T. M. Soundarajan and P. Susheela debate gender roles in ‘Vivasayee’s’ ‘Ippadithan Irukka.’ Lyricist Udumalai Narayanakavi crafts a clash between tradition and modernity. Composer K. V. Mahadevan supports this exchange with a conversational melody.
Ippadithan Irukka
P. Susheela | T. M. Soundarajan • From “Vivasayee”
Ippadithan Irukka Lyrics Translation P. Susheela | T. M. Soundarajan | Vivasayee
The man demands modest clothing, stating ‘You shouldn’t display your body’s beauty.’ The woman counters with ‘What’s wrong if we also change a little?’ Her response challenges rigid expectations directly.
Ippadithaan Irukka Venum PombalaA woman’s got to live just like this.
English Padichaalum Inbathamizh NaatileEven if you’ve studied English in this sweet ‘Inbathamizh’ (sweet Tamil) land.
Ippadithaan Irukka Venum PombalaA woman’s got to live just like this.
Unga SorpadiyeAccording to your word,
Nadandhukkuren SollungaI’ll behave, just tell me.
Naan Eppadi Eppadi IrukanumoHowever I’m supposed to be,
Appadi Appadi MaathungaGo ahead and change me like that.
Sorpadiye Nadandhukkuren SollungaI’ll behave according to your word, just tell me.
Ippadithaan Irukka Venum PombalaA woman’s got to live just like this.
Vaanam Paartha VivasayingaThis is a land of farmers,
Naadu AllavooWho look to the sky for rain.
Ingu Maanam Naanam PengalukuHere, modesty and shyness for women,
Aadai AllavooAre as essential as their clothing.
Adhuku Ippadithaan Irukka Venum PombalaThat’s why a woman’s got to live just like this.
Udal Azhagai Oorumecha KaatakoodaadhuYou shouldn’t show off your beauty for the town to praise.
Mele Udupugalai Idupu Theriya MaatakoodaadhuYou shouldn’t wear tops that reveal your waist.
Udal Azhagai Oorumecha KaatakoodaadhuYou shouldn’t show off your beauty for the town to praise.
Mele Udupugalai Idupu Theriya MaatakoodaadhuYou shouldn’t wear tops that reveal your waist.
Udhattu Mele Sivapu Saayam TheetakoodaadhuYou shouldn’t paint your lips with red dye.
Yer Uzhavarukku Yetra Panbai MaatrakoodaadhuDon’t change the nature that’s fit for a plow-wielding farmer.
Naalukunaal Naagarigam MaaridumbodhuWhen civilization changes day by day,
Konjam Naamalundhaan MaarikittaaIf we also change ourselves a little,
Adhile ThappedhuWhat’s the harm in that?
Naalukunaal Naagarigam MaaridumbodhuWhen civilization changes day by day,
Konjam Naamalundhaan MaarikittaaIf we also change ourselves a little,
Adhile ThappedhuWhat’s the harm in that?
Ippadithaan Irukka Venum PombalaA woman’s got to live just like this.
Poo Mudinja KoondhalIs there still the old length,
Pazhaiya Neelam IrukudhaaIn the hair where flowers are tied?
Ipo Ponmbalainga EllaathukkumDo all the women these days,
Puruvam IrukudhaaStill have their eyebrows?
Poo Mudinja KoondhalIs there still the old length,
Pazhaiya Neelam IrukudhaaIn the hair where flowers are tied?
Ipo Ponmbalainga EllaathukkumDo all the women these days,
Puruvam IrukudhaaStill have their eyebrows?
Kazhudha Thenji Katterumbaachi NaatileIn this land where things have dwindled ‘like a donkey wearing down to a wood ant’,
Pengal Kaariyathai Aambala Paakiraan VeetileThe man’s doing the woman’s chores at home.
Ellaarodu Ennaiyum Serka KoodaadhuYou shouldn’t group me with everyone else.
Velai Edhu Koduthaalum Seiven ThappaadhuI’ll do whatever work you give without fail.
Ellaarodu Ennaiyum Serka KoodaadhuYou shouldn’t group me with everyone else.
Velai Edhu Koduthaalum Seiven ThappaadhuI’ll do whatever work you give without fail.
SollungaJust tell me.
Kalai Edukanum Vilaiya VekkanumI’ve got to weed the fields and make the crops grow.
Kadhiru Muthinaa Vayal ArukanumOnce the grain’s ripe, I’ve got to harvest the field.
Kattum Sumakanum Kalamum SekkanumI’ve got to carry the bundles to the ‘kalam’ (threshing floor).
Kaatha Paathu Thoothi VidanumI’ve got to winnow the grain while watching the wind.
Kaala Neram KadandhidaamaWithout letting the right time slip away,
Naalaa Velaiyum Naame PaarkanumWe’ve got to handle all the tasks ourselves.
Ippadithaan Irukka Venum PombalaA woman’s got to live just like this.
English Padichaalum Inbathamizh NaatileEven if you’ve studied English in this sweet ‘Inbathamizh’ (sweet Tamil) land.
Ippadithaan Irukka Venum PombalaA woman’s got to live just like this.
Ippadithan Irukka Music Video
Udumalai Narayanakavi’s ‘Ippadithan Irukka’ lyrics translation examines whether cultural evolution threatens traditional values. The woman’s reasoned arguments emphasize autonomy within societal shifts. This Tamil dialogue remains relevant for understanding gender debates.