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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Selvangal Odi Vanthathu

From Doctor Amma · 1974

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
Sankar Ganesh
Details
Doctor Amma1974

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Selvangal odi vandhadhuRiches came running
Kinnangal thedi vandhadhuGoblets came searching
Angangal aadi vandhadhuLimbs came dancing
Pana bodhai pugazh bodhai pala bodhaiIntoxication of money, intoxication of fame, many intoxications
LalalalalalalalalalaLalalalalalalalalala
Ennai maathi kondenI changed myself
Madhuvai oothi kondenI poured wine for myself
Ennai maathi kondenI changed myself
Madhuvai oothi kondenI poured wine for myself
Female
Selvangal odi vandhadhuRiches came running
Kinnangal thedi vandhadhuGoblets came searching
Angangal aadi vandhadhuLimbs came dancing
Pana bodhai pugazh bodhai pala bodhaiIntoxication of money, intoxication of fame, many intoxications
DadadadadadadaaDadadadadadadaa
Female
Indru vandha vaazhkai enbadhuThis life that arrived today
Vetkam vittu ketka sonnadhuAsked me to shed shame and demand
Indru vandha vaazhkai enbadhuThis life that arrived today
Vetkam vittu ketka sonnadhuAsked me to shed shame and demand
Koozhai alli kudippadharkkuTo scoop up and drink plain porridge
Ezhai alla naan unakkuI am not a poor person to you
Koozhai alli kudippadharkkuTo scoop up and drink plain porridge
Ezhai alla naan unakkuI am not a poor person to you
Maadi veettu maapillaikku manaivi allavooAm I not the wife to the bridegroom of a grand mansion?
Naan maadi veettu maapillaikku manaivi allavooAm I not the wife to the bridegroom of a grand mansion?
Female
Neeyum naanum periya eduthu pillaiYou and I are children of high status
Maanam eenam naalum namakku illaiHonor and dignity do not apply to us anymore
Enai maathi kondenI changed myself
Madhuvai oothi kondenI poured wine for myself
Female
Selvangal odi vandhadhuRiches came running
Kinnangal thedi vandhadhuGoblets came searching
Angangal aadi vandhadhuLimbs came dancing
Pana bodhai pugazh bodhai pala bodhaiIntoxication of money, intoxication of fame, many intoxications
LalalalalalalalalalaLalalalalalalalalala
Female
Kann sivakka naan mayangavumAs my eyes turned red and I swooned
Kattazhagu katt avizhndhadhuMy bound beauty unravelled
Kann sivakka naan mayangavumAs my eyes turned red and I swooned
Kattazhagu katt avizhndhadhuMy bound beauty unravelled
Vaadai kondu naan midhakkaWhile I float carrying the cool northern breeze
Aadai ondru yen maraikkaWhy should a garment conceal me?
Vaadai kondu naan midhakkaWhile I float carrying the cool northern breeze
Aadai ondru yen maraikkaWhy should a garment conceal me?
Bodhai vandha manihdarkkellaam baedhamillaiyaeFor humans who are intoxicated, there are no differences
Female
Kulamagal kudimagal endru maarum neramWhen a noble woman turns into an intoxicated woman
Karppennum panbugal kaatru vaanga pogumVirtues like chastity will go for a stroll in the wind
Ennai maathi kondenI changed myself
Madhuvai oothi kondenI poured wine for myself
Female
Selvangal odi vandhadhuRiches came running
Kinnangal thedi vandhadhuGoblets came searching
Angangal aadi vandhadhuLimbs came dancing
Pana bodhai pugazh bodhai pala bodhaiIntoxication of money, intoxication of fame, many intoxications
LalalalalalalalalalaLalalalalalalalalala
DadadadadadadaaDadadadadadadaa
LalalalalalalalalalaLalalalalalalalalala

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Selvangal Odi Vandhadhu' depicts a woman yielding to a hedonistic, intoxicated lifestyle fueled by wealth, status, and fame. Shedding traditional societal norms, modesty, and reservations, she embraces wine and indulgence, asserting that rich lifestyle habits place her above conventional moral expectations. The lyrics convey how extreme wealth and intoxication break down social distinctions and traditional virtues, turning societal ideals on their head in a moment of unrestrained revelry.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Selvangal odi vandhadhu / Kinnangal thedi vandhadhu / Angangal aadi vandhadhu

The lines end with rhythmic repetition of the suffix 'vandhadhu' creating a flowing musical cadence.

Repetition / Anaphora

Pana bodhai pugazh bodhai pala bodhai

The word 'bodhai' (intoxication) is repeated rhythmically to emphasize the overwhelming feeling of indulgence.

Metaphor

Karppennum panbugal kaatru vaanga pogum

Chastity and virtue are metaphorically described as 'going to take a walk in the breeze,' indicating how easily moral boundaries evaporate under the influence of alcohol and luxury.

Wordplay / Contrast

Kulamagal kudimagal endru maarum neram

Vaali contrasts 'Kulamagal' (a woman of noble lineage) with 'Kudimagal' (a woman who drinks alcohol), highlighting the transformational effect of intoxication.

Did you know?

Trivia

This track is featured in the 1974 Tamil movie 'Doctor Amma'. Penned by the legendary lyricist Vaali, the song serves as a classic high-energy 'club/cabaret' style track of 1970s Tamil cinema, portraying the allure and moral unraveling brought on by excessive wealth and alcoholism.

Keep listening

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