.

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