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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Pattai Urikkira Pachai

From Aadi Viradham · 1991

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
Swarnalatha
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Aadi Viradham1991

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Thandhananaana thaana naana thandhanaana thaanaThandhananaana thaana naana thandhanaana thaana (Rhythmic vocalizations).
Thandhananaana thaana naana thandhanaana thaanaThandhananaana thaana naana thandhanaana thaana (Rhythmic vocalizations).
Female
Pattai urikkira pachai maram polaJust like a green tree that sheds its bark,
Sattai urikkira jaadhiI belong to the species that sloughs off its skin.
Utchandhalaiyilae ulla varaiyilaeFrom the top of the crown all the way inside,
Minnidum maanikka jodhiShines the radiant light of a ruby gem.
Female
Paalai vaarporukku pakkathunaiyaagaAs a steadfast companion to those who offer milk,
Kaaval iruppadhu needhiIt is my righteous duty to stand guard.
Naakku irandu ena vaakku ondru enaThough having two physical tongues, I stand by a single word of honor,
Naadu arinja en saedhiThis is the truth known across the entire land.
Female
Adiyae en vannakkodiOh my colorful streamer!
Naan yaaru kandupudi naan yaaru kandupudiFind out who I am, find out who I am!
Sarimapadhamapapa papamarimaririsasaSoli-fa musical notes (Swaras vocalization).
Rimarisariri mapadhamapapa ripamagarisa sasaSoli-fa musical notes (Swaras vocalization).
Saririmapama karisasasaSoli-fa musical notes (Swaras vocalization).
Female
Pattai urikkira pachai maram polaJust like a green tree that sheds its bark,
Sattai urikkira jaadhiI belong to the species that sloughs off its skin.
Utchandhalaiyilae ulla varaiyilaeFrom the top of the crown all the way inside,
Minnidum maanikka jodhiShines the radiant light of a ruby gem.
Adiyae en vannakkodiOh my colorful streamer!
Naan yaaru kandupudi naan yaaru kandupudiFind out who I am, find out who I am!
Yaaru kandupudiFind out who I am!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This devotional folk song from the 1991 movie 'Aadi Viradham' is framed as a playful yet mystical riddle celebrating the sacred snake deity (Nagar/Amman mythology). The lyrics challenge the listener to guess the narrator's identity through various clues rooted in Tamil serpent folklore.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Pattai urikkira pachai maram pola / Sattai urikkira jaadhi

Compares a snake shedding its skin to a green tree shedding its bark using the word 'pola'.

Second Letter Rhyme (Ethukai)

Pattai urikkira pachai maram pola / Sattai urikkira jaadhi

The second letters of 'Pattai' and 'Sattai' match with 'ttai', creating a smooth lyrical flow.

Paradox / Antithesis

Naakku irandu ena vaakku ondru ena

Juxtaposes the snake's physical anatomy (two forked tongues) with moral integrity (keeping a single word/promise).

Alliteration (Monaai)

Pattai urikkira pachai maram pola

Repetition of the initial 'P' sound ('Pattai', 'pachai') creates rhythmic melody.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Aadi Viradham' (1991) was directed by Rama Narayanan, who was celebrated for creating hit devotional movies featuring snakes and animal motifs with catchy folk soundtracks composed by Shankar Ganesh.

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