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Lyrics & meaning

Pazhagum Vagaiyil

From Deiva Cheyal · 1967

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
D. Diwakar
Details
Deiva Cheyal1967

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Pazhagum vagaiyil pazhagi paarthaalIf you try interacting in the right way,
Pagaivan kooda nanbanaeEven an enemy becomes a friend.
Pazhagum vagaiyil pazhagi paarthaalIf you try interacting in the right way,
Pagaivan kooda nanbanaeEven an enemy becomes a friend.
Paasam katti aasai vaithaalIf you show affection and bestow love,
Mirugam kooda deivamaeEven an animal becomes divine.
Mirugam kooda deivamaeEven an animal becomes divine.
Male
Valartha pillaiyum maarividumEven a raised child may change and turn away,
Vaazhum uravu odi vidumA living relationship may run away.
Haa haa aa aaHaa haa aa aa
Vaai illaadha uyirai valarthaalIf you raise a voiceless creature,
Kaadu varaikkum kooda varumIt will accompany you all the way to the forest.
Kaadu varaikkum kooda varumIt will accompany you all the way to the forest.
Pazhagum vagaiyil pazhagi paarthaalIf you try interacting in the right way,
Pagaivan kooda nanbanaeEven an enemy becomes a friend.
Male
Anbu kattum mugam theriyumIt recognizes the face that shows love,
Anaikkum nanban kural theriyumIt recognizes the voice of a friend who embraces it.
Haa haa aa aaHaa haa aa aa
Anbu kattum mugam theriyumIt recognizes the face that shows love,
Anaikkum nanban kural theriyumIt recognizes the voice of a friend who embraces it.
Panbu theriyum nandri theriyumIt knows character and knows gratitude,
Badhil sollaamal thunai puriyumIt offers support silently without seeking anything in return.
Badhil sollaamal thunai puriyumIt offers support silently without seeking anything in return.
Pazhagum vagaiyil pazhagi paarthaalIf you try interacting in the right way,
Pagaivan kooda nanbanaeEven an enemy becomes a friend.
Male
Sirikkum uravil nerukkamillaiThere is no true closeness in relationships that merely smile,
Serndhu thudikum paasam illaiThere is no shared affection that deeply aches for you.
Sirikkum uravil nerukkamillaiThere is no true closeness in relationships that merely smile,
Serndhu thudikum paasam illaiThere is no shared affection that deeply aches for you.
Piriyum pozhuthu perugum kanneerThe tears that flow abundantly during separation
Pesum pechil varuvadhillaiDo not come through mere spoken words.
Pesum pechil varuvadhillaiDo not come through mere spoken words.
Pazhagum vagaiyil pazhagi paarthaalIf you try interacting in the right way,
Pagaivan kooda nanbanaeEven an enemy becomes a friend.
Paasam katti aasai vaithaalIf you show affection and bestow love,
Mirugam kooda deivamaeEven an animal becomes divine.
Mirugam kooda deivamaeEven an animal becomes divine.
Mirugam kooda deivamaeEven an animal becomes divine.
Mirugam kooda deivamaeEven an animal becomes divine.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This philosophical Tamil song written by Kannadasan highlights the virtue of unconditional love and loyalty found in animals compared to human relationships. The lyrics reflect on how human ties, including raised children and companions, can prove unreliable or superficial over time. In contrast, voiceless animals respond deeply to kindness, recognizing affection and standing by a human faithfully until the very end. Through these verses, Kannadasan conveys that genuine love and right approach can turn an enemy into a friend and elevate an animal to the level of divinity.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Pazhagum vagaiyil pazhagi paarthaal / Pagaivan kooda nanbanae

The repetition of initial consonant/vowel sounds in words across lines or within lines, such as 'Pazhagum' and 'Pagaivan'.

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Valartha pillaiyum maarividum / Vaai illaadha uyirai valarthaal

Matching second letters in consecutive lines ('la' sound in Valartha and 'i' sound pattern in Vaai).

Antithesis (Muran)

Valartha pillaiyum maarividum... Vaai illaadha uyirai valarthaal kaadu varaikkum kooda varum

Contrasting the betrayal or desertion by human relatives with the lifelong loyalty of a voiceless animal.

Hyperbole / Deification

Paasam katti aasai vaithaal / Mirugam kooda deivamae

Elevating a loyal animal to the status of God due to its pure, unselfish devotion.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Deiva Cheyal' (1967) featured music composed by D. Diwakar. Lyricist Kannadasan was famous for writing deep philosophical songs reflecting on human nature, ethics, and emotional bonds, with this track serving as a classic example of his profound observation on human vs. animal loyalty.

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