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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Valaipugum Podhe

From Kalvanin Kadhali -(1955) · 1955

Lyricist
Pampatti Sithar
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
G. Govindarajulu Naidu
Details
Kalvanin Kadhali -(1955)1955

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Valaipugum pothae thalai vaangum paambaeOh serpent that withdraws its head when entering its hole,
Mandalamittudal valai vanna paambaeOh serpent coiled up with a bangle-patterned body,
Male
Valaipugum pothae thalai vaangum paambaeOh serpent that withdraws its head when entering its hole,
Mandalamittudal valai vanna paambaeOh serpent coiled up with a bangle-patterned body,
Male
Thalaikkanji Nindridum saththiya paambaeOh truthful serpent that stands humbly with a bowed head,
Thalaikkanji Nindridum saththiya paambaeOh truthful serpent that stands humbly with a bowed head,
Thalaiyeduththae vilaiyaadu paambaeRaise your hood and dance, oh serpent!
Aadu paambae vilaiyaadu paambaeDance, oh serpent, dance and play!
Male
Kandavargal orukkaalum vindidaargalThose who have seen the Supreme Truth will never speak of it,
Vindavargal orukkaalum kandidaarkalThose who speak of it have never truly seen it.
Kandavargal orukkaalum vindidaargalThose who have seen the Supreme Truth will never speak of it,
Vindavargal orukkaalum kandidaarkalThose who speak of it have never truly seen it.
Male
Konda kolam ullavargalThose who cling to superficial forms and religious disguises,
Kon nilai kaanaarWill never realize the state of the Supreme Divine.
Konda kolam ullavargalThose who cling to superficial forms and religious disguises,
Kon nilai kaanaarWill never realize the state of the Supreme Divine.
Kooththaadi kooththaadi aadu paambaeDance joyously with exuberance, oh serpent!
Aadu paambae vilaiyaadu paambaeDance, oh serpent, dance and play!
Male
Thanthiram solluvaar thammi ariyaaeThey preach techniques without knowing themselves,
Thani manthiram solluvaar porul ariyaarThey chant secret mantras without understanding their meaning.
Thanthiram solluvaar thammi ariyaaeThey preach techniques without knowing themselves,
Thani manthiram solluvaar porul ariyaarThey chant secret mantras without understanding their meaning.
Male
Manthiram jebippaarkal…aaa…aa..aa…They chant mantras... aaa... aa.. aa...
Manthiram jebippaarkal vatta veettinulThey recite incantations inside a circular house,
Manthiram jebippaarkal vatta veettinulThey recite incantations inside a circular house,
Mathilinai suttruvaar vaayil kaanaarThey circle the boundary walls but fail to find the entrance.
Aadu paambae vilaiyaadu paambaeDance, oh serpent, dance and play!
Male
Antharam sendrumae ver pidungiReaching into the ethereal realm to pull out the root of ignorance,
Arul enum nyaanaththaal undai saerththaeGathering it into a medicinal pill through the wisdom of grace,
Antharam sendrumae ver pidungiReaching into the ethereal realm to pull out the root of ignorance,
Arul enum nyaanaththaal undai saerththaeGathering it into a medicinal pill through the wisdom of grace,
Male
Intha marunthinai thinbeeraagilIf you consume this divine medicine,
Intha marunthinai thinbeeraagilIf you consume this divine medicine,
Ini pirappu illai endru aadu paambaeDance, oh serpent, knowing there will be no more rebirths!
Aadu paambae vilaiyaadu paambaeDance, oh serpent, dance and play!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic song features the philosophical verses of the ancient Tamil Siddhar, Pampatti Siddhar, adapted for the movie Kalvanin Kadhali (1955). The address to the 'serpent' (paambu) serves as a profound allegory for Kundalini energy dormant within the human body. The song exposes the hypocrisy of ritualistic practitioners who perform superficial chants, wear elaborate religious garbs, and preach doctrines without self-realization.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Allegory / Metaphor

Aadu paambae vilaiyaadu paambae

The serpent ('paambu') is used as an allegory for Kundalini energy and human consciousness, representing spiritual awakening as raising its hood.

Paradox

Kandavargal orukkaalum vindidaargal / Vindavargal orukkaalum kandidaarkal

A famous spiritual paradox highlighting that true enlightenment transcends verbal description; those who experience it remain silent, and those who talk about it have not experienced it.

Emonai / Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Thanthiram solluvaar thammi ariyaae

Repetition of initial consonants like 'Th' in 'Thanthiram' and 'Thani manthiram', creating rhythmic lyrical flow.

Did you know?

Trivia

Pampatti Siddhar is one of the eighteen celebrated Siddhars in Tamil tradition, famous for ending every verse with 'Aadu Paambae' (Dance, serpent!). This song in the 1955 movie 'Kalvanin Kadhali' helped bring classical Siddhar philosophical poetry into popular Tamil film music.

Keep listening

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