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Ore Mutham album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Pavaiyargal Maan Pole

From Ore Mutham · 1980

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Ore Mutham
Movie release year
1980
Lyrics added on
31 Mar 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Paavaiyargal maan polae kaaviriyin meen polae
Paavaiyargal maan polae kaaviriyin meen polae
Vaazhum vagai vaazhndhaalae dhevadhaikkum melaagum
Naagariga kolam enna kolam aagumo
Paavaiyargal maan polae kaaviriyin meen polae
Vaari vittu pinnal podungal
Vaasamulla poovai choodungal
Poovai choodungal aa… aa… aa… aa… aa… aa…
Pon nagaiyilum udaiyilum azhagillai pennae
Punnagaiyilum nadaiyilum sugam undu kannae
Padithu padithu uraitha thamizhai padithidungal
Paavaiyargal maan polae kaaviriyin meen polae
Paavaiyargal maan polae kaaviriyin meen polae
Nalladhor penmani kaattilum vaazhalaam
Dhaasiyin veettilum naermaiyaai vaazhalaam
Naan thannai unarndha mangai
Naan punidham nirandha gangai
Ennai thirutha enakku yaarum thaevai illai
Nalladhor penmani kaattilum vaazhalaam
Pattu chaelai kattum podhae vaanam kaaval nirkkum
Pottum poovum vaikkum podhae dheivam thaedi varum
Adhu thaan neengalaa sariyaai sollungal
Pattu chaelai kattum podhae vaanam kaaval nirkkum
Dheivam ingae vandhaal kooda
Ennai serthu kollum
Kaalam pogum pokkai paarthu
Konjam maara chollum
Sariyaai paarungal illaiyael kaelungal
Dheivam ingae vandhaal kooda
Ennai serthu kollum
Nilam paarthu nadappaalae andaiya kaalathu pengal
Mugam paarthu sirikkindraal indraiya kaalathu pengal
Pombala sirippenna pogaiyila virippenna
Pattu chaelai kattum podhae vaanam kaaval nirkkum
Kurai yaedhum irundhaalae
Sollungal thirutthi kolvaen
Unnidathil kurai irundhaal
Naan adhai eduthu solvaen
Aangalum pengalum sari samam aagumandro
Women are like deer, like fish in the Cauvery.
Women are like deer, like fish in the Cauvery.
If they live life the right way, they are greater than angels.
What will become of this modern fashion?
Women are like deer, like fish in the Cauvery.
Comb your hair and braid it neatly,
Adorn it with fragrant flowers.
Adorn it with flowers, ah... ah... ah...
Beauty does not lie in gold jewellery or fine clothes, my girl;
There is true joy in a warm smile and a graceful walk, my dear.
Read and learn the wisdom taught by Tamil.
Women are like deer, like fish in the Cauvery.
Women are like deer, like fish in the Cauvery.
A virtuous woman can live with dignity even in a forest,
She can live honestly even in a courtesan's home.
I am a woman who knows who she is,
I am as pure as the sacred river Ganga.
I need no one to reform me.
A virtuous woman can live with dignity even in a forest.
When you wear a silk saree, the sky itself stands guard.
When you wear a pottu (bindi) and flowers, God comes searching for you.
Are you really like that? Tell me honestly!
When you wear a silk saree, the sky itself stands guard.
Even if God were to come down here,
He would surely accept me.
Looking at the way the times are changing,
He would tell you to change a little instead.
Look closely, or listen to what is true!
Even if God were to come down here,
He would surely accept me.
Women of the past walked with eyes cast down at the ground,
But today's women look right at your face and smile.
Why such loud laughter from a woman, and why let your hair fly loose as you walk?
When you wear a silk saree, the sky itself stands guard.
If there is any flaw in me,
Tell me, and I will correct myself.
If there is a flaw in you,
I will be the one to point it out.
After all, men and women are equal, aren't they?
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Female
Female
Male
Male
Female
Female
Male
Male
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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.

Keep listening

Songs with a similar feeling

Paavaiyargal Maan Pole1980
Orey MuththamIdentityBeauty
Pattathu Rajavukku1972
Kanna NalamaIdentityContemplative
Malarukku Thendral1965
Enga Veettu PillaiContemplativeNature
Gourava Sabaikku1980
Oru Velladu VengaiyagiradhuDignityDefiant
Urulum Panam Munne Ulagam1959
Ponnu Vilaiyum BoomiSocial ClassContemplative
Maanathai Kaapadhum1957
Mallika (1957 film)DignityContemplative

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