Pan Paadum
From Arasa Kattalai · 1967
- Lyricist
- Vaali
- Singer
- P. Susheela
- Music director
- K. V. Mahadevan
- Details
- Arasa Kattalai1967
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Panpaadum paravaiyae | O bird that sings culture, |
| Enna thookkam | What deep slumber is this? |
| Panpaadum paravaiyae | O bird that sings culture, |
| Enna thookkam | What deep slumber is this? |
| Un pazhangaala kadhai indru | Today, whom will your ancient story |
| Yaarai thaakkum | Strike or affect? |
| Thanneerum rathamum ondru thaanaa | Are water and blood the same? |
| Nee thaayattra kandru pol aagalaamaa | Should you become like a motherless calf? |
| Female | |
| Panpaadum paravaiyae | O bird that sings culture, |
| Enna thookkam | What deep slumber is this? |
| Un pazhangaala kadhai indru | Today, whom will your ancient story |
| Yaarai thaakkum | Strike or affect? |
| Thanneerum rathamum ondru thaanaa | Are water and blood the same? |
| Nee thaayattra kandru pol aagalaamaa | Should you become like a motherless calf? |
| Female | |
| Panpaadum paravaiyae | O bird that sings culture, |
| Enna thookkam | What deep slumber is this? |
| Female | |
| Aandaandu kaalam naam | For ages and ages, we |
| Aanda naadu | Have ruled this land, |
| Annai thandhai makkal suttram | Where mothers, fathers, children, and kinsfolk |
| Vaazhndha naadu | Have lived together; |
| Aandaandu kaalam naam aanda naadu | This is the land we ruled for ages and ages, |
| Annai thandhai makkal suttram | Where mothers, fathers, children, and kinsfolk |
| Vaazhndha naadu | Have lived together; |
| Thondraamal thondrum veerar sondha naadu | This is the homeland of heroes who emerge unexpectedly, |
| Thondraamal thondrum veerar sondha naadu | This is the homeland of heroes who emerge unexpectedly, |
| Thoongi thoongi sorndhu vittadhindha naadu | But today this land has become weary from continuous sleeping! |
| Female | |
| Panpaadum paravaiyae | O bird that sings culture, |
| Enna thookkam | What deep slumber is this? |
| Female | |
| Adimai vaazhvu paadaminnum | Should we still learn |
| Padikkalaamaa | The lesson of a life in slavery? |
| Nalla amudhamendru nanjai alli kudikkalaama | Should we scoop up poison and drink it, thinking it is fine nectar? |
| Adimai vaazhvu paadaminnum | Should we still learn |
| Padikkalaamaa | The lesson of a life in slavery? |
| Nalla amudhamendru nanjai alli kudikkalaama | Should we scoop up poison and drink it, thinking it is fine nectar? |
| Thannalathil inbangaana ninaikkalaamaa | Should one think of finding happiness only in selfishness? |
| Thannalathil inbangaana ninaikkalaamaa | Should one think of finding happiness only in selfishness? |
| Pettra thaayidathil anbillaamal irukkalaamaa | Can one remain without love towards the mother who gave birth? |
| Female | |
| Panpaadum paravaiyae | O bird that sings culture, |
| Enna thookkam | What deep slumber is this? |
| Female | |
| Pagutharindhu vaazhbavarai | For those who live with rational wisdom, |
| Sarithiram pesum | History will speak high praise; |
| Avar parambaraiyin kaalgal meedhum | Even upon the feet of their descendants, |
| Malargalai veesum | It will shower flowers; |
| Bayandhu varum adimaigalai | But slaves who cower in fear, |
| Poonaiyum yaesum | Even a cat will mock and scold! |
| Avan paal kuditha thaayai kooda | They will speak of even the mother whose milk they drank |
| Peiyena pesum | As if she were a ghost! |
| Female | |
| Kuditha paalil veeram kalandhu | Mixing heroism into the milk you drank, |
| Koduthaal undhan annai | Your mother fed you; |
| Kuditha piragum kurudaai irundhaal | If you remain blind even after drinking it, |
| Kozhai enbaal unnai | She herself will call you a coward! |
| Urimai kuralai uyarthi ingae | Raising the voice of your rights here, |
| Vidudhalai kaana thuditthu vaa | Come yearning and striving to attain freedom! |
| Urangiyadhellaam podhum podhum | Enough of all this sleeping, enough! |
| Udanae vizhithu ezhundhu vaa | Wake up immediately and rise! |
| Ezhundhu vaa ezhundhu vaa | Rise up! Rise up! |
பண்பாடும் பறவையே
என்ன தூக்கம்
பண்பாடும் பறவையே
என்ன தூக்கம்
உன் பழங்காலக் கதை இன்று
யாரைக் காக்கும்
தண்ணீரும் ரத்தமும் ஒன்றுதானா
நீ தாயற்ற கன்று போல் ஆகலாமா
O bird that sings culture,
What deep slumber is this?
O bird that sings culture,
What deep slumber is this?
Today, whom will your ancient story
Strike or affect?
