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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

108 Thenga

From Aandavan Kattalai · 2016

Lyricist
Ganakaravel
Singers
Not listed
Music directors
Not listed
Movie name
Aandavan Kattalai
Movie release year
2016
Lyrics added on
24 May 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
108 thenga
Dhinam dhinam odaika dhaan da
Manasula kotta katturom
Aana paathikatti vaazhkai
Sangadatha nattuvaika
Santhoshtha thedi odurom
Vali sumantha dhaan
Adhu odambu
Atha thaangaati
Verum thurumbu
Naama 108 thenga
Dhinam dhinam odaika dhaan da
Manasula kotta katturom
Odaa odaa ulagam viriyum
Theda theda manasu theliyum
Varunkalam adamazhaiya
Unna varamaga nanaikum
Thothupona vazhva mootta kattu
Thethapora naala kumbittu
108 thenga
Dhinam dhinam odaika dhaan da
Manasula kotta katturom
Naama 108 thenga
Dhinam dhinam odaika dhaan da
Manasula kotta katturom
A hundred and eight coconuts,
Just to break them every day, man,
We build castles in our minds.
Yet life remains only half-built,
And as troubles take root,
We keep running in search of happiness.
Only if it carries pain
Is it truly a body;
If it cannot bear that,
It is nothing more than a piece of straw.
We, with a hundred and eight coconuts,
Just to break them every day, man,
Build castles in our minds.
As you keep running, the world will open up,
As you keep searching, your mind will become clear.
The future, like a heavy downpour,
Will soak you with blessings.
Pack away your defeated life,
And pray to the days that will lift you up.
A hundred and eight coconuts,
Just to break them every day, man,
We build castles in our minds.
We, with a hundred and eight coconuts,
Just to break them every day, man,
Build castles in our minds.
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song reflects on the relentless struggles, vulnerability, and resilience of human life. Using the ritual metaphor of breaking 108 coconuts—a traditional act of offering and destruction—the lyrics depict how humans face daily hardships that break them down. Despite lives being partially constructed or burdened with distress, people persistently dream big and chase happiness.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

“Naama 108 thenga Dhinam dhinam odaika dhaan da”

Compares human beings facing daily hardships to 108 ritual coconuts intended to be broken repeatedly.

Metaphor

“Atha thaangaati Verum thurumbu”

Compares a human body incapable of enduring pain to a frail, insignificant piece of straw.

Imagery

“Varunkalam adamazhaiya Unna varamaga nanaikum”

Uses the vivid image of heavy downpours drenching someone as a symbol for overwhelming future blessings.

Did you know?

Trivia

This philosophical track features in M. Manikandan's critically acclaimed film Aandavan Kattalai (2016), composed by K with lyrics by Ganakaravel, capturing the everyday economic and personal struggles of middle-class youth.

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