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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Pei Muzhi

From Nala Damayanthi · 2003

Lyricist
Na. Muthu Kumar
Singers
Sharath, Sindhu
Music director
Ramesh Vinayakam
Details
Nala Damayanthi2003

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Your attention pleaseYour attention please
Announcing the departure of flight 656 toAnnouncing the departure of flight 656 to
Melbourne via SingaporeMelbourne via Singapore
All passengers are requested to board the aircraftAll passengers are requested to board the aircraft
A number 6Gate number 6
Male
Pei muzhi nee muzhippadhennaWhy are you staring blankly like a ghost?
Orr poochandiyai kandadhu pol bayandhadhennaWhy are you frightened as if you saw a bogeyman?
Vaai mozhi yen varavillaiyoWhy aren't words coming out of your mouth?
Nee vaarthaigalai thindruvitta oomai pillaiyoAre you a mute child who has swallowed your own words?
Male
Vaan veli than vasam izhandhuLosing control in the vast open sky,
Orr vaan arundha pattam pola parappadhennaWhy fly around like a kite whose string is snapped?
Un vidhi nee purinchikkadaUnderstand your destiny, my friend!
Idhu thirisangu sorkkam endru therinchikkadaRealize that this is a limbo world (Trishanku's heaven)!
Male
You don’t have to go to Australia…You don’t have to go to Australia…
AustraliaAustralia
I don’t have to go to Australia…I don’t have to go to Australia…
AustraliaAustralia
We don’t have to go to Australia…We don’t have to go to Australia…
AustraliaAustralia
Why has to go to Australia…Why do you have to go to Australia…
AustraliaAustralia
Male
Vakkathu nikkira vaelai vaaichadhuWhen you were standing destitute, a job came along,
Unakkoru vaelaiA job just for you!
Vellaikaaran aasai nee vaarkum nei thosaiThe white man craves the ghee dosa you make.
Thikkathu ninradhu pochuBeing helpless and directionless is now a thing of the past,
Thangida idam onru aachuYou got a place to stay!
Ingum nee dhaan cookEven here, you are the cook,
Ada adhudhaan un luckAh, that indeed is your luck!
Male
Savaalae… hey… samaali… hey…Face the challenge... hey... manage it... hey...
Poraadu nallaavae pottaachu kullaavaeStruggle hard! You've been duped nicely into a tough spot!
Engengae… hey… eppodhu…Wherever... hey... whenever...
Yaar yaarai vaikonum aiyappan theermaanamWho should be placed where is God's decision!
Irundhaalum endha naeramEven so, at any given moment,
Idaiyil thaan enna aagumWhat will happen in between?
Evaraal dhaan sollakoodum vaendikoo…….Who can possibly tell? Just say your prayers!
Male
Pei muzhi nee muzhippadhennaWhy are you staring blankly like a ghost?
Orr poochandiyai kandadhu pol bayandhadhennaWhy are you frightened as if you saw a bogeyman?
Vaai mozhi yen varavillaiyoWhy aren't words coming out of your mouth?
Nee vaarthaigalai thindruvitta oomai pillaiyoAre you a mute child who has swallowed your own words?
Male
Emmadham sammadham endruSaying all religions are acceptable,
Yethukka thaethikka indruAccept it and console yourself today!
Ondrae ondru theivam ada illai vaerondruThere is only one God, hey, there is no other!
Yesuvum vaasuvum onnu enbadhai eppavum ennuAlways consider Jesus and Vasu to be the same!
Thaedi poda church ai idhil vendaam veen charchaiGo search for a church, let's not have useless debates here!
Male
Karthar dhaan… hey… ippodhu… hey…The Lord Himself... hey... right now... hey...
Kaapaatha poraaru illaattaa vaeraaruIs going to save you, otherwise who else will?
Bible dhaan… hey… kaithottu kannil nee othikkoTouch the Bible to your eyes with respect,
Kalyanam pannikkoGet married!
Madham maari ponal ennaWhat if you convert your religion?
Maapillai aanaal ennaWhat if you become the bridegroom?
Dhevan un pakkam endru ennikoo…Just consider that God is on your side!
Male
Pei muzhi nee muzhippadhennaWhy are you staring blankly like a ghost?
Orr poochandiyai kandadhu pol bayandhadhennaWhy are you frightened as if you saw a bogeyman?
Vaai mozhi yen varavillaiyoWhy aren't words coming out of your mouth?
Nee vaarthaigalai thindruvitta oomai pillaiyoAre you a mute child who has swallowed your own words?
Male
Vaan veli than vasam izhandhuLosing control in the vast open sky,
Orr vaan arundha pattam pola parappadhennaWhy fly around like a kite whose string is snapped?
Un vidhi nee purinchikkadaUnderstand your destiny, my friend!
Idhu thirisangu sorkkam endru therinchikkadaRealize that this is a limbo world (Trishanku's heaven)!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This satirical song portrays the comedic plight and anxiety of Ramji, a traditional Palakkad Brahmin cook who travels to Australia for work only to find himself entangled in visa issues and legal trouble. Feeling stranded in a foreign land without language skills or proper papers, his inner voice and situation urge him to adapt quickly to survive. The song humorously suggests that he embrace whatever work he gets, face challenges head-on, and even consider a sham marriage or temporary religious conversion to secure his stay. Through lighthearted commentary, the lyrics highlight the hardships, cultural shock, and resilience of immigrants seeking better prospects abroad while stuck in a metaphorical limbo.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Upamai (Simile)

Orr poochandiyai kandadhu pol bayandhadhenna

Compares the protagonist's fear to a child seeing a bogeyman ('poochandi').

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Orr vaan arundha pattam pola parappadhenna

Metaphorically compares the lost, untethered state of the protagonist to a kite whose string has been cut.

Mythological Allusion

Idhu thirisangu sorkkam endru therinchikkada

Refers to 'Trishanku Swarga', the mythological realm between heaven and earth, symbolizing a state of limbo or uncertainty.

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Vakkathu nikkira vaelai vaaichadhu / Thikkathu ninradhu pochu

Rhyming of the second letter 'kk' in 'Vakkathu' and 'Thikkathu' creates rhythmic movement.

Did you know?

Trivia

Nala Damayanthi (2003) was written and produced by Kamal Haasan, directed by Moulee, with music composed by Ramesh Vinayakam. Kamal Haasan himself sang parts of this song alongside music director Ramesh Vinayakam. The film was an adaptation of the classic Hollywood comedy 'Green Card' tailored to a Tamil cultural context.

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