Pavaiyargal Maan Pole
From Ore Mutham · 1980
- Lyricist
- Kannadasan
- Singers
- S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Ore Mutham1980
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Paavaiyargal maan polae kaaviriyin meen polae | If young women live like deer and like the fish of the Cauvery river, |
| Paavaiyargal maan polae kaaviriyin meen polae | If young women live like deer and like the fish of the Cauvery river, |
| Vaazhum vagai vaazhndhaalae dhevadhaikkum melaagum | If they live the way they ought to live, they become superior even to goddesses. |
| Naagariga kolam enna kolam aagumo | What kind of state will modern fashion lead to? |
| Male | |
| Paavaiyargal maan polae kaaviriyin meen polae | If young women live like deer and like the fish of the Cauvery river, |
| Male | |
| Vaari vittu pinnal podungal | Comb your hair neatly and braid it, |
| Vaasamulla poovai choodungal | Adorn yourselves with fragrant flowers, |
| Poovai choodungal aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… | Adorn yourselves with flowers, ah... ah... ah... ah... ah... ah... |
| Male | |
| Pon nagaiyilum udaiyilum azhagillai pennae | Beauty does not lie in golden jewelry or attire, oh woman, |
| Punnagaiyilum nadaiyilum sugam undu kannae | Delight lies in a warm smile and graceful stance, my dear. |
| Padithu padithu uraitha thamizhai padithidungal | Read and learn the Tamil that has been refined through constant study. |
| Male | |
| Paavaiyargal maan polae kaaviriyin meen polae | If young women live like deer and like the fish of the Cauvery river, |
| Paavaiyargal maan polae kaaviriyin meen polae | If young women live like deer and like the fish of the Cauvery river, |
| Female | |
| Nalladhor penmani kaattilum vaazhalaam | A virtuous woman can live honorably even in a forest, |
| Dhaasiyin veettilum naermaiyaai vaazhalaam | She can live with integrity even in a courtesan's house. |
| Naan thannai unarndha mangai | I am a maiden who has understood herself, |
| Naan punidham nirandha gangai | I am the river Ganges filled with purity. |
| Ennai thirutha enakku yaarum thaevai illai | I do not need anyone to reform me. |
| Female | |
| Nalladhor penmani kaattilum vaazhalaam | A virtuous woman can live honorably even in a forest. |
| Male | |
| Pattu chaelai kattum podhae vaanam kaaval nirkkum | When she wears a silk saree, the sky stands guard over her, |
| Pottum poovum vaikkum podhae dheivam thaedi varum | When she wears a bindi and flowers, God Himself comes searching for her. |
| Adhu thaan neengalaa sariyaai sollungal | Is that really you? Tell me truthfully! |
| Male | |
| Pattu chaelai kattum podhae vaanam kaaval nirkkum | When she wears a silk saree, the sky stands guard over her. |
| Female | |
| Dheivam ingae vandhaal kooda | Even if God Himself comes here, |
| Ennai serthu kollum | He will embrace and accept me. |
| Kaalam pogum pokkai paarthu | Observing the way times are changing, |
| Konjam maara chollum | He will ask me to adapt just a little. |
| Sariyaai paarungal illaiyael kaelungal | Look properly, or else ask around! |
| Female | |
| Dheivam ingae vandhaal kooda | Even if God Himself comes here, |
| Ennai serthu kollum | He will embrace and accept me. |
| Male | |
| Nilam paarthu nadappaalae andaiya kaalathu pengal | Women of bygone eras walked looking down at the ground, |
| Mugam paarthu sirikkindraal indraiya kaalathu pengal | Women of today look at faces directly and smile. |
| Pombala sirippenna pogaiyila virippenna | What is this feminine laughter and swaggering posture? |
| Male | |
| Pattu chaelai kattum podhae vaanam kaaval nirkkum | When she wears a silk saree, the sky stands guard over her. |
| Female | |
| Kurai yaedhum irundhaalae | If there is any fault in me, |
| Sollungal thirutthi kolvaen | Tell me, and I will correct myself. |
| Unnidathil kurai irundhaal | If there is a fault in you, |
| Naan adhai eduthu solvaen | I will point it out to you. |
| Aangalum pengalum sari samam aagumandro | For men and women are truly equal, aren't they? |
பாவையர்கள் மான் போலே
காவிரியின் நீர் போலே
பாவையர்கள் மான் போலே காவிரியின் நீர் போலே
வாழும் வகை வாழ்ந்தாலே தேவதைக்கும் மேலாகும்
நாகரிக கோலம் என்ன கோலம் ஆகுமோ
If young women live like deer and like the fish of the Cauvery river,
If young women live like deer and like the fish of the Cauvery river,
If they live the way they ought to live, they become superior even to goddesses.
What kind of state will modern fashion lead to?
