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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Pombalainga Kaiyile

From Irattai Roja · 1996

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Arun Mozhi, Ilayaraja
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Irattai Roja1996

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
Yaaiyaa yaiyaiyaiyaYaaiyaa yaiyaiyaiya
Yaaiyaa yaiyaiyaiyaYaaiyaa yaiyaiyaiya
Yaaiyaa yaaiyaaYaaiyaa yaaiyaa
Yaaiyaa yaiyaiyaiyaYaaiyaa yaiyaiyaiya
Yaaiyaa yaiyaiyaiyaYaaiyaa yaiyaiyaiya
Yaaiyaa yaaiyaaYaaiyaa yaaiyaa
Ae haehehae haehehae haehehaeAe haehehae haehehae haehehae
Male
Pombalainga kaiyilaeIn the hands of women,
Kudumbam irukku daalies the responsibility of the family, my friend!
Appaa pazhaniyappaaOh Lord Pazhaniyappa!
Aambalaikkum adhilae pangu irukku daaMen too have a share in it, my friend!
Appaa pazhaniyappaaOh Lord Pazhaniyappa!
Sambala panathula kudumbam nadathanumOne must run the family within the earned salary,
Purushan koduppadhil micha paduthanumOne must save a portion from what the husband provides.
Viralukkaetha padi veekkam irukkanumThe swelling should only be according to the finger size,
Varavukkaetha padi selavum irukkanumThe expenditure should be planned according to the income.
Podhum endru manasu konduHaving a mind content with what one has,
Vaazhndhu kaattanumone must live and show how it is done!
Male
Pombalainga kaiyilaeIn the hands of women,
Kudumbam irukku daalies the responsibility of the family, my friend!
Appaa pazhaniyappaaOh Lord Pazhaniyappa!
Aambalaikkum adhilae pangu irukku daaMen too have a share in it, my friend!
Appaa pazhaniyappaaOh Lord Pazhaniyappa!
Male
Kaiyil irundhaa dhaattu boottuWhen there is money in hand, you act pompous,
Kaasu theendhaa namutha vaettuWhen money runs out, you wear a damp dhoti in sorrow.
Kodu pottu vaazhndhu kaattuLive within your limits and set an example,
Aasa kadhava poottu poottuLock up the door of endless desires!
Pakkathu veetta paakkaadhaeDo not keep staring at the neighbor's house,
Paathu puttu yaengaadhaeDo not look and yearn for what they have,
Purushan kitta kekkaadhaeDo not pester your husband for unnecessary things,
Kaettu usura vaangaadhaeDo not bother him and torture his life!
Avana nenachu idikkaadhae oralaDo not keep pounding the mortar thinking about him,
Adhanaal velaiyum kavala kavalaBecause of that, the work and worries will only multiply!
Male
Pombalainga kaiyilaeIn the hands of women,
Kudumbam irukku daalies the responsibility of the family, my friend!
Appaa pazhaniyappaaOh Lord Pazhaniyappa!
Aambalaikkum adhilae pangu irukku daaMen too have a share in it, my friend!
Appaa pazhaniyappaaOh Lord Pazhaniyappa!
Male
Onnu kedachaa rendu kekkumIf it gets one thing, it asks for two,
Manusan manasu korangu koranguThe human mind is like a fickle monkey!
Kedacha podhum neranjidaadhuIt never feels fulfilled with what it gets,
Adhukku yaedhu varambu varambuWhere is the boundary for greed?
Kadana odana vaangaadhaeDo not borrow money recklessly,
Kudumba vandi thaangaadhaeThe family cart cannot bear the burden of heavy debt!
Velicham pottu kaattaadhaeDo not show off with fake grandeur,
Thala kuninju maattaadhaeDo not get caught hanging your head in shame!
Namma naadu kadankaara naaduOur country itself is caught in debt,
Neeyum adhula kadanaaliyaaAre you also going to become a debtor in it?
Male
Pombalainga kaiyilaeIn the hands of women,
Kudumbam irukku daalies the responsibility of the family, my friend!
Appaa pazhaniyappaaOh Lord Pazhaniyappa!
Aambalaikkum adhilae pangu irukku daaMen too have a share in it, my friend!
Appaa pazhaniyappaaOh Lord Pazhaniyappa!
Sambala panathula kudumbam nadathanumOne must run the family within the earned salary,
Purushan koduppadhil micha paduthanumOne must save a portion from what the husband provides.
Viralukkaetha padi veekkam irukkanumThe swelling should only be according to the finger size,
Varavukkaetha padi selavum irukkanumThe expenditure should be planned according to the income.
Podhum endru manasu konduHaving a mind content with what one has,
Vaazhndhu kaattanumone must live and show how it is done!
Male
Pombalainga kaiyilaeIn the hands of women,
Kudumbam irukku daalies the responsibility of the family, my friend!
Appaa pazhaniyappaaOh Lord Pazhaniyappa!
Aambalaikkum adhilae pangu irukku daaMen too have a share in it, my friend!
Appaa pazhaniyappaaOh Lord Pazhaniyappa!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from the movie Irattai Roja (1996) serves as a moralistic commentary on domestic financial management and middle-class family values. Written by the veteran lyricist Vaali, the song highlights the equal responsibilities of both men and women in managing household expenses, staying content, and avoiding unnecessary debts or social envy.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Proverb / Metaphor (பழமொழி)

Viralukkaetha padi veekkam irukkanum

The line 'Viralukkaetha padi veekkam irukkanum' uses a well-known Tamil proverb implying that one's ambitions and expenses should match their actual capacity or means.

Simile / Metaphor (உவமை)

Manusan manasu korangu korangu

Comparing the human mind to a monkey ('Manusan manasu korangu korangu') to highlight its fickle, ever-demanding, and restless nature.

Monai / Alliteration (மோனை)

Onnu kedachaa rendu kekkum

Repetition of initial consonant sounds across words in the line for rhythmic cadence ('Onnu' / 'O').

Emona / Rhyme (எதுகை)

Kadana odana vaangaadhae

Second-letter rhyming across consecutive lines (Kadana / Kudumba).

Did you know?

Trivia

Irattai Roja (1996) stars Ramki, Urvashi, and Kushboo. The music for this film was composed by Ilaiyaraaja, and the lyrics for this song were penned by Vaali, offering practical advice on financial prudence and contentment.

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