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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vaarungal Vilaiyaduvom

From Kai Pidithaval · 1978

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Vani Jairam, P. Suseela
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Kai Pidithaval1978

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Aanennum pulikoottamaeOh herd of tigers named men,
Pennennum maan koottamaeOh herd of deer named women,
Elloraiyum varaverkiromWe welcome everyone,
Yaethetho edhirpaarkiromWe expect various things.
Male
Vaarungal vilaiyaaduvomCome, let us play,
Yaarendru edai poduvomLet us weigh and see who is who.
Kelungal pathil solgirenAsk me, I shall answer,
Kelaatha kadhai solgiraenI shall tell an unheard story.
Male
Vaarungal vilaiyaaduvomCome, let us play,
Yaarendru edai poduvomLet us weigh and see who is who.
Kelungal pathil solgirenAsk me, I shall answer,
Kelaatha kadhai solgiraenI shall tell an unheard story.
Male
Aadungal aadungal nadamaadungalDance, dance, dance along,
Yaarendru mudivaana padhil kaanungalFind a conclusive answer as to who is who.
Aadungal aadungal nadamaadungalDance, dance, dance along,
Yaarendru mudivaana padhil kaanungalFind a conclusive answer as to who is who.
Mael naattu isai potti nadakattumaeLet the Western music competition take place,
Maenmaigal vanmaigal mothattumaeLet excellence and strength clash!
Male
…………….....
Male
Aangalthaan ulagathil mudhal vanthathuIt was men who came first into the world.
Female :Adhanaalthaan ulagengum por vanthathuFemale: That is why war came all across the world!
Male :Aangalthaan ulagathil mudhal vanthathuMale: It was men who came first into the world.
Female :Adhanaalthaan ulagengum por vanthathuFemale: That is why war came all across the world!
Male :Pazhamaikku pudhumaikkum bedhamennaMale: What is the difference between antiquity and modernity?
Pazhamaikku pudhumaikkum bedhamennaWhat is the difference between antiquity and modernity?
Female :Adhu padhamaanathu idhu midhamaanathuFemale: That one is gentle and refined, this one is moderate.
Adhu padhamaanathu idhu midhamaanathuThat one is gentle and refined, this one is moderate.
Male
Kannikku naanaththai yaar thanthathuWho gave shyness to a maiden?
Kannikku naanaththai yaar thanthathuWho gave shyness to a maiden?
Female :Adhu karpennum porulodu thaai thanthathuFemale: Mother gave it along with the virtue of chastity.
Adhu karpennum porulodu thaai thanthathuMother gave it along with the virtue of chastity.
Male :Kattil endru edharkaaga peyar vanthathuMale: Why was it named 'Kattil' (cot/bed)?
Kattil endru edharkaaga peyar vanthathuWhy was it named 'Kattil' (cot/bed)?
Female :Adhu katti kondu uravaadumFemale: It speaks of the joy of embracing and bonding,
Sugam solvathu sugam solvathuIt speaks of joy, it speaks of joy.
Male
Vaarungal vilaiyaaduvomCome, let us play,
Yaarendru edai poduvomLet us weigh and see who is who.
Kelungal pathil solgirenAsk me, I shall answer,
Kelaatha kadhai solgiraenI shall tell an unheard story.
Male
Pettai kozhigal adhigamHens (female chickens) should not crow
Adhigam koova koodaathuToo much!
Female :Seval kozhikal muttai pottaalFemale: If roosters (male chickens) lay eggs,
Ulagam thaangaathuThe world cannot bear it!
Male
Pettai kozhigal adhigamHens (female chickens) should not crow
Adhigam koova koodaathuToo much!
Female :Seval kozhikal muttai pottaalFemale: If roosters (male chickens) lay eggs,
Ulagam thaangaathuThe world cannot bear it!
Male
Kattum varaiyil ellaiyaiUntil marriage, within boundaries
Pengal merakkoodaathuWomen should not cross!
Thaali kattum varaiyil ellaiyaiUntil the sacred thread is tied, boundaries
Pengal meerakoodaathWomen should not cross!
Female :Mana kaaval ulla penkalidaththilFemale: To women who possess self-restraint of mind,
Idhai koora koodaathuYou should not say this!
Chorus
………………...
Female
En kelvi ungatkku velai ennaMy question to you: what is your job?
Male :Ippothu idhu velai verae ennaMale: Right now, what other job is there than this?
Female :Yaar meethu ungatkku kadhal unduFemale: Whom do you love?
Male :Thaai meedhu thaniyaatha kadhal unduMale: I have an unquenchable love for my mother.
Female
En kelvi verentha pennum undaaIs there any other woman in your life?
Male :Pennenna ulagaththil onnaa rendaaMale: Are women in this world just one or two?
Female :Sariyaana aal nengal purigindrathuFemale: You are the right person, I understand now.
Male :Ini enna en vettri therigindrathuMale: What now? My victory is clearly visible!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a lively and witty musical debate (patti mandram style duel) between male and female voices. Set in a competitive concert atmosphere, the lyrics engage in playful banter comparing men to tigers and women to deer, while exchanging sharp retorts on gender roles, ancient tradition versus modern mindsets, and courtship boundaries. Written by Kannadasan, the song humorously balances tradition, charm, and quick wit, ending with mutual understanding and playful triumph.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Aanennum pulikoottamae / Pennennum maan koottamae

Comparing men to a pack of tigers ('pulikoottamae') and women to a herd of deer ('maan koottamae') to establish a predatory versus gentle dynamic.

Wordplay / Etymological Pun (Sledai)

Kattil endru edharkaaga peyar vanthathu / Adhu katti kondu uravaadum

Explaining the word 'Kattil' (bed) by deriving it from 'katti kondu' (embracing together), playing on Tamil root words.

Irony / Idiomatic Metaphor

Pettai kozhigal adhigam koova koodaathu / Seval kozhikal muttai pottaal ulagam thaangaathu

Using the absurd image of roosters laying eggs ('Seval kozhikal muttai pottaal') to counter traditional proverbs about hens crowing.

Did you know?

Trivia

Featured in Kai Pidithaval (1978), this track was composed by the duo Shankar-Ganesh and voiced by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Vani Jairam, and P. Suseela. Kannadasan's playful usage of Tamil proverbs and gender rivalry tropes remains a highlight of 1970s light-hearted film music debates.

Keep listening

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