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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thirumbi Paaru

From Aaravalli · 1957

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singers
Seerkazhi Govindarajan, Tiruchi Loganathan
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Details
Aaravalli1957

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Thirumbi paaru thambi thirumbi paaruLook back, little brother, look back!
Thirumbi paaru thambi thirumbi paaruLook back, little brother, look back!
Male
Ulaga kazhuthaikku yosanai illaeThe worldly donkey has no forethought or wisdom,
Oru saan vayiru padum thollaiOh, the troubles caused by a stomach just one span wide!
Ulaga kazhuthaikku yosanai illaeThe worldly donkey has no forethought or wisdom,
Oru saan vayiru padum thollaiOh, the troubles caused by a stomach just one span wide!
Male
Sevappu kozhikku vaalu neelamThe red rooster has a long tail,
Theruva suththuthu mathi illaeIt roams the street without any sense.
Sevappu kozhikku vaalu neelamThe red rooster has a long tail,
Theruva suththuthu mathi illaeIt roams the street without any sense.
Male
Elavattam koottam moraikkuthu aalaeThe group of youth stares glare-eyed at people,
Eduththu sonnaalae theriyalae aa…aa….Even if explained clearly, they fail to understand, ah... ah...
Elavattam koottam moraikkuthu aalaeThe group of youth stares glare-eyed at people,
Eduththu sonnaalae theriyalaeEven if explained clearly, they fail to understand.
Aandavanae intha adhisaya maantharOh Almighty God, the story of these strange humans,
Kadhaithaan puriyallaeTruly remains beyond my understanding!
Male
Angae thirumbi paaru thirumbi paaruLook over there, look back, look back!
Angae thirumbi paaruLook over there, look back!
Male
Kodumai seiyyora koottaththai paaruLook at the group of people committing cruelties,
Adukkumaa ivanga aniyaayamIs their injustice at all acceptable?
Eduththukkellaam yaettikki pottiCompeting obstinately against everything,
Enna niyaayamo vibareethamWhat kind of justice is this disaster?
Eduththathukkellaam yaettikki pottiCompeting obstinately against everything,
Enna niyaayamo vibareethamWhat kind of justice is this disaster?
Male
Kannu theriyalae kaadhung ketkkalaeEyes cannot see, ears cannot hear,
Onnum puriyaatha nilai mosamThis state of complete ignorance is terrible.
Chorus :Aanukku ponnu adangurathillaiChorus: Women no longer yield to men,
Abaaya pidhu desamIt is a land struck by danger and mania!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from Aaravalli (1957) is a satirical commentary on social follies, foolishness, and moral degradation. Using allegorical references to animals like donkeys and roosters, the singers criticize people who live aimlessly driven purely by basic instincts and stomach troubles, lacking foresight or wisdom. They lament how the arrogant youth refuse to listen to good advice and continuously engage in senseless conflicts and injustice. The song highlights societal shifts and moral blindness, expressing bewilderment at human behavior and the breakdown of traditional norms in a changing world.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (உருவகம்)

Ulaga kazhuthaikku yosanai illae

Compares foolish, unthinking human beings to donkeys roaming without wisdom.

Initial Alliteration (மோனை)

Thirumbi paaru thambi thirumbi paaru

Repetition of the 'Th' sound at the beginning of words (Thirumbi / Thambi).

Hyperbole (உயர்வு நவிற்சி அணி)

Oru saan vayiru padum thollai

Refers to the entire human plight and greed being driven by a mere 'one span' stomach.

Second-letter Rhyme (எதுகை)

Kannu theriyalae kaadhung ketkkalae

Rhyming of second consonant letters in 'Kannu' and 'Kaadhung'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Aaravalli (1957), directed by S. V. Krishna Rao, is based on a famous Tamil folk legend about the powerful sisters Aaravalli and Sooravalli. Music director G. Ramanathan crafted distinct folk-pop fusion compositions for the film, and this song features a playful dynamic duet between iconic singers Seerkazhi Govindarajan and Tiruchi Loganathan.

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