பாவையர்கள் மான் போலே
காவிரியின் நீர் போலே
If young women live like deer and like the fish of the Cauvery river,
வாரி விட்டுப் பின்னல் போடுங்கள்
வாசமுள்ள பூவைச் சூடுங்கள்
பூவைச் சூடுங்கள்
ஆ.....ஆ....ஆ.....ஆ....ஆ...ஆ...
Comb your hair neatly and braid it,
Adorn yourselves with fragrant flowers,
Adorn yourselves with flowers, ah... ah... ah... ah... ah... ah...
பொன் நகையிலும் உடையிலும்
அழகில்லை பெண்ணே
புன்னகையிலும் நடையிலும் சுகம் உண்டு கண்ணே
படித்துப் படித்து உரைத்த தமிழைப் படித்திடுங்கள்
Beauty does not lie in golden jewelry or attire, oh woman,
Delight lies in a warm smile and graceful stance, my dear.
Read and learn the Tamil that has been refined through constant study.
பாவையர்கள் மான் போலே
காவிரியின் நீர் போலே
பாவையர்கள் மான் போலே
காவிரியின் நீர் போலே
If young women live like deer and like the fish of the Cauvery river,
If young women live like deer and like the fish of the Cauvery river,
நல்லதோர் பெண்மணி காட்டிலும் வாழலாம்
தாசியின் வீட்டிலும் நேர்மையாய் வாழலாம்
நான் தன்னை உணர்ந்த மங்கை
நான் புனிதம் நிறைந்த கங்கை
எனைத் திருத்த எனக்கு யாரும் தேவையில்லை
A virtuous woman can live honorably even in a forest,
She can live with integrity even in a courtesan's house.
I am a maiden who has understood herself,
I am the river Ganges filled with purity.
I do not need anyone to reform me.
நல்லதோர் பெண்மணி காட்டிலும் வாழலாம்
A virtuous woman can live honorably even in a forest.
பட்டுச் சேலை கட்டும் போதே
வானம் காவல் நிற்கும்
பொட்டும் பூவும் வைக்கும் போதே
தெய்வம் தேடி வரும்
அதுதான் நீங்களா சரியாய் சொல்லுங்கள்
When she wears a silk saree, the sky stands guard over her,
When she wears a bindi and flowers, God Himself comes searching for her.
Is that really you? Tell me truthfully!
பட்டுச் சேலை கட்டும் போதே
வானம் காவல் நிற்கும்
When she wears a silk saree, the sky stands guard over her.
தெய்வம் இங்கே வந்தால் கூட
என்னைச் சேர்த்துக் கொள்ளும்
காலம் போகும் போக்கை பார்த்து
கொஞ்சம் மாறச் சொல்லும்
சரியாய் பாருங்கள் இல்லையேல் கேளுங்கள்
Even if God Himself comes here,
He will embrace and accept me.
Observing the way times are changing,
He will ask me to adapt just a little.
Look properly, or else ask around!
தெய்வம் இங்கே வந்தால் கூட
என்னைச் சேர்த்துக் கொள்ளும்
Even if God Himself comes here,
He will embrace and accept me.
நிலம் பார்த்து நடப்பாளே
அன்றைய காலத்துப் பெண்கள்
முகம் பார்த்து சிரிக்கின்றாள்
இன்றைய காலத்துப் பெண்கள்
பொம்பள சிரிப்பென்ன பொகையில விரிப்பென்ன
Women of bygone eras walked looking down at the ground,
Women of today look at faces directly and smile.
What is this feminine laughter and swaggering posture?
பட்டுச் சேலை கட்டும் போதே
வானம் காவல் நிற்கும்
When she wears a silk saree, the sky stands guard over her.
குறை ஏதும் இருந்தாலே
சொல்லுங்கள் திருத்திக் கொள்வேன்
உன்னிடத்தில் குறை இருந்தால்
நான் அதை எடுத்துச் சொல்வேன்
ஆண்களும் பெண்களும் சரி சமம் ஆகுமன்றோ
If there is any fault in me,
Tell me, and I will correct myself.
If there is a fault in you,
I will point it out to you.
For men and women are truly equal, aren't they?
எங்கும் உண்டு எதிலும் உண்டு
நன்மை தீமைகளே
பாடும் போது எதையோ சொல்வோம்
யாரும் நண்பர்களே
உலகை அறிவோம் ஒன்றாய் இணைவோம்
எங்கும் உண்டு எதிலும் உண்டு
நன்மை தீமைகளே
Paavaiyargal maan polae kaaviriyin meen polae
If young women live like deer and like the fish of the Cauvery river,
Paavaiyargal maan polae kaaviriyin meen polae
If young women live like deer and like the fish of the Cauvery river,
Vaazhum vagai vaazhndhaalae dhevadhaikkum melaagum
If they live the way they ought to live, they become superior even to goddesses.
