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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aadhiyilum Paraiyan Alla

From Harichandra – 1968 Film · 1968

Lyricist
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Movie name
Harichandra – 1968 Film
Movie release year
1968
Lyrics added on
27 Jan 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Dialogue……………
Yaaradi kalli nee dhaan
Adatha irulilae vandhu
Peridi soozhum velai
Pinaithanai sudavum aanaai
Kooradi unmai yaavum
Uraiyaamal vidavum matten
Paaradi soodukolalae
Padhaithida sidhaithu selven
Dialogue……………
Dialogue……………
Aadhiyilum paraiyanalla
Jaathiyilum paraiyanalla
Aadhiyilum paraiyanalla
Jaathiyilum paraiyanalla
Needhiyilum paraiyanallavae
Naanae paadhiyil paraiyan aanenane
Aadhiyilum paraiyanalla
Jaathiyilum paraiyanalla
Needhiyilum paraiyanallavae
Naanae paadhiyil paraiyan aanenane
Velli panam kettavarukku
Alli alli eendra kaiyaal
Velli panam kettavarukku
Alli alli eendra kaiyaal
Kolli kaasu vaangal aanenae
Naanae thollulagil paraiyaanenanae
Aadhiyilum paraiyanalla
Jaathiyilum paraiyanalla
Needhiyilum paraiyanallavae
Naanae paadhiyil paraiyan aanenane
Thathuvathin needhiyilae
Jaathiyillai baedhamillai
Thathuvathin needhiyilae
Jaathiyillai baedhamillai
Iththaraiyil un vasaiyaalae veenae
Iththaraiyil un vasaiyaalae veenae
Indru naan paraiyaanaenanae
Aadhiyilum paraiyanalla
Jaathiyilum paraiyanalla
Needhiyilum paraiyanallavae
Naanae paadhiyil paraiyan aanenane
[Dialogue]
Who are you, wicked woman?
Coming here in this dreadful darkness,
at an hour surrounded by crashing thunder,
you have come to burn a corpse!
Tell me the whole truth!
I will not let you go without speaking up!
Look here, with this burning poker,
I will strike you till you shatter in pain!
[Dialogue]
[Dialogue]
I was not an outcaste from the beginning,
nor am I an outcaste by birth.
I was not an outcaste from the beginning,
nor am I an outcaste by birth.
In the eyes of justice, I am no outcaste either,
yet halfway through life, an outcaste I became!
I was not an outcaste from the beginning,
nor am I an outcaste by birth.
In the eyes of justice, I am no outcaste either,
yet halfway through life, an outcaste I became!
To anyone who asked for silver coins,
with hands that once gave away heaps of wealth,
to anyone who asked for silver coins,
with hands that once gave away heaps of wealth,
I am now reduced to collecting funeral fees!
In this ancient world, an outcaste I became!
I was not an outcaste from the beginning,
nor am I an outcaste by birth.
In the eyes of justice, I am no outcaste either,
yet halfway through life, an outcaste I became!
In the true justice of higher philosophy,
there is no caste, there is no division.
In the true justice of higher philosophy,
there is no caste, there is no division.
Yet on this earth, cursed by your wrath, in vain,
yet on this earth, cursed by your wrath, in vain,
today, an outcaste I became!
I was not an outcaste from the beginning,
nor am I an outcaste by birth.
In the eyes of justice, I am no outcaste either,
yet halfway through life, an outcaste I became!
Female
Male
Female
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song belongs to the legendary tale of King Harichandra, renowned for his absolute devotion to truth. Having surrendered his kingdom, wealth, and status to honor his promise to Sage Vishwamitra, Harichandra is forced to work as a caretaker at a cremation ground. In the first section, he confronts his wife Chandramathi, who has arrived late at night to cremate their deceased son, without recognizing her initially and demanding the mandatory tax for burning the corpse. In the second section, Harichandra laments his tragic downfall, expressing how he was once a noble king who gave away silver coins without hesitation, but is now forced to collect burial coins as an outcast in the eyes of society.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)

“Aadhiyilum paraiyanalla / Jaathiyilum paraiyanalla”

The second letter consonant rhyming across lines, such as 'Aadhiyilum' and 'Jaathiyilum' (dh/th sound alignment) and 'Velli' / 'Alli' / 'Kolli'.

Emona / Monai (Initial rhyming)

“Needhiyilum paraiyanallavae / Naanae paadhiyil paraiyan aanenane”

Initial sound matching in words within lines or consecutive lines, such as 'Needhiyilum' and 'Naanae'.

Repetition / Anaphora

“Aadhiyilum paraiyanalla / Jaathiyilum paraiyanalla”

Repetition of entire phrases like 'Aadhiyilum paraiyanalla / Jaathiyilum paraiyanalla' to emphasize the anguish of losing one's identity and status.

Did you know?

Trivia

The story of Harichandra is one of the oldest and most celebrated moral parables in Indian mythology and cinema. This 1968 Tamil adaptation features lyrics by Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass, capturing the philosophical depth of social equality, caste critique, and unwavering adherence to duty.

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