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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Paththa Nalla Module

From Ilamai · 1985

Lyricist
Muthulingam
Singers
S. N. Surendar, P. Jayachandran
Music director
Gangai Amaran
Movie name
Ilamai
Movie release year
1985
Lyrics added on
3 Feb 2022

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Paaththaa nalla module
Paduththaakka thallu module
Haei paaththaa nalla module
Paduththaakka thallu module
Alli sorugi vachcha nalla sarakku
Ambuttum poli sarakku…..
Alli sorugi vachcha nalla sarakku
Ambuttum poli sarakku…..
Paaththaa nalla module
Haei paduththaakka thallu module
Haei paaththaa nalla module
Paduththaakka thallu module
Pottaa potti pottathu enna
Male :Pottathu enna kettathu enna
Male :Paaththaa moonji maarunuthenna
Male :Maarunathenna yaerunathenna
Malligai maalai rendu solli vaikkattaa
Male :Haei haei
Male :Maarula saeththu kittu alli vaikkattaa
Male :Aa malligai maalai rendu solli vaikkattaa
Male :Hoo hoo….
Male :Maarula saeththukittu alli vaikkattaa
Oodaatha nalla vandi naangakooda nallavandi
Oththu ozhaikka vantha aththa magan nallavandi
Paaththaa nalla module
Haei paduththaakka thallu module
Haei paaththaa nalla module
Paduththaakka thallu module
Alli sorugi vachcha nalla sarakku
Ambuttum poli sarakku…..
Alli sorugi vachcha nalla sarakku
Ambuttum poli sarakku…..
{Paaththaa
Male :Nalla module
Male :Paduththaakka
Male :Thallu module} (2)
Kaalam pooraa kaaka varattaa
Male :Kakka varattaa paakka varattaa
Male :Vaangi thaaraen mutta parottaa
Male :Hae mutta parottaa yaendi kalaattaa
Manja kayiru onnu katti izhuththaa
Kattilarai varaikkum vandi nagarum
Male :Manja kayiru onnu katti izhuththaa
Kattilarai varaikkum vandi nagarum
Morachchaalum thappu illai
Maraichchaalum kuththamilla
Male :Intha idaththinilae kattililla meththaiyilla
Paaththaa nalla module
Haei paduththaakka thallu module
Haei paaththaa nalla module
Paduththaakka thallu module
Alli sorugi vachcha nalla sarakku
Ambuttum poli sarakku…..
Alli sorugi vachcha nalla sarakku
Ambuttum poli sarakku…..
{Paaththaa
Male :Nalla module
Male :Paduththaakka
Male :Thallu module} (2)
………………..
To look at, it's a fine model,
but when it breaks down, you have to push it!
Hey, to look at, it's a fine model,
but when it breaks down, you have to push it!
All those fine goods tucked up and nicely wrapped,
it's all completely fake stuff...
All those fine goods tucked up and nicely wrapped,
it's all completely fake stuff...
To look at, it's a fine model,
hey, when it breaks down, you have to push it!
Hey, to look at, it's a fine model,
but when it breaks down, you have to push it!
Why was there such a rivalry?
What did we fight for, and what went wrong?
Seeing this, why did your face change?
Why did it change, and why get so worked up?
Shall I place an order for two jasmine garlands?
Hey, hey!
Shall I hold you close and shower you with them?
Ah, shall I place an order for two jasmine garlands?
Hoo, hoo...
Shall I hold you close and shower you with them?
Even a vehicle that won't run is good, and we're a good vehicle too!
Your cousin who came to work together is a fine vehicle!
To look at, it's a fine model,
hey, when it breaks down, you have to push it!
Hey, to look at, it's a fine model,
but when it breaks down, you have to push it!
All those fine goods tucked up and nicely wrapped,
it's all completely fake stuff...
All those fine goods tucked up and nicely wrapped,
it's all completely fake stuff...
To look at,
it's a fine model!
When it breaks down,
it's a push-and-start model!
Shall I come wait for you your whole life?
Shall I come to wait or come to see you?
I'll buy you an egg parotta!
Hey, egg parotta! Why make a fuss, girl?
If a yellow sacred thread is tied and pulled,
this vehicle will roll right into the bedroom!
If a yellow sacred thread is tied and pulled,
this vehicle will roll right into the bedroom!
It's no crime even if you glare,
it's no fault even if you hide it,
but in this place, there's no cot and no mattress!
To look at, it's a fine model,
hey, when it breaks down, you have to push it!
Hey, to look at, it's a fine model,
but when it breaks down, you have to push it!
All those fine goods tucked up and nicely wrapped,
it's all completely fake stuff...
All those fine goods tucked up and nicely wrapped,
it's all completely fake stuff...
To look at,
it's a fine model!
When it breaks down,
it's a push-and-start model!
...
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This playful duet from the film 'Ilamai' (1985) features lighthearted romantic banter between two lovers using auto-mechanical metaphors. The female singer playfully teases her suitor, comparing him to a flashy vehicle ('nalla module') that breaks down easily ('thallu module') and calling his charms counterfeit. In response, the male singer enthusiastically asserts his reliability, courting her with gifts of jasmine garlands and egg parotta, while humorously promising that once they are wed with the sacred yellow thread ('manja kayiru'), their journey to romance will seamlessly proceed.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai / Uruvagaththana)

Paaththaa nalla module / Paduththaakka thallu module

Human personality, vigor, and romantic reliability are humorously compared to automobile models ('nalla module', 'thallu module', 'vandi').

Emona / Rhyme (Iyaibu)

Alli sorugi vachcha nalla sarakku / Ambuttum poli sarakku

Use of matching English loanwords ('module') and Tamil colloquialisms ('sarakku') at line ends to create a catchy folk rhythm.

Ethukai (Second-letter rhyming)

Morachchaalum thappu illai / Maraichchaalum kuththamilla

The second consonant 'ra' matches across lines ('Morachchaalum' / 'Maraichchaalum').

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by lyricist Muthulingam, the song incorporates early 1980s Tamil folk-pop cinema tropes and street colloquialisms, blending English technical words like 'module' into romantic folk lyrics to generate comedic effect.

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