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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Pannodu Pirandhadhu

From Vidivelli · 1960

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
P. B. Sreenivas, Jikki
Music director
A. M. Rajah
Details
Vidivelli1960

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Ooo….oo….ooo….oo….Ooo....oo....ooo....oo....
Mmm….mm….mm….mm….Mmm....mm....mm....mm....
Female
Pannodu pirandhadhu thaalamRhythm was born along with music.
Pannodu pirandhadhu thaalamRhythm was born along with music.
Kula pennodu pirandhadhu naanamShyness was born with a woman of noble virtue.
Pannodu pirandhadhu thaalamRhythm was born along with music.
Female
Kannodu kalandhadhu kaatchiThe vision blended seamlessly with the eyes.
Andha kalaiyaavum penmaiyin aatchiAll those fine arts are under the reign of womanhood.
Kannodu kalandhadhu kaatchiThe vision blended seamlessly with the eyes.
Andha kalaiyaavum penmaiyin aatchiAll those fine arts are under the reign of womanhood.
Male
Mannodu malarndhadhu maanamHonor blossomed along with the earth.
Kulamagal konda seedhanam yaavumThese are all the dowry assets possessed by a virtuous daughter.
Male
Pannodu pirandhadhu thaalamRhythm was born along with music.
Kula pennodu pirandhadhu naanamShyness was born with a woman of noble virtue.
Pannodu pirandhadhu thaalamRhythm was born along with music.
Male
Selvom endrae aasai ennumDesire urges us to move forward,
Female :Angu sellaamalae kaalgal pinnumFemale: Yet the feet hesitate and entangle without walking there.
Male :Selvom endrae ullam odumMale: The heart races saying, 'Let us go!'
Female :Vaarththai sollamale idhal moodum….mm….Female: The lips close tightly without uttering a word....mm....
Male
Mmmheem…..mmm…mheem…Mmmheem.....mmm...mheem...
Female :Kula pennodu pirandhadhu naanamFemale: Shyness was born with a woman of noble virtue.
Pannodu pirandhadhu thaalamRhythm was born along with music.
Female
Oru naalum vaadaadha ullamA heart that never wilts on any day,
Indha uravaalae isaiyodu thullumLeaps with music because of this relationship.
Oru naalum vaadaadha ullamA heart that never wilts on any day,
Indha uravaalae isaiyodu thullumLeaps with music because of this relationship.
Male
Padikaadha paadangal solliTeaching unlearned lessons,
Munbu pazhagaadha kalvikkuththaan indha palliThis school is dedicated to an education never practiced before.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic duet celebrates the intrinsic virtues of womanhood, romance, and cultural aesthetics through rich poetic metaphors. Lyricist Kannadasan equates modesty (naanam) in a virtuous woman to the inherent connection between musical rhythm (thaalam) and melody (pan). The song captures the delicate play of emotions between lovers—where bashfulness creates hesitation, yet love unleashes joyful harmony in their hearts.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ezhuthu/Edhugai (Tamil Second-letter Rhyming)

Pannodu pirandhadhu thaalam / Kannodu kalandhadhu kaatchi / Mannodu malarndhadhu maanam

The second consonant 'nn' (ண்ண/ன்ன) creates a rhythmic rhyme across different verses: 'Pannodu', 'Kannodu', and 'Mannodu'.

Moonaai (Tamil Initial Alliteration)

Pannodu pirandhadhu thaalam

Initial sound matching with 'Pa' in 'Pannodu' and 'pirandhadhu'.

Analogy / Metaphor

Kula pennodu pirandhadhu naanam

Compares abstract feminine qualities like modesty and honor to fundamental entities like music rhythm and the earth.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Vidivelli' (1960) was directed by C. V. Sridhar and starred Sivaji Ganesan and B. Saroja Devi. The music score was composed by A. M. Rajah, who also rendered this classic duet along with P. Susheela. Kannadasan's lyric comparing rhythm and melody to female modesty remains one of the most famous similes in Tamil film music history.

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