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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Pengalpol Aadinal

From Nangooram · 1979

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
V. Kumar
Details
Nangooram1979

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Pengal pol aadinaalIf we dance demurely like women
Kangalil sugamillaiThere is no delight in the eyes
Peigal pol aaduvomWe shall dance wild like ghosts
Naaigal pol aaduvomWe shall dance crazy like dogs
Aadai jaadai yaiAttire and expressions
Ninaithaal maatruvoomWe will change whenever we wish
Female
Senthamil panpaaduThe pure Tamil culture
Maaradha selvangalaeOh unchanging treasures!
Sirikkum malarae engalOh smiling flower of ours
Maadhar mangalam pongum mangalamAuspiciousness of women, overflowing auspiciousness
Engum thangidaMay it abide everywhere
Senthamizh panpaaduThe pure Tamil culture
Maaradha selvangalaeOh unchanging treasures!
Female
Chidambaram natarajanAs Chidambaram Nataraja
Vazhikatti nadamaadaGuides the path as we dance
Sidharaadha layabaava suthiyoduWith uncorrupted rhythm, expression, and pitch
NadamaaduDance away!
Senthamizh panpaaduThe pure Tamil culture
Maaradha selvangalaeOh unchanging treasures!
Female
Rambaiyum oorvasiyumEven Rambha and Urvashi
Ingu vandhuvidilIf they were to come here
Rock and roll nadanamaaduvaarWould dance the rock and roll
Nandhi devaravar mathalathilumLord Nandi on his percussion drum
Indha thaalangalai poduvaarWould play these modern rhythms
Female
Kaalai vettu kannai vettuKick your leg, flick your eye
Kaalam paarthu mudiyai vettuCut your hair according to the times
Vetkkam ketta kanamaeOh shameless, carefree moment
Sorgam poga sugamaeIt is pure bliss leading to heaven
Female
Pengal pol aadinaalIf we dance demurely like women
Kangalil sugamillaiThere is no delight in the eyes
Peigal pol aaduvomWe shall dance wild like ghosts
Naaigal pol aaduvomWe shall dance crazy like dogs
Aadai jaadai yaiAttire and expressions
Ninaithaal maatruvoomWe will change whenever we wish

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Pengal pol aadinaal' from Nangooram (1979) presents a playful yet satirical contrast between traditional Tamil cultural norms and modern westernized dance crazes. The lyrics express a youthful desire to break free from conventional demure dance forms traditionally expected of women, opting instead for wild, uninhibited movements, changing clothes and attitudes at will.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Peigal pol aaduvom / Naaigal pol aaduvom

Comparing dance styles to ghosts ('Peigal pol') and dogs ('Naaigal pol') to emphasize wildness and breaking social conventions.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Pengal pol aadinaal / Kangalil sugamillai

Matching initial consonant sounds across adjacent lines ('Pengal' and 'Kangal' / 'Peigal').

Juxtaposition / Irony

Rambaiyum oorvasiyum... Rock and roll nadanamaaduvaar

Contrasting sacred traditional icons like Chidambaram Nataraja and celestial dancers Rambha and Urvashi with modern concepts like 'Rock and roll'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by V. Kumar with lyrics by Kannadasan, this track stands out as a unique 1970s Tamil song where classical poetic references to Lord Nataraja and Tamil culture ('Senthamizh panpaadu') are fused with rock-and-roll beats and cheeky modern rebellious themes.

Keep listening

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