Naagariga kolam enna kolam aagumo
What kind of state will modern fashion lead to?
Paavaiyargal maan polae kaaviriyin meen polae
If young women live like deer and like the fish of the Cauvery river,
Vaari vittu pinnal podungal
Comb your hair neatly and braid it,
Vaasamulla poovai choodungal
Adorn yourselves with fragrant flowers,
Poovai choodungal aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…
Adorn yourselves with flowers, ah... ah... ah... ah... ah... ah...
Pon nagaiyilum udaiyilum azhagillai pennae
Beauty does not lie in golden jewelry or attire, oh woman,
Punnagaiyilum nadaiyilum sugam undu kannae
Delight lies in a warm smile and graceful stance, my dear.
Padithu padithu uraitha thamizhai padithidungal
Read and learn the Tamil that has been refined through constant study.
Paavaiyargal maan polae kaaviriyin meen polae
If young women live like deer and like the fish of the Cauvery river,
Paavaiyargal maan polae kaaviriyin meen polae
If young women live like deer and like the fish of the Cauvery river,
Nalladhor penmani kaattilum vaazhalaam
A virtuous woman can live honorably even in a forest,
Dhaasiyin veettilum naermaiyaai vaazhalaam
She can live with integrity even in a courtesan's house.
Naan thannai unarndha mangai
I am a maiden who has understood herself,
Naan punidham nirandha gangai
I am the river Ganges filled with purity.
Ennai thirutha enakku yaarum thaevai illai
I do not need anyone to reform me.
Nalladhor penmani kaattilum vaazhalaam
A virtuous woman can live honorably even in a forest.
Pattu chaelai kattum podhae vaanam kaaval nirkkum
When she wears a silk saree, the sky stands guard over her,
Pottum poovum vaikkum podhae dheivam thaedi varum
When she wears a bindi and flowers, God Himself comes searching for her.
Adhu thaan neengalaa sariyaai sollungal
Is that really you? Tell me truthfully!
Pattu chaelai kattum podhae vaanam kaaval nirkkum
When she wears a silk saree, the sky stands guard over her.
Dheivam ingae vandhaal kooda
Even if God Himself comes here,
Ennai serthu kollum
He will embrace and accept me.
Kaalam pogum pokkai paarthu
Observing the way times are changing,
Konjam maara chollum
He will ask me to adapt just a little.
Sariyaai paarungal illaiyael kaelungal
Look properly, or else ask around!
Dheivam ingae vandhaal kooda
Even if God Himself comes here,
Ennai serthu kollum
He will embrace and accept me.
Nilam paarthu nadappaalae andaiya kaalathu pengal
Women of bygone eras walked looking down at the ground,
Mugam paarthu sirikkindraal indraiya kaalathu pengal
Women of today look at faces directly and smile.
Pombala sirippenna pogaiyila virippenna
What is this feminine laughter and swaggering posture?
Pattu chaelai kattum podhae vaanam kaaval nirkkum
When she wears a silk saree, the sky stands guard over her.
Kurai yaedhum irundhaalae
If there is any fault in me,
Sollungal thirutthi kolvaen
Tell me, and I will correct myself.
Unnidathil kurai irundhaal
If there is a fault in you,
Naan adhai eduthu solvaen
I will point it out to you.
Aangalum pengalum sari samam aagumandro
For men and women are truly equal, aren't they?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This song presents a debate-style dialogue on traditional virtues versus modern liberation for women. One perspective emphasizes traditional modesty, inner charm, elegance, and traditional attire, cautioning against modern trends that deviate from culture. The responding perspective champions self-awareness, moral integrity independent of external settings, adapting to changing times, and the fundamental concept that men and women share equal status in society.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Simile (Upamai)
“Paavaiyargal maan polae kaaviriyin meen polae”
Compares the grace and innocence of women to deer and Cauvery fish using the comparative marker 'polae'.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Naan punidham nirandha gangai”
Metaphorically compares a virtuous, self-aware woman directly to the sacred Ganges river filled with purity.
Edugai (Second-letter Rhyme)
“Pon nagaiyilum udaiyilum azhagillai pennae / Punnagaiyilum nadaiyilum sugam undu kannae”
Rhyming of the second letter 'n' in 'Pon' (gold) and 'Punnagai' (smile).
Personification
“Pattu chaelai kattum podhae vaanam kaaval nirkkum”
Attributes protective human qualities to the sky, describing it as standing guard when a woman wears traditional attire.
Did you know?
Trivia
Written by the famed lyricist Kannadasan for the movie 'Ore Mutham' (1980), the song highlights a recurring philosophical theme in his work: the creative tension between traditional Tamil cultural values and modern progressive ideals such as gender equality.
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