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Isaimozhi
Kolangal album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Tamizhan Padaichu

From Kolangal · 1995

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Mano, K. S. Chithra
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Kolangal
Movie release year
1995
Lyrics added on
18 Sept 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Thamizhan padachu vecha metteduthu
Vadakkae thirudugiraan
Oruthan arachu vecha maaveduthu
Thirumba arachiduraan
Thamizhan padachu vecha metteduthu
Vadakkae thirudugiraan
Oruthan arachu vecha maaveduthu
Thirumba arachiduraan
Kaalam ippo maariduchu
Female Chorus :O… ho… hoo ooo…
Male :Maari enna aayiduchu
Male Chorus :O… ho… ohoo ooo…
Paatti potta buff ravikka
Female Chorus :O… ho… hoo ooo…
Male :Fashion endru vandhiduchu
Male Chorus :O… ho… ohoo ooo…
Thamizhan padachu vecha metteduthu
Vadakkae thirudugiraan
Oruthan arachu vecha maaveduthu
Thirumba arachiduraan
Sanga kaala pengal ellaam
Male Chorus :O… ho… hoo ooo…
Female :Pandhadichu paarthadhellaam
Female Chorus :O… ho… ohoo ooo…
Volley ball ah aayiduchu
Male Chorus :O… ho… hoo ooo…
Female :Peru mattum maariduchu
Female Chorus :O… ho…o hoo ooo…
Podaa po ellaamae
Nammaalu paatthaachu daa
Thamizhan padachu vecha metteduthu
Vadakkae thirudugiraan
Oruthan arachu vecha maaveduthu
Thirumba arachiduraan
Thamizhan padachu vecha metteduthu
Vadakkae thirudugiraan
Oruthan arachu vecha maaveduthu
Thirumba arachiduraan
Stealing the tunes created by Tamils,
they copy them up in the North.
Taking batter that someone already ground,
they just grind it all over again!
Stealing the tunes created by Tamils,
they copy them up in the North.
Taking batter that someone already ground,
they just grind it all over again!
Times have changed now!
Female Chorus: Oh... ho... ho-o o-o-o...
Male: So what changed? What is so new?
Male Chorus: Oh... ho... oho o-o-o...
The puff-sleeved blouse that grandma wore,
Female Chorus: Oh... ho... ho-o o-o-o...
Male: has simply returned as the latest fashion!
Male Chorus: Oh... ho... oho o-o-o...
Stealing the tunes created by Tamils,
they copy them up in the North.
Taking batter that someone already ground,
they just grind it all over again!
The women of the Sangam (ancient Tamil literary era) age,
Male Chorus: Oh... ho... ho-o o-o-o...
Female: used to play games bouncing and hitting a ball,
Female Chorus: Oh... ho... oho o-o-o...
which has simply become volleyball today,
Male Chorus: Oh... ho... ho-o o-o-o...
Female: only the name has changed!
Female Chorus: Oh... ho... oho o-o-o...
Oh come on, everything...
...our people have already seen and done!
Stealing the tunes created by Tamils,
they copy them up in the North.
Taking batter that someone already ground,
they just grind it all over again!
Stealing the tunes created by Tamils,
they copy them up in the North.
Taking batter that someone already ground,
they just grind it all over again!
Male
Female
Chorus
Female
Female
Female
Male
Male
Male
Chorus
Male
Female
Chorus

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This lighthearted and satirical song penned by Vaali highlights the concept of recycling old ideas into modern trends. Using witty Tamil idioms and cultural references, the song humorously accuses North Indian music industries of copying South Indian tunes, compares recycled ideas to re-grinding already ground batter, and notes that modern inventions like 'volleyball' or 'puffed-sleeve blouses' are merely ancient Tamil traditions re-branded as contemporary fashion.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Analogy / Idiom

Oruthan arachu vecha maaveduthu thirumba arachiduraan

The line 'Oruthan arachu vecha maaveduthu thirumba arachiduraan' (Grinding already ground batter) is a famous colloquial Tamil idiom used to describe unoriginal, repetitive, or derivative work.

Irony / Satire

Paatti potta buff ravikka fashion endru vandhiduchu

The lyrics mock modern novelty by showing that what people call 'fashion' today is simply what grandmothers used to wear, highlighting the cyclical nature of culture.

Monai (Initial Assonance)

Paatti potta buff ravikka

The repetition of the initial 'P' sound ('Paatti' and 'Potta') serves as a traditional Tamil poetic device enhancing rhythm.

Did you know?

Trivia

The movie 'Kolangal' (1995) was directed by veteran director I. V. Sasi and starred Jayaram and Kushboo. The soundtrack was composed by famous composer Deva, who is known for embedding vibrant local folklore and humor into his songs.

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