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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aara Thedum

From Vellai Yaanai · 2020

Lyricist
Rajumurugan
Singer
Santhosh Narayanan
Music director
Santhosh Narayanan
Details
Vellai Yaanai2020

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Aalam pondhu thavittu kunjuThe tiny chick in the banyan tree hollow
Aara thaedum aara thaedumWho is it searching for? Who is it searching for?
Chorus :Aara thaedum aara thaedumChorus: Who is it searching for? Who is it searching for?
Male
Mottapana munisaamiMuniswamy deity of the round pot shrine
Aara thaedum aara thaedumWho is it searching for? Who is it searching for?
Chorus :Aara thaedum aara thaedumChorus: Who is it searching for? Who is it searching for?
Male
Lorry yethum aathu mannuThe river sand loaded onto trucks
Aara thaedum aara thaedumWho is it searching for? Who is it searching for?
Chorus :Aara thaedum aara thaedumChorus: Who is it searching for? Who is it searching for?
Male
Soru pootha yeru kalappaThe wooden plough that brought forth food
Aara thaedum aara thaedumWho is it searching for? Who is it searching for?
Oh oh…oh oh…Oh oh... oh oh...
Chorus
Sanamae en sanamaeMy people, oh my people
Onna thaedumIt searches for you
Kaathu ninna saami ellaamAll the guardian gods who stood watch
Kanna moodumWill close their eyes
Kanna moodumWill close their eyes
Male
Veppa mara kaathellaamAll the breeze from the neem tree
Veppa mara kaathellaamAll the breeze from the neem tree
Vedha potta kaiya thaedumSearches for the hands that sowed the seeds
Kudi vandha kuruvi ellaamAll the birds that came to live here
Uzhundha mannu puzhu thaedumSearch for worms in the ploughed soil
Male
Poosaram pootha paththayamThe granary that bloomed like a floral garland
Pudhu nellu vaasam thaedumSearches for the fragrance of fresh paddy
Muppoga boomi ellaamAll the land that yielded three crops
Veedaaga vela thaedumSearches for labor that felt like home
Chorus
Aara thaedum aara thaedumWho is it searching for? Who is it searching for?
Aara thaedum aara thaedumWho is it searching for? Who is it searching for?
Chorus
Sanamae en sanamaeMy people, oh my people
Onna thaedumIt searches for you
Kaathu ninna saami ellaamAll the guardian gods who stood watch
Kanna moodumWill close their eyes
Kanna moodumWill close their eyes
Chorus
Aara thaedum aara thaedumWho is it searching for? Who is it searching for?
Aara thaedum aara thaedumWho is it searching for? Who is it searching for?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant song from the film 'Vellai Yaanai' expresses the profound grief and longing felt by the natural elements, village land, and deity spirits when farmers abandon agriculture and migrate away. Written by Raju Murugan, the lyricist paints a picture of a deserted village where nature itself yearns for human labor and care. From the birds in banyan trees and river sand to the neem breeze and empty granaries, every element is personified as endlessly searching for the hardworking hands of the farmer. The song concludes with a tragic reflection that when the people leave their roots, even the local guardian gods shut their eyes in silent mourning over the loss of agrarian life.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Anaphora / Repetition

Aara thaedum aara thaedum

The phrase 'Aara thaedum' is repeated continuously as a rhetorical question to emphasize the deep yearning of nature.

Personification

Veppa mara kaathellaam Vedha potta kaiya thaedum

The breeze from the neem trees is given the human emotion and intent of searching for the sower's hand.

Imagery

Poosaram pootha paththayam Pudhu nellu vaasam thaedum

Evokes vivid rural sights like the granary blooming like flowers and smelling of fresh paddy.

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming in Tamil)

Vedha potta kaiya thaedum / Uzhundha mannu puzhu thaedum

The second consonant 'dha' rhymes in 'Vedha' and 'Uzhundha', giving rhythmic flow to the Tamil verse.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Vellai Yaanai' is a Tamil social drama directed by Subramaniam Siva and starring Samuthirakani. Composed by Santhosh Narayanan, the movie's soundtrack captures rural distress and issues surrounding agrarian land exploitation. Raju Murugan's lyrics extensively use authentic Tamil agricultural vocabulary.

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