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IsaimozhiLyrics · Translation · Meaning

Lyrics & meaning

Pattale Puthi Sonnar

From Karagattakaran · 1989

Lyricist: Isaignani Ilayaraja
Singer: Ilayaraja
Music director: Ilayaraja
Movie name: Karagattakaran
Movie release year: 1989
Lyrics added on: 30 Oct 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics

↻ English translation

Paataalae budhi sonnar

Paataalae bakthi sonnar

Paataalae budhi sonnar

Paataalae bakthi sonnar

Paatuku naan paadupatten

Andha paatukal palavidham than

Paataalae budhi sonnar

Paataalae bakthi sonnar

Paatuku naan paadupatten

Andha paatukal palavidham than

Kalaiyargal kaadhal kanniyarai

Kavarndhida paadal ketargal

Yezhaigalum yeval adimaigalaai

Irupadhai paada sonaargal

Kadhavoram kettidum

Kattil paadalin

Mettu poda sonargal

Theruvoram serndhida

Thiruvaasagam

Dhevaram kettaargal

Naan padum paadugal

Andha yedugal

Athil ezhudhinalum mudindhidadhu

Paataalae budhi sonnar

Paataalae bakthi sonnar

Paatuku naan paadupatten

Andha paatukal palavidham than

Poojayil kuthu vilaketra vaithu

Athuthan nalladhendrargal

Padathil mudhal paadalai paada vaithu

Athu nalla raasi endrargal

Yethanaiyo paadugalai

Athai paadalgalaai naan

Vitren ithuvarayil

Athanaiyum nallavaiyaa avai

Kettavayaa ena ariyen unmayilae

Enaku than thalaivargal

En rasirgargal

Avar virumbum varayil

Virundhu padaipen

{Paataalae budhi sonnar

Paataalae bakthi sonnar

Paatuku naan paadupatten

Andha paatukal palavidham than} (2)

Paataalae budhi sonnar

Paataalae bakthi sonnar

Paatuku naan paadupatten

Andha paatukal palavidham than

Through song, they taught wisdom

Through song, they taught devotion

Through song, they taught wisdom

Through song, they taught devotion

For the sake of song, I have labored hard

And those songs are of so many kinds

Through song, they taught wisdom

Through song, they taught devotion

For the sake of song, I have labored hard

And those songs are of so many kinds

Artists, to win over the women they love,

Asked me for songs

They asked me to sing about the poor

Living as bonded laborers

Heard softly near bedroom doors,

For intimate love songs,

They asked me to compose tunes

To gather people on street corners,

They asked for Thiruvasagam (sacred hymns)

And Devaram (devotional verses)

All the hardships I have faced,

Even on endless pages,

Would never end even if written down

Through song, they taught wisdom

Through song, they taught devotion

For the sake of song, I have labored hard

And those songs are of so many kinds

Having me light the traditional oil lamp at ceremonies,

They said that brings good fortune

Having me sing the opening song of a film,

They said it brings good luck

So many of my struggles,

Turned into songs,

I have sold until today

Are all of them good, or

Are they bad? Truly, I do not know

The ones who are truly my leaders

Are my listeners

As long as they desire,

I will serve them a musical feast

{Through song, they taught wisdom

Through song, they taught devotion

For the sake of song, I have labored hard

And those songs are of so many kinds} (2)

Through song, they taught wisdom

Through song, they taught devotion

For the sake of song, I have labored hard

And those songs are of so many kinds

Male

Male

Male

Male

Male

Male

Male

Male

Male

Male

Male

Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Paataalae Budhi Sonnar is a deeply reflective track from Karagattakaran (1989) that explores the multifaceted role of music in human life and society. Music is depicted not merely as entertainment, but as a medium for spiritual devotion, moral instruction, romance, and social awareness. The lyricist delves into the inner life of an artist, acknowledging that a musician transforms personal suffering and life struggles into art for public consumption. Ultimately, the song expresses profound humility towards listeners and fans, elevating them as the true masters whom the artist lives to serve.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

“Paataalae budhi sonnar / Paataalae bakthi sonnar”

Repetition of the initial sound 'Pa' across consecutive lines to create rhythmic balance.

Sledai / Pun

“Paatuku naan paadupatten”

Play on the root word 'Paattu' (song) combined with 'Paadupatten' (labored/suffered), linking musical creation to personal hardship.

Antithis / Contrast

“Athanaiyum nallavaiyaa avai / Kettavayaa ena ariyen unmayilae”

Juxtaposition of opposites ('nallavaiyaa' - good vs. 'kettavayaa' - bad) to convey artistic introspection.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed and written by Isaignani Ilaiyaraaja, the lyrics carry strong meta-narrative elements mirroring Ilaiyaraaja's real-life status as a legendary maestro whose opening songs were considered good luck charms ('raasi') by film producers.

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