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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ulagam Polladha

From Anathai Ananthan · 1970

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Anathai Ananthan1970

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Ulagam pollaadha ulagamThe world is a wicked world
Evarum thodaadha paruvamAn age untouched by anyone
Vivaram sollaamal puriyumUnderstood without needing explanation
Idhil paadhi matum nee paarppadharkkuOnly half of this is for you to see
Adhai parppadhu thaan sugam unakkuAnd seeing that itself brings you pleasure
Idhil paadhi matum nee paarppadharkkuOnly half of this is for you to see
Adhai parppadhu thaan sugam unakkuAnd seeing that itself brings you pleasure
Female
Ulagam pollaadha ulagamThe world is a wicked world
Evarum thodaadha paruvamAn age untouched by anyone
Vivaram sollaamal puriyumUnderstood without needing explanation
Idhil paadhi matum nee paarppadharkkuOnly half of this is for you to see
Adhai parppadhu thaan sugam unakkuAnd seeing that itself brings you pleasure
Idhil paadhi matum nee paarppadharkkuOnly half of this is for you to see
Adhai parppadhu thaan sugam unakkuAnd seeing that itself brings you pleasure
Female
Marathil illaadha kanigalFruits not found on trees
Kaniyil illadha suvaigalFlavors not found in fruits
Suvaithaal vidaatha virundhuA feast that won't let go once tasted
Virundhai vidaamal arundhuConsume this feast without leaving
Female
Marathil illaadha kanigalFruits not found on trees
Kaniyil illadha suvaigalFlavors not found in fruits
Suvaithaal vidaatha virundhuA feast that won't let go once tasted
Virundhai vidaamal arundhuConsume this feast without leaving
Female
Ulagam pollaadha ulagamThe world is a wicked world
Evarum thodaadha paruvamAn age untouched by anyone
Vivaram sollaamal puriyumUnderstood without needing explanation
Idhil paadhi matum nee paarppadharkkuOnly half of this is for you to see
Adhai parppadhu thaan sugam unakkuAnd seeing that itself brings you pleasure
Female
Ezhai pennaaga pirandheanI was born as a poor girl
Ilamai pennaaga valarndheanI grew up as a youthful girl
Pudhumai pennaaga malarndhaenI blossomed as a modern woman
Puratchi pennaaga uyarndhaenI rose as a revolutionary woman
Female
Ezhai pennaaga pirandheanI was born as a poor girl
Ilamai pennaaga valarndheanI grew up as a youthful girl
Pudhumai pennaaga malarndhaenI blossomed as a modern woman
Puratchi pennaaga uyarndhaenI rose as a revolutionary woman
Female
Ulagam pollaadha ulagamThe world is a wicked world
Evarum thodaadha paruvamAn age untouched by anyone
Vivaram sollaamal puriyumUnderstood without needing explanation
Idhil paadhi matum nee paarppadharkkuOnly half of this is for you to see
Adhai parppadhu thaan sugam unakkuAnd seeing that itself brings you pleasure
Idhil paadhi matum nee paarppadharkkuOnly half of this is for you to see
Adhai parppadhu thaan sugam unakkuAnd seeing that itself brings you pleasure

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Ulagam Pollaadha Ulagam from the 1970 movie Anathai Ananthan is a classic Tamil track written by legendary lyricist Kannadasan and set to music by K. V. Mahadevan. Sung by P. Susheela, the song poetically explores youth, sensory delight, and the allure of mysteries that are better felt and partially seen than fully revealed. Through metaphors of otherworldly fruits and irresistible feasts, it captures the unspoken intimacy and fascination of youth. Additionally, the lyrics trace a progressive arc of womanhood—from being born poor to growing youthful, blossoming into modernity, and ultimately rising as a revolutionary force.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Anadiplosis (Eyalbu / Antadi)

Suvaithaal vidaatha virundhu / Virundhai vidaamal arundhu

The word 'virundhu' (feast) at the end of line 17 is immediately picked up at the start of line 18 ('Virundhai').

Anaphora and End Rhyme (Iyaibu)

Ezhai pennaaga pirandhean / Ilamai pennaaga valarndhean

Sequential lines repeat 'pennaaga' and end with the rhyming verb suffix '-ean' (pirandhean, valarndhean, malarndhaen, uyarndhaen).

Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

Marathil illaadha kanigal / Kaniyil illadha suvaigal

Youthful charms and unseen beauties are metaphorically described as fruits not found on trees and flavors not found in fruits.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Pudhumai pennaaga malarndhaen / Puratchi pennaaga uyarndhaen

Repetition of initial consonant sounds across adjacent lines (Pudhumai / Puratchi).

Did you know?

Trivia

Anathai Ananthan (1970) was directed by Krishnan-Panju and starred A. V. M. Rajan, Jayalalithaa, and Master Sekhar. The song stands out in Kannadasan's repertoire for its clever dual-layered lyrics that balance romantic subtlety with themes of modern female empowerment.

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