Are water and blood the same?
Should you become like a motherless calf?
பண்பாடும் பறவையே
என்ன தூக்கம்
உன் பழங்காலக் கதை இன்று
யாரைக் காக்கும்
தண்ணீரும் ரத்தமும் ஒன்றுதானா
நீ தாயற்ற கன்று போல் ஆகலாமா
O bird that sings culture,
What deep slumber is this?
Today, whom will your ancient story
Strike or affect?
Are water and blood the same?
Should you become like a motherless calf?
பண்பாடும் பறவையே
என்ன தூக்கம்
O bird that sings culture,
What deep slumber is this?
ஆண்டாண்டு காலம் நாம் ஆண்ட நாடு
அன்னை தந்தை மக்கள் சுற்றம்
வாழ்ந்த நாடு
ஆண்டாண்டு காலம் நாம் ஆண்ட நாடு
அன்னை தந்தை மக்கள் சுற்றம்
வாழ்ந்த நாடு
தோன்றாமல் தோன்றும் வீரர் கொண்ட நாடு
தோன்றாமல் தோன்றும் வீரர் கொண்ட நாடு
தூங்கித் தூங்கி சோர்ந்து விட்டதிந்த நாடு
For ages and ages, we
Have ruled this land,
Where mothers, fathers, children, and kinsfolk
Have lived together;
This is the land we ruled for ages and ages,
Where mothers, fathers, children, and kinsfolk
Have lived together;
This is the homeland of heroes who emerge unexpectedly,
This is the homeland of heroes who emerge unexpectedly,
But today this land has become weary from continuous sleeping!
பண்பாடும் பறவையே
என்ன தூக்கம்
O bird that sings culture,
What deep slumber is this?
அடிமை வாழ்வுப் பாடம் இன்னும்
படிக்கலாமா
நல்ல அமுதம் என்று நஞ்சை அள்ளிக் குடிக்கலாமா
அடிமை வாழ்வுப் பாடம் இன்னும்
படிக்கலாமா
நல்ல அமுதம் என்று நஞ்சை அள்ளிக் குடிக்கலாமா
தன்னலத்தில் இன்பம் காண நினைக்கலாமா
தன்னலத்தில் இன்பம் காண நினைக்கலாமா
பெற்ற தாயிடத்தில் அன்பில்லாமல் இருக்கலாமா
Should we still learn
The lesson of a life in slavery?
Should we scoop up poison and drink it, thinking it is fine nectar?
Should we still learn
The lesson of a life in slavery?
Should we scoop up poison and drink it, thinking it is fine nectar?
Should one think of finding happiness only in selfishness?
Should one think of finding happiness only in selfishness?
Can one remain without love towards the mother who gave birth?
பண்பாடும் பறவையே
என்ன தூக்கம்
O bird that sings culture,
What deep slumber is this?
பகுத்தறிந்து வாழ்பவரை
சரித்திரம் பேசும்
அவர் பரம்பரையின் கால்கள் மீதும்
மலர்களை வீசும்
பயந்து வரும் அடிமைகளைப்
பூனையும் ஏசும்
அவன் பால் குடித்த தாயைக் கூட
பேய் எனப் பேசும்
For those who live with rational wisdom,
History will speak high praise;
Even upon the feet of their descendants,
It will shower flowers;
But slaves who cower in fear,
Even a cat will mock and scold!
They will speak of even the mother whose milk they drank
As if she were a ghost!
குடித்த பாலில் வீரம் கலந்து
கொடுத்தாள் உந்தன் அன்னை
குடித்த பிறகும் குருடாய் இருந்தால்
கோழை என்பாள் உன்னை
உரிமைக் குரலை உயர்த்தி இங்கே
விடுதலை காணத் துடித்து வா
உறங்கியதெல்லாம் போதும் போதும்
உடனே விழித்து எழுந்து வா
எழுந்து வா......எழுந்து வா.......
Mixing heroism into the milk you drank,
Your mother fed you;
If you remain blind even after drinking it,
She herself will call you a coward!
Raising the voice of your rights here,
Come yearning and striving to attain freedom!
Enough of all this sleeping, enough!
Wake up immediately and rise!
Rise up! Rise up!
Panpaadum paravaiyae
O bird that sings culture,
Enna thookkam
What deep slumber is this?
Panpaadum paravaiyae
O bird that sings culture,
Enna thookkam
What deep slumber is this?
Un pazhangaala kadhai indru
Today, whom will your ancient story
Yaarai thaakkum
Strike or affect?
Thanneerum rathamum ondru thaanaa
Are water and blood the same?
Nee thaayattra kandru pol aagalaamaa
Should you become like a motherless calf?
Panpaadum paravaiyae
O bird that sings culture,
Enna thookkam
What deep slumber is this?
Un pazhangaala kadhai indru
Today, whom will your ancient story
Yaarai thaakkum
Strike or affect?
Thanneerum rathamum ondru thaanaa
Are water and blood the same?
Nee thaayattra kandru pol aagalaamaa
Should you become like a motherless calf?
