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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Pathinaru Pathinezhu

From Kannukkoru Vannakili · 1991

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singer
Mano
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Kannukkoru Vannakili1991

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
………………………….....
Male
Pathinaaru pathinaezhuSixteen or seventeen,
Vayadhodu vaazhum poovidhoIs this a flower living with such an age?
Oru nooru iru nooruOne hundred, two hundred,
Pallaandu paadum naalidhoIs today the day to sing for many prosperous years?
Valarum pirai dhinam malarum kalaiA growing crescent moon, an art blooming daily,
Valarum pirai dhinam malarum kalaiA growing crescent moon, an art blooming daily,
Unai nilavenbadhaaShould I call you the moon?
Malarenbadhaa kooraaiyoOr should I call you a flower? Won't you tell me?
Male
Pathinaaru pathinaezhuSixteen or seventeen,
Vayadhodu vaazhum poovidhoIs this a flower living with such an age?
Lala laalaa lala laalaa lala laalaaLala laalaa lala laalaa lala laalaa
Male
Yevan kaadhalithaanoWhoever fell in love,
Avan paithiyam thaanHe is surely mad.
Oru paithiyam endraalAnd if someone is mad,
Avan kaadhalan thaanHe is surely a lover.
Male
Yevan kaadhalithaanoWhoever fell in love,
Avan paithiyam thaanHe is surely mad.
Oru paithiyam endraalAnd if someone is mad,
Avan kaadhalan thaanHe is surely a lover.
Male
Kaadhal seiyum velaiThe work that love does,
Yaarum seivadhillai haaNobody else ever does, ha!
Kaadhal paattu paadaTo sing the song of love,
Ho kaala neram illaiHo, there is no fixed time or hour.
Enakkum sari unakkum sariIt is good for me, and good for you,
Irukkum varai inikkum kalaiAn art that remains sweet as long as it exists.
Idho sugam idho… idhoHere is pleasure, here... here!
Male
Pathinaaru pathinaezhuSixteen or seventeen,
Vayadhodu vaazhum poovidhoIs this a flower living with such an age?
Oru nooru iru nooruOne hundred, two hundred,
Pallaandu paadum naalidhoIs today the day to sing for many prosperous years?
Valarum pirai dhinam malarum kalai ha haA growing crescent moon, an art blooming daily, ha ha
Valarum pirai dhinam malarum kalaiA growing crescent moon, an art blooming daily,
Unai nilavenbadhaaShould I call you the moon?
Malarenbadhaa kooraaiyoOr should I call you a flower? Won't you tell me?
Male
Pathinaaru pathinaezhuSixteen or seventeen,
Vayadhodu vaazhum poovidhoIs this a flower living with such an age?
Lala laalaa lala laalaa lala laalaaLala laalaa lala laalaa lala laalaa
Male
Mana maalai itaanaamHe reportedly placed the wedding garland,
Aval kaadhalan thaanHer lover himself,
Adhil maatti kondaalaamAnd trapped within it, reportedly,
Ilam kanniyum thaanIs the young maiden herself.
Male
Mana maalai itaanaamHe reportedly placed the wedding garland,
Aval kaadhalan thaanHer lover himself,
Adhil maatti kondaalaamAnd trapped within it, reportedly,
Ilam kanniyum thaanIs the young maiden herself.
Male
Illai endra sollaeThe word 'No',
Illai endru sonnaal aahIf she said it did not exist, ah,
Vallalaagi nindraalShe stood like a generous patron,
Vaari vaari thandhaalAnd showered abundant affection.
Idhuvum nayam adhuvum nayamThis is pleasant, that is pleasant,
Iravum sugam pagalum sugamNight brings bliss, day brings bliss,
Idho sugam idho… idhoHere is pleasure, here... here!
Male
Pathinaaru pathinaezhuSixteen or seventeen,
Vayadhodu vaazhum poovidhoIs this a flower living with such an age?
Oru nooru iru nooruOne hundred, two hundred,
Pallaandu paadum naalidhoIs today the day to sing for many prosperous years?
Valarum pirai ha haA growing crescent moon, ha ha
Dhinam malarum kalai ho hoAn art blooming daily, ho ho
Valarum pirai ha haA growing crescent moon, ha ha
Dhinam malarum kalaiAn art blooming daily,
Unai nilavenbadhaaShould I call you the moon?
Malarenbadhaa kooraaiyoOr should I call you a flower? Won't you tell me?
Male
Pathinaaru pathinaezhuSixteen or seventeen,
Vayadhodu vaazhum poovidhoIs this a flower living with such an age?
Lala laalaa lala laalaa lala laalaaLala laalaa lala laalaa lala laalaa

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This celebratory and romantic song compares a youthful woman aged sixteen or seventeen to a delicate flower and a rising crescent moon. It praises her grace and beauty while wishing her a long, prosperous life spanning centuries. The lyrics playfully comment on the madness of love, stating that anyone who falls in love is driven mad, and anyone who acts mad in this manner must be a lover. As the song unfolds, it celebrates companionship and marriage, noting that love knows no restriction of time or hour. Every moment—day and night—becomes a source of delight, transforming love into an ever-blooming art filled with joy and sweet affection.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Valarum pirai dhinam malarum kalai

Compares a youthful woman directly to a living flower ('Vayadhodu vaazhum poovidho') and a rising crescent moon ('Valarum pirai').

Paradox / Playful Logic

Yevan kaadhalithaano avan paithiyam thaan / Oru paithiyam endraal avan kaadhalan thaan

Uses a circular paradox asserting that lovers are mad, and mad people are lovers.

Parallelism / Antitheton

Idhuvum nayam adhuvum nayam / Iravum sugam pagalum sugam

Pairs contrasting or complementary concepts ('idhuvum / adhuvum', 'iravum / pagalum') to express complete happiness.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by the distinguished poet Pulamaipithan, this song uses classic Tamil poetic metaphors such as 'Valarum Pirai' (growing crescent moon) to illustrate youth and beauty in cinematic music.

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