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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Podraa Naina

From Ilaiyarajavin Rasigai · 1979

Lyricist
Lyricist Not Known
Singers
Malaysia Vasudevan, S. P. Sailaja
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Ilaiyarajavin Rasigai1979

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Ae… aelae nainaa aelae nainaaHey... Aelae nainaa, aelae nainaa
Aelae nainaa nainaaAelae nainaa nainaa
Male
Ae nainaa aelae nainaaHey nainaa, aelae nainaa
Aelae nainaa nainaaAelae nainaa nainaa
Male
Podraa nainaa poduPut it down, man, put it down
Nee pottaa thaan daa soruOnly if you put money, there will be food, man
Female
Haa podraa nainaa poduHaa, put it down, man, put it down
Nee pottaa thaan daa soruOnly if you put money, there will be food, man
Male
Saethu vecha saami sillaraiya kaamiOh rich master who hoarded money, show us some small change
Naalu paeru thinnaa vaazhthum onna boomiIf four people can eat, this earth will bless you
Male
Ezhaigalin pera cholliUsing the name of the poor
Yemaathura rokka pulliYou rich money bags who deceive
Female
Ezhaigalin pera cholliUsing the name of the poor
Yemaatthura rokka pulliYou rich money bags who deceive
Male
Yaar yaarunnu enna kaeluAsk me who they are
Naan kaatturen romba peruI will point out many people
Female
Ilicha vaayanaa naanga… aa…aa…aa…Are we fools to be taken advantage of? Ah... ah... ah...
Male
Ilicha vaayanaa naangaAre we gullible fools?
Idha eduthu kekkanum vaangaCome, let us stand up and question this
Female
Oozhalukku panjam illaeThere is no shortage of corruption
Ooril nalla nenjam illaeThere is no good heart in this town
Male
Oozhalukku panjam illaeThere is no shortage of corruption
Ooril nalla nenjam illaeThere is no good heart in this town
Female
Kanjikkazhum ezha pullaePoor children crying for rice porridge
Kekka oru naadhi illaeThere is no one to care or ask about them
Male
Irukkum manusana paapaenI will look for wealthy people
Yaa… yaa… yaa…Yeah... yeah... yeah...
Irukkum manusana paapaenI will look for wealthy people
Konjam kodukka cholli naan keppenI will ask them to give a little share
Male
Thaanae naanae naannaannaaThaanae naanae naannaannaa
Male
Thaanae naanaa naannaannaaThaanae naanaa naannaannaa
Male
Aahaa… aehae… aehae aehae aehae haeiAahaa... aehae... aehae aehae aehae haei
Male
Paarukkullae nalla naaduThe best nation in the whole world
Paakkuriyae indha naaduYou are seeing this nation
Female
Paarukkullae nalla naaduThe best nation in the whole world
Paakkuriyae indha naaduYou are seeing this nation
Male
Paadinavan vera aaluThe one who sang that was a different person
Baaradhiya poi keluGo and ask Subramania Bharathi
Female
Surandal pervazhi yaaru…Who are the extortionists...
Male
Surandal pervazhi yaaruWho are the extortionists
Avan theraiya kizhikkiraen paaruWatch me rip off their mask and reveal them

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This social commentary song expresses the pain, frustration, and rising awareness of the underprivileged working class. The speaker addresses wealthy, corrupt hoarders who exploit the poor while giving lip service to social welfare. Pointing out the irony of poetic ideals versus harsh reality—referencing Mahakavi Bharathiyar's line about India being the greatest nation—the song calls out societal corruption, inequality, and the neglect of starving children, promising to expose the true face of exploiters.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Rhyme / Edhugai

Oozhalukku panjam illae / Ooril nalla nenjam illae

Matching rhythmic cadence and end-rhyme with 'illae' creates a sharp rhythm emphasizing social critique.

Alliteration / Monai

Saethu vecha saami sillaraiya kaami

Repetition of the 'S' sound ('Saethu', 'saami', 'sillaraiya') gives the line a catchy street-song musicality.

Allusion

Paarukkullae nalla naadu... Baaradhiya poi kelu

Directly references Mahakavi Subramania Bharathi's patriotic poem 'Parukkulle Nalla Nadu', subverting it ironically to contrast poetic ideals with socio-economic realities.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song satirically references Mahakavi Subramania Bharathi's iconic poem 'Paarukkullae Nalla Naadu' (The Greatest Nation in the World) to highlight systemic corruption and poverty.

Keep listening

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