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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Peigala Bhoodhama

From Mahanadhi · 1994

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Kamal Haasan, Shanmugasundari
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Mahanadhi1994

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Peigalaa boodhamaaGhosts or spirits?
Male
Aaviyaa alaiyudhaaIs it wandering as a ghost?
Male
……………………………...
Male
Chi peigala nambaadhaeChi, do not believe in ghosts.
Pinjila vembaadhaeDo not wither in your youth.
Nee yosi doiThink about it, my friend!
Ada naaloru poi vaakkuHey, one who utters a lie every day,
Solbavan punnaakkuIs worth nothing but cattle feed,
Kaal dhoosi hoiJust dust under your feet!
Male
Achangal enum boodhamDrive away the demon called fear,
Unai andaamal adhai ottuBefore it comes anywhere near you.
Poochaandi dhinam kaattumThe bogeyman they show daily,
Avar pechellaam vilaiyaattuTheir talk is all just child's play.
Adhil yemaandhaa manam dhinam kedumIf deceived by it, your mind will rot daily.
Peigala…Ghosts...
Male
Aa peigala nambaadhaeAh, do not believe in ghosts.
Pinjila vembaadhaeDo not wither in your youth.
Nee yosi doiThink about it, my friend!
Ada naaloru poi vaakkuHey, one who utters a lie every day,
Solbavan punnaakkuIs worth nothing but cattle feed,
Kaal dhoosi hoiJust dust under your feet!
Male
Edhai yaaru sonna podhumNo matter who says what,
Edhir kelvi onnu keluAsk a counter-question.
Periyorgal sonna paadamThe lessons taught by elders,
Arivaalae edai poduWeigh them with your intelligence.
Male
Or naalum unakkuNot even for a single day,
Koodaadhu bayamaeShould fear stay with you.
Aaraaindhu edhaiyumResearch everything,
Nee kaanu nijamaeAnd see the truth yourself.
Mooda ennathai thee vaithu moottuSet fire to superstitious thoughts!
Acham illaennu nee vaazhndhu kaattuLive fearlessly and show the world!
Yaelaei…Hey there...
Female
Peei pisaasu …..Ghost, demon...
Male
Ha ha haHa ha ha!
Neengalaa naa yaaro ennamoYou, me, or whoever, whatever...
Ha ha ha ha haHa ha ha ha ha!
Female
Yeichiputtaalae paatti yeichiputtaalaeGrandma tricked us, grandma tricked us!
Female
Yeichiputtaalae paatti yeichiputtaalaeGrandma tricked us, grandma tricked us!
Pei poyaachu ippo paatti vandhaachuThe ghost is gone, now grandma has come!
Maappulae maappulae thelinjidhaaGroom, groom, did you get clarity?
Illa veppala veppala adikkavaaOr should I wave neem leaves at you?
Paattiyaa illa boodhamaaIs it a grandma or a demon?
Ippo arala merala venaa peigalaNow, don't be scared or confused by ghosts!
Male
Peigala nambaadhaeDo not believe in ghosts.
Pinjila vembaadhaeDo not wither in your youth.
Nee yosi doi…yaaThink about it, my friend... yeah!
Male
Uzhaikkaama vambu pesiOne who talks gossip without working,
Alaivaanae avan peyiAnd wanders aimlessly, he is a real ghost!
Panam serkka paadhai maariOne who strays off the path to accumulate wealth,
Parappaanae avan boodhamAnd flies about greedily, he is a demon!
Male
Veeraadhi veeran nee endru ulavuWalk tall as a hero among heroes.
Or naalum dhisaiyai maatraadhu nilavuThe moon never changes its direction.
Nee nerukku ner nindru paaruStand face-to-face and observe.
Edhaiyum yen endru yedhendru kelu hoiAsk why and what about everything!
Male
Chi chi chiChi chi chi!
Peigala nambaadhaeDo not believe in ghosts.
Pinjila vembaadhaeDo not wither in your youth.
Nee yosi doiThink about it, my friend!
Naaloru poi vaakkuOne who utters a lie every day,
Solbavan punnaakkuIs worth nothing but cattle feed,
Kaal dhoosi hoiJust dust under your feet!
Achangal enum boodhamThe demon called fear,
Unai andaamal adhai ottuDrive it away before it reaches you.
Adhil yemaandhaa manamIf the mind gets deceived by it,
Dhinam kedumIt gets ruined every day.
Chorus
Thaananaa thaanaanaa thaananaa thaanaanaaThaananaa thaanaanaa thaananaa thaanaanaa
Thaa naa naa naa…Thaa naa naa naa…
Thaananaa thaanaanaa thaananaa thaanaanaaThaananaa thaanaanaa thaananaa thaanaanaa
Thaa naa naa naa…Thaa naa naa naa…
Female
Ha… haaaa…haaaa… haaHa… haaaa…haaaa… haa
Chorus
Ho ho paatti…Ho ho grandma…

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Peigala Nambaadhae from the film Mahanadhi (1994) is a rationalist, educational song aimed at dispelling children's fears of ghosts and supernatural forces. Lyricist Vaali uses playful language to advocate for scientific thinking, asking children to question superstition, evaluate advice using logic, and stand up against blind belief.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Peigala nambaadhae / Pinjila vembaadhae

Harmonious second-letter rhyming between consecutive lines ('Peigala' / 'Pinjila').

Metaphor

Achangal enum boodham

Fear is directly conceptualized as a demon or ghost that needs to be driven away.

Re-definition / Social Metaphor

Uzhaikkaama vambu pesi / Alaivaanae avan peyi

Redefines the word 'ghost' from a supernatural entity to a lazy, gossiping person or a corrupt human.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Ilaiyaraaja for the critically acclaimed film Mahanadhi starring Kamal Haasan, the song serves a narrative purpose where adults use playfulness and music to teach children bravery and rationalism.

Keep listening

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