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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aanpillai Endralum

From Aarilirunthu Arubathu Varai · 1979

Lyricist
Panchu Arunachalam
Singers
S. P. Sailaja, B. S. Sasirekha
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Aarilirunthu Arubathu Varai1979

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Aan pillai endraalumEven if he is a male child,
Saan pillai thaan androIs he not just a span tall?
Female: Mooththa pillai kaaval endraanaeFemale: He said the eldest child is the protector,
Kaathu nirkkum veeram kondaanae…ae…ae…He possessed the bravery to stand guard...
Female
Dheepaththai yettrinaanHe lit the lamp,
Paapathai pokkinaanHe eradicated the sins,
Vaazhvennum perungadalil poraadinaanHe fought in the great ocean called life,
Female
Thaeniyai polavaeJust like a honeybee,
Naalengum odinaanHe ran around all day long,
Anbennum kulavilakkaai oli veesinaanHe shone brightly as the lamp of love for the family,
Female
Kaalangal marum nerangal maarumTimes will change, moments will change,
Female :Kaalangal marum nerangal maarumFemale: Times will change, moments will change,
Female :Nambikkai ullathil poovaaga maarumFemale: Hope will blossom like a flower in the heart,
Female
Edhir neechal podavumTo swim against the current,
Pudhu vaazhvu thedavumAnd to search for a new life,
Sinnanjiru pillai ivanThis tiny little child,
ThunindhaanammaaDared to act, oh mother!
Female
Yen endru ketkkavumTo question why,
Naanendru kooravumAnd to declare 'It is I',
Poruppudanae perunjumaiyaiWith responsibility, a heavy burden,
SumandhaanammaaHe bore it, oh mother!
Female
Nenjukkul dheivam vaazhgindra koyilA temple where God resides inside the heart,
Female :Nenjukkul dheivam vaazhgindra koyilFemale: A temple where God resides inside the heart,
Female :Ennaalum thunaiyunduFemale: You will always have support,
Nee vaazha vendum………..You must live long...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This emotional song highlights the profound sense of duty, selfless sacrifice, and resilience of a young eldest son taking responsibility for his family. It uses poignant imagery to depict his tireless struggles, comparing his hard work to that of a honeybee and his hardships to swimming against the current in the vast ocean of life. Despite the overwhelming burdens he carries at such a young age, the song conveys a strong message of optimism and divine blessing. It assures that difficult times will inevitably change and that inner strength and faith will guide him to a peaceful life.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Proverbial Allusion

Aan pillai endraalum Saan pillai thaan andro

References the famous Tamil idiom 'Aan pillai endraalum saan pillai' to emphasize male responsibility and duty despite small physical stature.

Metaphor

Vaazhvennum perungadalil poraadinaan

Life is metaphorically equated to a vast ocean ('Vaazhvennum perungadalil') through which one must fight and navigate.

Simile (Uvamai)

Thaeniyai polavae Naalengum odinaan

The young boy's constant hard work throughout the day is compared using 'polavae' to the industrious nature of a honeybee.

End Rhyme (Iyaibu)

Dheepaththai yettrinaan Paapathai pokkinaan

Sequential lines use matching verb endings ('yettrinaan', 'pokkinaan', 'poraadinaan', 'odinaan') to create a rhythmic cadence.

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Trivia

Aarilirunthu Arubathu Varai (1979) features Rajinikanth in one of his most critically acclaimed dramatic performances as Santhanam. Though credited as Unknown in the context, the music was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja and lyrics were penned by Panchu Arunachalam.

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