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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Silar Kudippathupole

From Sange Muzhangu · 1972

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, L. R. Eswari
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Sange Muzhangu1972

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Silar kudippadhu polae nadipparSome pretend as if they are drinking,
Male
Silar nadippadhu polae kudippparSome drink as if they are pretending,
Female
Silar paattil mayanguvaarSome get spellbound by music,
Male
Silar bottilil mayanguvaarSome get spellbound by the bottle.
Female
Silar kudippadhu polae nadipparSome pretend as if they are drinking,
Male
Silar nadippadhu polae kudippparSome drink as if they are pretending,
Female
Silar paattil mayanguvaarSome get spellbound by music,
Male
Silar bottilil mayanguvaarSome get spellbound by the bottle.
Female
Madhuvukku yaedhu ragasiyamCan alcohol ever keep a secret?
Male
Andha mayakkathil ellaam avasaramIn that state of intoxication, everything is done in haste.
Female
Madhuvukku yaedhu ragasiyamCan alcohol ever keep a secret?
Male
Andha mayakkathil ellaam avasaramIn that state of intoxication, everything is done in haste.
Madhuvil vizhundhavan vaarthaiyaiThe words spoken by a drunken person,
Female
Maru naal ketppadhu avasiyamIt is necessary to verify them the next day.
Gaa.. gamaa mapaa padhaa dhaniGa.. gama mapa pada dani
Nidhaa dhapaa pamaa magaa rigaa…Nida dapa pama maga riga...
Male
Avar ivar yenum mozhiThe respectful words used for someone,
Avan ivan yena varumaeWill degrade into disrespectful tones.
Male
Naanamillai vetkkam illaiThere is no shyness, there is no shame,
Bodhai yerum podhuWhen intoxication takes over.
Female
Nallavanum theeyavanaeEven a good man becomes evil,
Koppai yendhum podhuWhen he holds the cup of liquor.
Female
Silar kudippadhu polae nadipparSome pretend as if they are drinking,
Male
Silar nadippadhu polae kudippparSome drink as if they are pretending,
Female
Silar paattil mayanguvaarSome get spellbound by music,
Male
Silar bottilil mayanguvaarSome get spellbound by the bottle.
Female
Pugazhilum bodhai illaiyoIs there no intoxication in fame?
Pillai mazhalaiyil bodhai illaiyoIs there no intoxication in a child's lisping words?
Pugazhilum bodhai illaiyoIs there no intoxication in fame?
Pillai mazhalaiyil bodhai illaiyoIs there no intoxication in a child's lisping words?
Male
Kaadhalil bodhai illaiyoIs there no intoxication in love?
Nenjin karunaiyil bodhai illaiyoIs there no intoxication in a heart's compassion?
Gaa.. gamaa mapaa padhaa dhaniGa.. gama mapa pada dani
Nidhaa dhapaa pamaa magaa rigaa…Nida dapa pama maga riga...
Female
Manam madhiThe mind and wisdom,
Aram tharum sugamCan liquor ever give the joy,
Madhu tharumoThat righteousness bestows?
Male
Nee ninaikkum bodhai varumYou will find the true high you seek,
Nanmai seidhu paaruTry doing good deeds!
Nimmadhiyai thaedi nindraalIf you are standing in search of peace,
Unmai solli paaruTry speaking the truth!
Female
Silar kudippadhu polae nadipparSome pretend as if they are drinking,
Male
Silar nadippadhu polae kudippparSome drink as if they are pretending,
Female
Silar paattil mayanguvaarSome get spellbound by music,
Male
Silar bottilil mayanguvaarSome get spellbound by the bottle.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic philosophical song from 'Sange Muzhangu' (1972) contrasts the destructive nature of alcoholic intoxication with the wholesome, elevated states of bliss derived from art, virtue, love, and truth. Kannadasan's lyricism explores human hypocrisies around drinking and the loss of dignity and self-control that comes with alcohol.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Chiasmus / Antimetabole

Silar kudippadhu polae nadippar / Silar nadippadhu polae kudipppar

Inversion of repeated words across consecutive lines for emphasis.

Rhetorical Question

Pugazhilum bodhai illaiyo / Pillai mazhalaiyil bodhai illaiyo

Posing questions with obvious moral answers to challenge the listener's perspective on true intoxication.

Emonai (Initial Rhyme) & Etukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Madhuvukku yaedhu ragasiyam / Andha mayakkathil ellaam avasaram

Traditional Tamil poetic meter techniques showcasing internal structural rhythm.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is composed by the legendary duo M. S. Viswanathan and T. K. Ramamoorthy (MSV) and sung by T. M. Soundararajan for the movie starring M. G. Ramachandran (MGR). Kannadasan famously penned several philosophical songs warning against alcoholism despite his own open admissions about his lifestyle.

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