K. Jamunarani’s ‘Illatha Pazhakkam’ from the album ‘Panchali’ features A. Maruthakasi’s sharp Tamil lyrics set to K. V. Mahadevan’s folk-inspired composition. The track contrasts traditional values with unfamiliar social changes.
Illatha Pazhakkam
K. Jamunarani • From “Panchali”
Illatha Pazhakkam Lyrics Translation (from “Panchali”)
Women dance with confident movements while men observe silently, gritting their teeth. Maruthakasi writes about chasing wealth, singing love songs, and straying from cultural paths through repeated contrasts.
Female : Ho o o ho o oHo, oh, oh, ho, oh, oh.
Haa..aa…aa…haa…aa..aa..Haa… aa… aa… haa… aa… aa…
Female : Illaadha pazhakkamThis is a habit that’s never existed.
Idhu illaadha pazhakkamIt’s a habit we’ve never seen before.
Inba tamil naatinilaeIn this sweet land of the Tamils,
Engaladhu yettinilaeit’s not written in our history.
Inba tamil naatinilaeIn this sweet land of the Tamils,
Engaladhu yettinilaeit’s not written in our history.
Illaadha pazhakkamThis is a habit that’s never existed.
Idhu illaadha pazhakkamIt’s a habit we’ve never seen before.
Female : Pallai katti aangal ellaamWhile all the men stare with gritted teeth,
Paarkkum bodhuand watch them closely,
Pagattiyum kulukkiyumwith showy and swaying movements,
Pengal aaduvadhumwomen are dancing.
Female : Pallai katti aangal ellaamWhile the men grit their teeth and stare,
Paarkkum bodhuwhile they’re looking on,
Pagattiyum kulukkiyumwith flashiness and shaking hips,
Pengal aaduvadhumwomen are dancing.
Female : Kaasu panam theduvadhumThey’re chasing after wealth and money,
Kaadhal pattu paaduvadhumand they’re singing songs about love.
Female : Kaasu panam theduvadhumThey’re seeking out riches and cash,
Kaadhal pattu paaduvadhumand they’re singing songs of romance.
Ho o o ho o oHo, oh, oh, ho, oh, oh.
Haa..aa…aa…haa…aa..aa..Haa… aa… aa… haa… aa… aa…
Inba tamil naatinilaeIn this sweet land of the Tamils,
Engaladhu yettinilaeit’s not written in our history.
Inba tamil naatinilaeIn this sweet land of the Tamils,
Engaladhu yettinilaeit’s not written in our history.
Illaadha pazhakkamThis is a habit that’s never existed.
Idhu illaadha pazhakkamIt’s a habit we’ve never seen before.
Female : Maanamulla pengalWhen honorable women,
Manam marukkum bodhurefuse in their hearts,
Vambhugal seivadhummen are causing trouble,
Vaazhvai keduppadhumand they’re ruining their lives.
Female : Maanamulla pengalWhen dignified women,
Manam marukkum bodhurefuse the advances,
Vambhugal seivadhummen start making trouble,
Vaazhvai keduppadhumand destroying their lives.
Female : Panpattai kolluvadhumThey’re killing our culture,
Paadhaimaari selluvadhumand they’re straying from the path.
Female : Panpattai kolluvadhumThey’re destroying our traditions,
Paadhaimaari selluvadhumand they’re wandering off the right track.
Ho o o ho o oHo, oh, oh, ho, oh, oh.
Haa..aa…aa…haa…aa..aa..Haa… aa… aa… haa… aa… aa…
Inba tamil naatinilaeIn this sweet land of the Tamils,
Engaladhu yettinilaeit’s not written in our history.
Inba tamil naatinilaeIn this sweet land of the Tamils,
Engaladhu yettinilaeit’s not written in our history.
Illaadha pazhakkamThis is a habit that’s never existed.
Idhu illaadha pazhakkamIt’s a habit we’ve never seen before.
Illatha Pazhakkam Music Video
The song questions modern behaviors through direct cultural references. Tamil listeners seeking ‘Illatha Pazhakkam lyrics in English’ will find clear translations of its historical comparisons.