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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Panam Mattum

From Solla Marandha Kadhai · 2002

Lyricist
Isaignani Ilayaraja
Singer
Ilayaraja
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Solla Marandha Kadhai2002

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Panam mattum vaazhkkaiyaaIs money alone life
Indha paazhaa ponaa manushanukkuFor this ruined human being?
Male
Panam mattum vaazhkkaiyaaIs money alone life
Indha paazhaa ponaa manushanukkuFor this ruined human being?
Male
Panam mattum vaazhkkaiyaaIs money alone life
Indha paazhaa ponaa manushanukkuFor this ruined human being?
Panam endraal kadhavellaam therakkudhuWhen money speaks, all doors open
Kanavilae midhakkudhu parakkudhuFloating and flying in dreams
Manasu thaan theru naayaa engo alaiyudhuBut the mind wanders somewhere like a stray dog
Male
Panam mattum vaazhkkaiyaaIs money alone life
Indha paazhaa ponaa manushanukkuFor this ruined human being?
Panam mattum vaazhkkaiyaaIs money alone life
Indha paazhaa ponaa manushanukkuFor this ruined human being?
Male
Mirugam vandhu manusha manasilaeA beast enters the human mind
Ulla nozhanju otti aattudhuCreeps inside and dictates terms
Male
Uruttum porattum kooda cheravaeAs deceit and fraud join in
Kuruttu ulagil kudumbam nadathudhuIt runs a family in a blind world
Male
Vela koduthu porula vaangiYou can buy things by paying a price
Veettukkullae koottalaamAnd gather them inside your house
Vaazhkkaikkenna vela koduppaWhat price will you pay for life?
Neeyum sollu paakkalaamYou tell me, let us see
Male
Paasam ellaam manushanukkuAll affection for a human
Panathu mela pogudhuIs now directed towards money
Paazhadainja aramanaiyaaLike a ruined, dilapidated palace
Paavi nenju maarudhuThe sinner's heart is transformed
Ezhandhadhum puriyalaWhat is lost is not understood
Vazhi yedhum theriyalaNo way ahead is visible
Male
Panam mattum vaazhkkaiyaaIs money alone life
Indha paazhaa ponaa manushanukkuFor this ruined human being?
Panam mattum vaazhkkaiyaaIs money alone life
Indha paazhaa ponaa manushanukkuFor this ruined human being?
Male
Manadhil nalla manidhan nee endraalIf you are a good person at heart
Maadi veedum ullae azhaikkumaeEven a mansion will invite you inside
Male
Maanathodu irukka ninaippadhaalBut because you wish to live with dignity
Madhithidaadhu veliyil thurathumaeIt disrespects and chases you out
Male
Ulagam romba virinjirukkuThe world is vastly spread out
Unakku idam illaiyaaIs there no space for you?
Un edatha yevan eduppaanWho can snatch your rightful place?
Urudhi unakku illaiyaaDo you lack that confidence?
Male
Yaer munaiyaal kaayam pattaalIf wounded by the tip of the plow
Endha nilam azhugudhuWhich land ever cries?
Uzhuvadhellaam velachalukkuAll plowing is for the harvest
Unakku nalla padippidhuThis is a good lesson for you
Uzhavu thaan nadandhadhuPlowing has taken place
Velachal thaan irukkudhuHarvest is surely there
Male
Panam mattum vaazhkkaiyaaIs money alone life
Indha paazhaa ponaa manushanukkuFor this ruined human being?
Panam mattum vaazhkkaiyaaIs money alone life
Indha paazhaa ponaa manushanukkuFor this ruined human being?
Panam endraal kadhavellaam therakkudhuWhen money speaks, all doors open
Kanavilae midhakkudhu parakkudhuFloating and flying in dreams
Manasu thaan theru naayaa engo alaiyudhuBut the mind wanders somewhere like a stray dog
Male
Panam mattum vaazhkkaiyaaIs money alone life
Indha paazhaa ponaa manushanukkuFor this ruined human being?
Panam mattum vaazhkkaiyaaIs money alone life
Indha paazhaa ponaa manushanukkuFor this ruined human being?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Panam Mattum Vaazhkkaiyaa from Solla Marandha Kadhai (2002) is a deeply philosophical song composed by Ilaiyaraaja that questions humanity's obsession with material wealth. The lyrics lament how money has taken center stage in human relationships, corrupting human empathy and transforming minds into self-serving entities. It sharply contrasts material acquisition with true life value, dignity, and self-respect, reminding the listener that while money can open material doors, it cannot buy genuine peace or essential life value. Drawing upon rich agrarian imagery, the song encourages resilience, self-reliance, and faith in hard work. Just as the land endures the plow's cuts to yield a bountiful harvest, a person who stays true to their values despite societal rejection will eventually reap the rewards of their integrity.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Uvamai)

Manasu thaan theru naayaa engo alaiyudhu

Compares the restless, unfulfilled mind driven by greed to a stray dog wandering aimlessly.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Paazhadainja aramanaiyaa Paavi nenju maarudhu

Compares the corrupt, sinful heart of a person pursuing money to a deserted, ruined palace.

Agrarian Allegory (Thinaiporul)

Yaer munaiyaal kaayam pattaal Endha nilam azhugudhu

Uses the metaphor of plowing land and enduring pain to symbolize hard work leading to a fruitful life harvest.

Alliteration (Monai)

Panam mattum vaazhkkaiyaa Indha paazhaa ponaa manushanukku

Repetition of initial consonant sound 'P' creating poetic rhythm across the refrains.

Did you know?

Trivia

Solla Marandha Kadhai (2002) was directed by Cheran based on the popular Tamil novel Thalaikeezh Vigithangal by N. Muthuswamy. Director Cheran himself starred as the protagonist in the film, and Ilaiyaraaja composed the music as well as penned the lyrics for this song, showcasing his signature folk-philosophical lyricism.

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