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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Pengalpol Aadinal

From Nangooram · 1979

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
V. Kumar
Movie name
Nangooram
Movie release year
1979
Lyrics added on
15 Sept 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Pengal pol aadinaal
Kangalil sugamillai
Peigal pol aaduvom
Naaigal pol aaduvom
Aadai jaadai yai
Ninaithaal maatruvoom
Senthamil panpaadu
Maaradha selvangalae
Sirikkum malarae engal
Maadhar mangalam pongum mangalam
Engum thangida
Senthamizh panpaadu
Maaradha selvangalae
Chidambaram natarajan
Vazhikatti nadamaada
Sidharaadha layabaava suthiyodu
Nadamaadu
Senthamizh panpaadu
Maaradha selvangalae
Rambaiyum oorvasiyum
Ingu vandhuvidil
Rock and roll nadanamaaduvaar
Nandhi devaravar mathalathilum
Indha thaalangalai poduvaar
Kaalai vettu kannai vettu
Kaalam paarthu mudiyai vettu
Vetkkam ketta kanamae
Sorgam poga sugamae
Pengal pol aadinaal
Kangalil sugamillai
Peigal pol aaduvom
Naaigal pol aaduvom
Aadai jaadai yai
Ninaithaal maatruvoom
If we dance gently like proper girls,
There is no thrill for the eyes to see.
We will dance like wild ghosts,
We will dance like crazy dogs!
Our clothes and our style,
We will change whenever we feel like it!
Rooted in pure Tamil tradition,
Oh precious treasures who never lose your culture!
Like smiling flowers, may our
Womanly grace and auspicious blessings
Remain everywhere.
Rooted in pure Tamil tradition,
Oh precious treasures who never lose your culture!
As Lord Nataraja of Chidambaram
Leads the way in dance,
With flawless rhythm, expression, and melody,
Dance along!
Rooted in pure Tamil tradition,
Oh precious treasures who never lose your culture!
If Rambha and Urvashi (heavenly dancers)
Were to arrive here,
They would dance rock and roll too!
Even on Lord Nandi's drum,
He would beat out these modern rhythms!
Kick your legs, roll your eyes,
Keep up with the times and cut your hair!
The moment you throw away your shyness,
It is sheer joy, just like going to heaven!
If we dance gently like proper girls,
There is no thrill for the eyes to see.
We will dance like wild ghosts,
We will dance like crazy dogs!
Our clothes and our style,
We will change whenever we feel like it!
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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.

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