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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Pattikkattu Baba Vanthara

From Ilaya Raagam · 1995

Lyricist
Piraisoodan
Singers
Mano, K. S. Chithra
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Ilaya Raagam1995

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Pattikkaattu baabaa vandhaaraaDid the rustic Baba arrive?
Paappaavukku paattu thandhaaraaDid he give a song to the little girl?
Pattikkaattu baabaa vandhaaraaDid the rustic Baba arrive?
Paappaavukku paattu thandhaaraaDid he give a song to the little girl?
Aei aei ammachi ammaaHey hey grandmother dear,
Adiyo yo ummachi ummaaOh dear, sacred mother dear!
Aei aei ammachi ammaaHey hey grandmother dear,
Adiyo yo ummachi ummaaOh dear, sacred mother dear!
Ada dadda daddaAh dadda dadda!
Female
Pattikkaattu baabaa vandhaaraaDid the rustic Baba arrive?
Paappaavukku paattu thandhaaraaDid he give a song to the little girl?
Male
Pattikkaattu baabaa vandhaaraaDid the rustic Baba arrive?
Paappaavukku paattu thandhaaraaDid he give a song to the little girl?
Penmaikkenna artham endraaraaDid he ask what womanhood truly means?
Paechil adakkam venum endraaraaDid he say modesty in speech is required?
Neeyum naanum vandhadhuYou and I came here
Paadam kaatru kolla thaanOnly to learn a lesson!
Paattil anbai cholladi paatti avvai solladiExpress love through song, just as Avvaiyar grandmother said!
Male
Pattikkaattu baabaa vandhaaraaDid the rustic Baba arrive?
Paappaavukku paattu thandhaaraaDid he give a song to the little girl?
Female
Paattae endraal vilaiyaattae allaSinging a song is no child's play!
Ada raamarae raamaa graamathu beemaaOh Lord Rama, you village Bheema!
Kaetpor ellaam thalaiyaattida vendumEveryone who listens should nod their heads in appreciation!
Ada raamarae raamaa graamathu beemaaOh Lord Rama, you village Bheema!
Paadinaal naan oru poonguyilIf I sing, I am a sweet cuckoo bird,
Aadinaal naan oru poongodiIf I dance, I am a flowering creeper!
Paarvaiyil purindhidum sangadhiEverything will be understood in a single glance,
Haei pottiyil therindhidum un gadhiHey, your fate will be decided in this competition!
Oho vaa vaa munnae nilluOho, come forward and stand in front,
Undhan paattil badhilai cholluGive your answer through your song!
Female
Pattikkaattu baabaa vandhaaraaDid the rustic Baba arrive?
Paappaavukku paattu thandhaaraaDid he give a song to the little girl?
Pattikkaattu baabaa vandhaaraaDid the rustic Baba arrive?
Paappaavukku paattu thandhaaraaDid he give a song to the little girl?
Male
Veesum kaatril thalai aattum naatrilIn the blowing breeze, in the swaying paddy plants,
Engum paattu un appan paattaaSong is everywhere—is it your father's private property?
Veezhum neeril uyir vaazhum meenilIn the falling water, in the fish living inside,
Odum thaalam un paattan sotthaaThe running rhythm flows—is it your grandfather's heirloom?
Vaasanai pookkalil paadalgalSongs residing in fragrant flowers
Vaazhndhidum aayiram kaalangalWill live on for thousands of ages!
Aanavam paadidum poongodiOh arrogant flowering creeper,
Aanandha keertthanai kaeladiListen to this blissful hymn!
Oho unmai thannai yaetruOho, accept the truth,
Undhan ullam indrae maatruChange your mindset starting today!
Male
Pattikkaattu baabaa vandhaaraaDid the rustic Baba arrive?
Paappaavukku paattu thandhaaraaDid he give a song to the little girl?
Pattikkaattu baabaa vandhaaraaDid the rustic Baba arrive?
Paappaavukku paattu thandhaaraaDid he give a song to the little girl?
Aei aei ammachi ammaaHey hey grandmother dear,
Adiyo yo ummachi ummaaOh dear, sacred mother dear!
Aei aei ammachi ammaaHey hey grandmother dear,
Yo yo ummachi ummaa hae …Oh dear, sacred mother dear, hey...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Pattikkaattu Baabaa Vandhaaraa from the film Ilaya Raagam (1995) is a lively musical debate song (Paattu Potti) between two opposing perspectives—a rustic man representing grounded, natural music and an accomplished, proud woman showcasing her artistic talent. The lyricist Piraisoodan crafts a playful banter where the female singer compares her singing to a singing cuckoo and her dance to a gentle creeper, challenging her opponent.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Moonaal / Alliteration (Moonaal)

Pattikkaattu baabaa vandhaaraa / Paappaavukku paattu thandhaaraa

Repetition of initial consonants or sound patterns across adjacent words, such as 'Pattikkaattu' and 'Paappaavukku'.

Edhukai / Second-letter Rhyming

Paadinaal naan oru poonguyil / Aadinaal naan oru poongodi

Rhyming of the second letter across lines ('Paadinaal' and 'Aadinaal').

Uruvagaim / Metaphor

Paadinaal naan oru poonguyil / Aadinaal naan oru poongodi

Direct comparison of oneself to a cuckoo bird (poonguyil) and a flowering creeper (poongodi) without using comparative words.

Rhetorical Question

Engum paattu un appan paattaa

Sarcastic questioning challenging the notion that music belongs to any single person's lineage.

Did you know?

Trivia

This track belongs to the 1995 film Ilaya Raagam, featuring lyricist Piraisoodan's characteristic blend of colloquial folk refrains (like 'Ammachi ammaa') with poetic Tamil metaphors commonly used in competitive duet songs in Tamil cinema.

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