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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aasai Alaikalil Aadum

From Kula Gouravam · 1974

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
Seerkazhi Govindarajan
Music director
S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
Details
Kula Gouravam1974

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Aasai alaigalil aadumDancing on the waves of desire,
Intha maanida vaazhvoru oodamThis human life is a small boat.
Aasai alaigalil aadumDancing on the waves of desire,
Intha maanida vaazhvoru oodamThis human life is a small boat.
Male
Adhu ooduvathum karai saeruvathumWhere it sails and where it reaches the shore,
Entha idam endru yaar solla koodumWho can tell where that place will be?
Male
Maaligai vaasa thanthaiyin paasamLiving in a palace, a father's deep love,
Maranthathu unthan kalaigalin mogamWas forgotten due to your obsession with the arts.
Maaligai vaasa thanthaiyin paasamLiving in a palace, a father's deep love,
Maranthathu unthan kalaigalin mogamWas forgotten due to your obsession with the arts.
Male
Kadhalil yaavum izhanthavar pinbuThose who lost everything in love, afterwards,
Kadhalil yaavum izhanthavar pinbuThose who lost everything in love, afterwards,
Kadhalukkaaga varunthuvathundu….Often end up regretting for the sake of love....
Kadhalukkaaga varunthuvathundu….Often end up regretting for the sake of love....
Male
Nadappathu yaavum iraivanai kettuEverything that happens is ordained by God,
Nallathendraagum kaalaththin theerppuThe verdict of time will ultimately prove to be good.
Nadappathu yaavum iraivanai kettuEverything that happens is ordained by God,
Nallathendraagum kaalaththin theerppuThe verdict of time will ultimately prove to be good.
Male
Oor pazhiththaalum vanthathai yaetruEven if the town blames you, accept what has come,
Oor pazhiththaalum vanthathai yaetruEven if the town blames you, accept what has come,
Seedhaiyai polae vaazhnthu nee kaattu….Show them by living pure and steadfast like Sita....
Seedhaiyai polae vaazhnthu nee kaattu….Show them by living pure and steadfast like Sita....
Male
Kulavazhi vantha gouravam paarththaOh leader, who cherished the honor of family lineage,
Thalaivaa neeyo thani maram indruAre you standing today like a solitary tree?
Kulavazhi vantha gouravam paarththaOh leader, who cherished the honor of family lineage,
Thalaivaa neeyo thani maram indruAre you standing today like a solitary tree?
Male
Paasamum anbum naesamum konduHolding onto affection, love, and goodwill,
Paasamum anbum naesamum konduHolding onto affection, love, and goodwill,
Parambarai vaazha ninaippathu nandruIt is noble to think of sustaining the family legacy.
Parambarai vaazha ninaippathu nandruIt is noble to think of sustaining the family legacy.
Male
Aasai alaigalil aadumDancing on the waves of desire,
Intha maanida vaazhvoru oodamThis human life is a small boat.
Male
Adhu ooduvathum karai saeruvathumWhere it sails and where it reaches the shore,
Entha idam endru yaar solla koodumWho can tell where that place will be?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This philosophical song from Kula Gouravam reflects on the unpredictable nature of human destiny and family honor. It compares human life to a frail boat tossed around by the restless waves of desire, emphasizing that no one can foresee where life's journey will ultimately lead. The lyricist addresses themes of filial love forgotten for artistic passion, the heartbreaks of sacrifice in love, and the suffering endured when maintaining family pride. Despite trials and public blame, the song offers solace and ethical guidance. It advises surrendering to divine decree and time's ultimate justice, urging the listener to live with unblemished integrity like Sita. It also laments the isolation of a patriarch who protected his family lineage only to end up alone like a solitary tree, while reminding everyone that true nobility lies in preserving family legacy through love and compassion.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Aasai alaigalil aadum / Intha maanida vaazhvoru oodam

Human life ('maanida vaazhvu') is explicitly compared to a small boat ('oodam') drifting on the waves of desire ('aasai alaigal').

Simile (Uvamai)

Seedhaiyai polae vaazhnthu nee kaattu….

Uses 'polae' (like) to compare living with endurance and moral purity to the epic character Sita.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Thalaivaa neeyo thani maram indru

Compares a lonely leader separated from family to a solitary tree ('thani maram').

Alliteration / Monai

Paasamum anbum naesamum kondu

Repetition of initial consonant sound 'P' across the line ('Paasamum', 'anbum', 'naesamum').

Did you know?

Trivia

'Kula Gouravam' (1974) stars Jayashankar and Jayanthi. The song features poignant lyricism by Vaali, capturing deep philosophical reflections on family dignity, fate, and moral resilience.

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