Panpaadum paravaiyae
O bird that sings culture,
Enna thookkam
What deep slumber is this?
Aandaandu kaalam naam
For ages and ages, we
Aanda naadu
Have ruled this land,
Annai thandhai makkal suttram
Where mothers, fathers, children, and kinsfolk
Vaazhndha naadu
Have lived together;
Aandaandu kaalam naam aanda naadu
This is the land we ruled for ages and ages,
Annai thandhai makkal suttram
Where mothers, fathers, children, and kinsfolk
Vaazhndha naadu
Have lived together;
Thondraamal thondrum veerar sondha naadu
This is the homeland of heroes who emerge unexpectedly,
Thondraamal thondrum veerar sondha naadu
This is the homeland of heroes who emerge unexpectedly,
Thoongi thoongi sorndhu vittadhindha naadu
But today this land has become weary from continuous sleeping!
Panpaadum paravaiyae
O bird that sings culture,
Enna thookkam
What deep slumber is this?
Adimai vaazhvu paadaminnum
Should we still learn
Padikkalaamaa
The lesson of a life in slavery?
Nalla amudhamendru nanjai alli kudikkalaama
Should we scoop up poison and drink it, thinking it is fine nectar?
Adimai vaazhvu paadaminnum
Should we still learn
Padikkalaamaa
The lesson of a life in slavery?
Nalla amudhamendru nanjai alli kudikkalaama
Should we scoop up poison and drink it, thinking it is fine nectar?
Thannalathil inbangaana ninaikkalaamaa
Should one think of finding happiness only in selfishness?
Thannalathil inbangaana ninaikkalaamaa
Should one think of finding happiness only in selfishness?
Pettra thaayidathil anbillaamal irukkalaamaa
Can one remain without love towards the mother who gave birth?
Panpaadum paravaiyae
O bird that sings culture,
Enna thookkam
What deep slumber is this?
Pagutharindhu vaazhbavarai
For those who live with rational wisdom,
Sarithiram pesum
History will speak high praise;
Avar parambaraiyin kaalgal meedhum
Even upon the feet of their descendants,
Malargalai veesum
It will shower flowers;
Bayandhu varum adimaigalai
But slaves who cower in fear,
Poonaiyum yaesum
Even a cat will mock and scold!
Avan paal kuditha thaayai kooda
They will speak of even the mother whose milk they drank
Peiyena pesum
As if she were a ghost!
Kuditha paalil veeram kalandhu
Mixing heroism into the milk you drank,
Koduthaal undhan annai
Your mother fed you;
Kuditha piragum kurudaai irundhaal
If you remain blind even after drinking it,
Kozhai enbaal unnai
She herself will call you a coward!
Urimai kuralai uyarthi ingae
Raising the voice of your rights here,
Vidudhalai kaana thuditthu vaa
Come yearning and striving to attain freedom!
Urangiyadhellaam podhum podhum
Enough of all this sleeping, enough!
Udanae vizhithu ezhundhu vaa
Wake up immediately and rise!
Ezhundhu vaa ezhundhu vaa
Rise up! Rise up!
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Panpaadum Paravaiyae is a powerful revolutionary awakening song from the 1967 Tamil film Arasa Kattalai. Addressing the populace metaphorically as a cultured songbird lost in deep slumber, the song laments the loss of historical pride, courage, and self-respect among people who have submitted to passive compliance and spiritual bondage. Lyricist Vaali uses striking imagery to challenge the audience: questioning whether they have forgotten their heroic roots and maternal duties, mistaking poison for nectar and servitude for safety. In the latter verses, the song emphasizes rational thinking, self-respect, and patriotic duty, urging citizens to rise up, claim their rights, and honor the brave heritage passed down by their ancestors.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor (Uruvam)
“Panpaadum paravaiyae”
Compares the sleeping, indifferent citizens to a songbird (Panpaadum paravai) that has forgotten its song and culture.
Simile (Uvamaani)
“Nee thaayattra kandru pol aagalaamaa”
Compares a directionless and helpless society to a motherless calf (thaayattra kandru).
Antithesis / Contrast
“Nalla amudhamendru nanjai alli kudikkalaama”
Juxtaposes sweet nectar (amudham) with deadly poison (nanjai) to highlight the folly of embracing servitude.
Alliteration & Rhyme (Monai and Edhugai)
“Kuditha paalil veeram kalandhu”
Utilizes rhythmic repetition of initial consonants (Kuditha / Koduthaal / Kuditha / Kozhai) to build motivational momentum.
Did you know?
Trivia
Arasa Kattalai (1967) is a historic swashbuckler film starring M. G. Ramachandran (MGR), B. Saroja Devi, and J. Jayalalithaa. The music was composed by K. V. Mahadevan and the lyrics were written by Vaali, with playback vocals by T. M. Soundararajan. This song served a dual purpose as a dramatic cinematic element and an ideological anthem for MGR's Dravidian political movement during the pivotal late-1960s period in Tamil Nadu politics.
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