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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Podu Themmangu

From Athaimadi Methaiyadi · 1989

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
S. R. Vasu
Details
Athaimadi Methaiyadi1989

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
One two three four…One, two, three, four...
Male
Podu themmaanu ennaattam paada mudiyumaaStrike up a folk tune, can anyone sing like me?
Unga pammaaththu engitta kaatta mudiyumaaCan you pull your tricks on me?
Aahaa themmaangu ennaattam paada mudiyumaaAaha, can anyone sing a folk song like me?
Unga pammaaththu engitta kaatta mudiyumaaCan you show off your trickery to me?
Male
Paattukkunnu poranthavan naan poda deiI was born for music, hey man!
Namma kitta edhirththu nikka vaaraathaeDon't dare to stand against me!
Therama irunthaa padhilai sollu savaaluIf you have the talent, answer my challenge!
Illaiyinnaa pottukkunga salaamuOtherwise, bow down and salute me!
Male
Podu themmaanuStrike up the folk tune!
Ennaattam paada mudiyumaaCan anyone sing like me?
Unga pammaaththu engitta kaatta mudiyumaaCan you pull your tricks on me?
Vaangadaa deii….Come on, guys!
Male
Konjam paaru MGR-uLook here a bit, like MGR
Aattamellam naanaduvenI will dance all the moves
Hoi soorakkotta singam polaHoi, like the lion of Soorakottai
Nadichchu kooda naan kaattuvaenI will even act and demonstrate
Hoi…..super star-u rajinikanthuHoi... Superstar Rajinikanth's
Style-lai kaattanumaa hahhaaShould I show off his style, haha?
Kadhal rasan kamalahasanThe king of romance, Kamal Haasan's
Aattam paakkanumaaDo you want to see the dance?
Male
Sagalakalaa vallavan naan thullaathaeI am a master of all arts, don't jump around!
Saami unga kai varisai sellaathaeSir, your trickery won't work here!
Sagalakalaa vallavan naan thullaathaeI am a master of all arts, don't jump around!
Saami unga kai varisai sellaathaeSir, your trickery won't work here!
Male
Podu themmaanuStrike up the folk tune!
Ennaattam paada mudiyumaaCan anyone sing like me?
Unga pammaaththu engitta kaatta mudiyumaa…Can you pull your tricks on me...
Male
………………....
Male
Padippum venaam pattam venaamNo need for education, no need for degrees
Paattil pothum inthaa pudiA high in music is enough, here take this
Paattil thanni pudikkalaennaaIf music doesn't get you high enough
Paavamilla kanjaa adiNo sin, hit the cannabis!
Male
Bothi maraththil nyaanam adainjaanHe attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree
Puththan annaalilaeBuddha in those old days
Bothai marunthi nyaanam adaiyumAttaining enlightenment through intoxicating substances
Pasanga innaalilaeBoys in these modern days
Male
Theru theruva alaiyuthadaa ippothuThey wander from street to street now
Idhugalellaam thirunthurathu eppothu karmamWhen will all these people reform? What a tragedy!
Theru theruva alaiyuthadaa ippothuWandering street to street now
Idhugalellaam thirunthurathu eppothuWhen will all these ever reform?
Male
Podu themmaanu ennaattam paada mudiyumaaStrike up a folk tune, can anyone sing like me?
Unga pammaaththu engitta kaatta mudiyumaaCan you show off your trickery to me?
Male
Paattukkunnu poranthavan naan poda deiI was born for music, hey man!
Namma kitta edhirththu nikka vaaraathaeDon't come to stand against me!
Therama irunthaa padhilai sollu savaaluIf you have the skill, answer my challenge!
Illaiyinnaa pottukkunga salaamuOtherwise, bow down and salute me!
Male
Podu themmaanu dandanakkaa dandanakkaaStrike up the folk tune, dandanakkaa dandanakkaa!
Unga pammaaththu dandanakkaa dandanakkaaYour trickery, dandanakkaa dandanakkaa!
Male
……………………....

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This energetic folk track showcases a confident and boastful street performer who asserts his unmatched musical and theatrical prowess. He challenges anyone in the crowd to match his skills, claiming to be born for music and calling himself a 'Sagalakalaa Vallavan' (master of all arts). To prove his versatility, he imitates iconic screen personas including MGR, Rajinikanth, and Kamal Haasan. In the second half, the lyricist Pulamaipithan weaves in biting social commentary using folk satire. He contrasts ancient philosophy—where Lord Buddha attained wisdom under the Bodhi tree—with modern youth who seek synthetic highs and wander aimlessly through streets, questioning when society will truly reform.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Bothi maraththil nyaanam adainjaan / Bothai marunthi nyaanam adaiyum

The second consonant sound matches across consecutive lines, creating rhythmic harmony.

Monaai (Initial Alliteration)

Padippum venaam pattam venaam / Paattil pothum inthaa pudi

The initial letter sounds match in consecutive words/phrases.

Anaphora (Repetition)

Podu themmaanu ennaattam paada mudiyumaa / Unga pammaaththu engitta kaatta mudiyumaa

The key refrain is repeated at regular intervals to establish the folk song rhythm (Themmaangu).

Pop-Culture Allusion

Konjam paaru MGR-u ... super star-u rajinikanthu ... Kadhal rasan kamalahasan

Direct references to cinematic legends (MGR, Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan) as standards of artistic performance.

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Trivia

This track highlights Pulamaipithan's knack for blending raw folk rhythms (Themmaangu) with contemporary cultural references and sharp moral commentary on youth substance abuse.

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