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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Pandhaiyathula Kalandhirukkura

From Lakshmi (1979) · 1979

Lyricist
Aalangudi Somu
Singer
Vani Jairam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Lakshmi (1979)1979

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Pandhaiyathula kalandhirukkuraParticipating in the race
Singaara kuyilaeOh beautiful cuckoo
Adi singaara kuyilaeHey beautiful cuckoo
Un sangadhi ellaam kaatuShow all your musical variations
Parakkumadi noteCurrency notes will fly, girl
Sangadhi ellaam kaatuShow all your musical variations
Parakkumadi noteCurrency notes will fly, girl
Thanga manasu alli kodukkumA golden heart will give generously
Vaangikkadaa raamaaAccept it, Rama
Female
Pandhaiyathula kalandhirukkuraParticipating in the race
Singaara kuyilaeOh beautiful cuckoo
Adi singaara kuyilaeHey beautiful cuckoo
Un sangadhi ellaam kaatuShow all your musical variations
Parakkumadi noteCurrency notes will fly, girl
Thanga manasu alli kodukkumA golden heart will give generously
Vaangikkadaa raamaaAccept it, Rama
Female
Kumbalai ellaam paathuLook at the entire crowd
Oru kumbidu podu kettuOffer them a respectful greeting
Pombala kitta vambukku vandhaaIf someone comes to pick a fight with a woman
Yembuttu periya koothuWhat a massive scene it becomes!
Female
Kumbalai ellaam paathuLook at the entire crowd
Oru kumbidu podu kettuOffer them a respectful greeting
Pombala kitta vambukku vandhaaIf someone comes to pick a fight with a woman
Yembuttu periya koothuWhat a massive scene it becomes!
Female
Pasikkira variyaattamLike a hungry predator on the prowl
Pala vidha kannottamGlances of various kinds
Pudichaalum idichaalumWhether caught or bumped into
Podhiya mattum vittu viduvomaaWill we ever let go of our stash?
Female
Pandhaiyathula kalandhirukkuraParticipating in the race
Singaara kuyilaeOh beautiful cuckoo
Adi singaara kuyilaeHey beautiful cuckoo
Un sangadhi ellaam kaatuShow all your musical variations
Parakkumadi noteCurrency notes will fly, girl
Thanga manasu alli kodukkumA golden heart will give generously
Vaangikkadaa raamaaAccept it, Rama
Female
Sambalam vaangina thaedhiOn the day salary was received
Un sattaiyil irundha meedhiThe remainder that was in your shirt pocket
Sangada pattu muzhikkiraiyaeYou stare blankly in distress
Nadandhadhenna saedhiWhat is the news of what happened?
Female
Sambalam vaangina thaedhiOn the day salary was received
Un sattaiyil irundha meedhiThe remainder that was in your shirt pocket
Sangada pattu muzhikkiraiyaeYou stare blankly in distress
Nadandhadhenna saedhiWhat is the news of what happened?
Female
Sirikkira dheivaanaSmiling Deivana
Sariyudhu mundhaanaHer pallu slips down
Paarthaalum rasichaalumEven if one looks and admires
Paruva ponnae onna marandhidalaamaaYoung girl, can one ever forget you?
Female
Pandhaiyathula kalandhirukkuraParticipating in the race
Singaara kuyilaeOh beautiful cuckoo
Adi singaara kuyilaeHey beautiful cuckoo
Un sangadhi ellaam kaatuShow all your musical variations
Parakkumadi noteCurrency notes will fly, girl
Thanga manasu alli kodukkumA golden heart will give generously
Vaangikkadaa raamaaAccept it, Rama
Female
Buttaa potta saelaSaree printed with polka dots
Adhu izhukkudhadi aalaIt pulls people in, girl
Chittukkuruvi nenappulaThinking you are a sparrow
Nee kaatturiyae velaYou are playing tricks
Female
Buttaa potta saelaSaree printed with polka dots
Adhu izhukkudhadi aalaIt pulls people in, girl
Chittukkuruvi nenappulaThinking you are a sparrow
Nee kaatturiyae velaYou are playing tricks
Female
Odhaikkira kondaattamCelebration of kicking around
Edhukkindha pandhaattamWhy this pretense and posturing?
Pazhasa yellaam marandhu puttuForgetting everything from the past
Pudhusa enni buthi kedalaamaaShould one lose their wisdom thinking of new things?
Female
Pandhaiyathula kalandhirukkuraParticipating in the race
Singaara kuyilaeOh beautiful cuckoo
Adi singaara kuyilaeHey beautiful cuckoo
Un sangadhi ellaam kaatuShow all your musical variations
Parakkumadi noteCurrency notes will fly, girl
Thanga manasu alli kodukkumA golden heart will give generously
Vaangikkadaa raamaaAccept it, Rama
Thanga manasu alli kodukkumA golden heart will give generously
Vaangikkadaa raamaaAccept it, Rama
Raamaa ae raamaa raamaa ae raamaaRama hey Rama, Rama hey Rama
Raamaa arae raamaa raamaa arae raamaaRama arae Rama, Rama arae Rama

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This playful and upbeat song centers around a lively performance scene where a singer or performer is addressed as a beautiful cuckoo competing in a race. The lyrics urge the performer to showcase their full musical talents ('sangadhi'), promising that appreciative audience members will throw currency notes in admiration and offer generous rewards from their golden hearts.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaimayam)

Singaara kuyilae

Addressing the singer as 'Singaara kuyilae' (beautiful cuckoo) metaphorically attributes sweet vocal ability to a cuckoo bird.

Rhyme / Alliteration (Monnai and Ethirukai)

Buttaa potta saela / Chittukkuruvi nenappula

Use of matching sounds across lines such as 'Buttaa potta saela' and 'Chittukkuruvi nenappula' provides a folk-rhythmic cadence.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song comes from the 1979 Tamil film 'Lakshmi', featuring lyrics by Aalangudi Somu, known for writing accessible, highly rhythmic folk-infused Tamil lyrics for silver screen productions during the 1970s.

Keep listening

More from Lakshmi (1979)