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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aalukkoru Thedhi

From Theerppu · 1982

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
M. S. Vishwanathan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Theerppu1982

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics↻ English translation
Male
Theeyae unakkenna theeraatha pasiyoO Fire, do you have an insatiable hunger?
Nee thinna udal ehthanaiyo kanakkidavillaiyoHow many bodies have you consumed, have you not kept count?
Thinna udal eththanaiyo kanakkidavillaiyoHow many bodies consumed, have you not kept count?
Male
Aalukkoru thaedhi vaiththuFixing a date for each person,
Aandavan azhaippaanGod will call.
Aandavan azhaippaanGod will call.
Male
Aalukkoru thaedhi vaiththuFixing a date for each person,
Aandavan azhaippaanGod will call.
Aandavan azhaippaanGod will call.
Male
Appo yaarazhuthaal avanukennaThen, whoever cries, what does He care?
Kaariyam mudippaanHe will complete His task.
Appo yaarazhuthaal avanukennaThen, whoever cries, what does He care?
Kaariyam mudippaanHe will complete His task.
Male
Aalukkoru thaedhi vaiththuFixing a date for each person,
Aandavan azhaippaanGod will call.
Aandavan azhaippaanGod will call.
Male
Bhoomiyilae porakkaiyilaeWhen being born into this world,
Oruththikkuththaan baaramThe burden is on just one woman.
Bhoomi vittu pogaiyilaeWhen leaving this earth,
Naalu perkku paaramThe burden is on four men.
Male
Aalukkoru thaedhi vaiththuFixing a date for each person,
Aandavan azhaippaanGod will call.
Aandavan azhaippaanGod will call.
Male
Pona uyirai niruththi vaikka yaaraalae aagumWho can stop and retain a departing life?
Pogumpothu yaaridamum sollaamal pogumWhen it leaves, it leaves without telling anyone.
Pogumpothu yaaridamum sollaamal pogumWhen it leaves, it leaves without telling anyone.
Male
Alli vachcha aasaiyellaam kolli vachchaa pochchuAll gathered desires end once the funeral fire is lit.
Alli vachcha aasaiyellaam kolli vachchaa pochchuAll gathered desires end once the funeral fire is lit.
Thoongi vitaa odividum vaangu vitta moochchuIf it slips into sleep, the borrowed breath will run away.
Thoongi vitaa odividum vaangu vitta moochchuIf it slips into sleep, the borrowed breath will run away.
Peththeduththa vayarugal thaan paththikittu eriyumOnly the womb that gave birth will burn in agony.
Pillai kutty illaatha emanukenna puriyumWhat would Lord Yama, who has no children, understand?
Male
Aalukkoru thaedhi vaiththuFixing a date for each person,
Aandavan azhaippaanGod will call.
Aandavan azhaippaanGod will call.
Aandavan azhaippaanGod will call.
Aandavan azhaippaan……God will call...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This haunting philosophical track from the movie 'Theerppu' (1982) contemplates the absolute certainty of death and the impermanence of earthly life. Sung and composed by M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics by Vaali, the song addresses the funeral pyre and divine destiny, noting that God sets an unalterable appointed date for every human being's departure from earth regardless of their worldly status or tears. The lyricist poignantly contrasts the burden of birth (felt by a single mother) with death (carried on the shoulders of four pallbearers). It highlights how accumulated earthly desires turn to ashes in an instant and highlights the agonizing pain of a mother's grief, which even Yama, the childless god of death, cannot comprehend.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Personification

“Theeyae unakkenna theeraatha pasiyo”

Fire is personified as an insatiable entity with an endless hunger that devours bodies without keeping count.

Muran (Contrast / Antithesis)

“Bhoomiyilae porakkaiyilae Oruththikkuththaan baaram / Bhoomi vittu pogaiyilae Naalu perkku paaram”

Contrasts the single mother carrying a child at birth ('oruththikkuththaan baaram') against four pallbearers carrying the deceased ('naalu perkku paaram').

Edhukai (Internal Rhyme / Monorhyme)

“Alli vachcha aasaiyellaam kolli vachchaa pochchu”

The second letter consonant rhyming of 'Alli' (gathered) and 'Kolli' (funeral fire), contrasting human greed with mortal end.

Rhetorical Question

“Pillai kutty illaatha emanukenna puriyum”

Questions the emotional capacity of Yama, emphasizing that someone without offspring cannot fathom maternal grief.

Did you know?

Trivia

Featured in the 1982 film 'Theerppu' starring Sivaji Ganesan, this song is composed and sung by music director M. S. Viswanathan himself. MSV was renowned for singing deeply philosophical numbers that required emotional gravitas and raw vocal texture, continuing a rich tradition in Tamil cinema popularized alongside lyricist Vaali.

Keep listening

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