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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aandavan Illa Ulagam

From Oru Oothapoo Kan Simittukiradhu · 1976

Lyricist
Ra. Pazhanisami
Singers
T. M. Soundararajan, Vani Jairam
Music director
V. Dakshinamurthy
Details
Oru Oothapoo Kan Simittukiradhu1976

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Aandavanillaa ulagam edhuWhich world exists without God?
Aasaigal illaa idhayam edhuWhich heart exists without desires?
Male
Aandavanillaa ulagam edhuWhich world exists without God?
Chorus :AilasaaChorus: Ailasaa
Male :Aasaigal illaa idhayam edhuMale: Which heart exists without desires?
Chorus :AilasaaChorus: Ailasaa
Female
Nadhiyirunthaal meenirukkumIf there is a river, fish will be there.
Vidhiyirunthaal saernthirukkumIf destiny wills it, hearts will unite.
Kaalam adhan kolam engo engoWhere will Time draw its intricate patterns?
Chorus
Aandavanillaa ulagam edhu ailasaaWhich world exists without God? Ailasaa.
Aasaigal illaa idhayam edhu ailasaaWhich heart exists without desires? Ailasaa.
Yaelaelo….yaelaelo……yaelaelo……yaelaelo….Yaelaelo... yaelaelo... yaelaelo... yaelaelo...
Male
Pirakkaiyilae vizhigal kooda thirunthirukkaathuAt birth, even the eyes are not fully opened.
Pinnoru naal vizhi irandum thoongavidaathuYet one day, love will not let both eyes sleep.
Female :Pirakkaiyilae vizhigal kooda thirunthirukkaathuFemale: At birth, even the eyes are not fully opened.
Pinnoru naal vizhi irandum thoongavidaathuYet one day, love will not let both eyes sleep.
Male
Aanum pennum mannil vaiththaanHe placed man and woman on this earth.
Aasai ondrai kannil vaiththaanHe placed a yearning desire in their eyes.
Female :Kadhal endra perum vaiththaanFemale: He gave it the name 'Love'.
Kattil ittaan thottil ittaanHe created the nuptial bed and the cradle.
Both :Kaalam adhan kolam engo engoBoth: Where will Time draw its intricate patterns?
Male
Aandavanillaa ulagam edhuWhich world exists without God?
Chorus :AilasaaChorus: Ailasaa
Male :Aasaigal illaa idhayam edhuMale: Which heart exists without desires?
Chorus :AilasaaChorus: Ailasaa
Chorus
Ailasaa…..ailasaa…..ailasaa…..ailasaa….Ailasaa... ailasaa... ailasaa... ailasaa...
Male
Ullathilae vidhai vizhunthu udhayamaavathuA seed falls in the mind and dawns into desire.
Udalukkullae vaer vizhunthu adhigamaavathuTaking root inside the body, it grows deeper.
Chorus :Mmmhmmm mheeemmmmheemmmmChorus: Mmmhmmm mheeemmmmheemmmm
Female
Ullathilae vidhai vizhunthu udhayamaavathuA seed falls in the mind and dawns into desire.
Udalukkullae vaer vizhunthu adhigamaavathuTaking root inside the body, it grows deeper.
Male
Udhiraththilae vidhai vizhunthu udhayamaavathuA seed falls in the blood and dawns into life.
Udalukkullae vaer vizhunthu adhigamaavathuTaking root inside the body, it grows deeper.
Female :Iravellaam kanavu kanduFemale: Dreaming throughout the night,
Inainthavudan irandum ondruOnce united, two become one.
Both :Kaalam adhan kolam engo engoBoth: Where will Time draw its intricate patterns?
Male
Aandavanillaa ulagam edhuWhich world exists without God?
Chorus :AilasaaChorus: Ailasaa
Male :Aasaigal illaa idhayam edhuMale: Which heart exists without desires?
Chorus :AilasaaChorus: Ailasaa

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic song explores the philosophical connection between divinity, human desire, fate, and the natural progression of life and love. Set to a folk boatman rhythm (Ailasaa), the lyrics posit that just as a world cannot exist without God, a human heart cannot exist without desires. Fate guides lovers together just as water sustains fish, and Time weaves its unpredictable patterns across human lives. The song poetically traces human development from an innocent newborn whose eyes can barely open, to an adult consumed by love and longing, leading to union, marriage, and childbirth as ordained by the creator.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Rhetorical Question

Aandavanillaa ulagam edhu

Posing questions that imply an obvious answer to emphasize the universal truths of creation and human nature.

Edukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Nadhiyirunthaal meenirukkum / Vidhiyirunthaal saernthirukkum

The second consonant 'dhi' matches across consecutive lines ('Nadhiyirunthaal' / 'Vidhiyirunthaal'), creating a melodic harmony.

Extended Metaphor

Ullathilae vidhai vizhunthu udhayamaavathu / Udalukkullae vaer vizhunthu adhigamaavathu

Compares love and human passion to a seed taking root in the mind and body, eventually yielding new life.

Monaai (Initial Alliteration)

Aanum pennum mannil vaiththaan / Aasai ondrai kannil vaiththaan

Repetition of the 'Aa' vowel sound at the start of words across lines.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Oru Oothapoo Kan Simittukiradhu' (1976) was directed by S. P. Muthuraman and starred Kamal Haasan and Sujatha. The music was composed by the legendary Malayalam composer V. Dakshinamurthy, who brought a unique semi-classical folk style to the soundtrack. The song integrates boatmen folk chants ('Ailasaa') with philosophical lyrics penned by Ra. Pazhanisami.

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