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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
Movie name
Kula Gouravam
Movie release year
1974
Lyrics added on
9 Aug 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Aasai alaigalil aadum
Intha maanida vaazhvoru oodam
Aasai alaigalil aadum
Intha maanida vaazhvoru oodam
Adhu ooduvathum karai saeruvathum
Entha idam endru yaar solla koodum
Maaligai vaasa thanthaiyin paasam
Maranthathu unthan kalaigalin mogam
Maaligai vaasa thanthaiyin paasam
Maranthathu unthan kalaigalin mogam
Kadhalil yaavum izhanthavar pinbu
Kadhalil yaavum izhanthavar pinbu
Kadhalukkaaga varunthuvathundu….
Kadhalukkaaga varunthuvathundu….
Nadappathu yaavum iraivanai kettu
Nallathendraagum kaalaththin theerppu
Nadappathu yaavum iraivanai kettu
Nallathendraagum kaalaththin theerppu
Oor pazhiththaalum vanthathai yaetru
Oor pazhiththaalum vanthathai yaetru
Seedhaiyai polae vaazhnthu nee kaattu….
Seedhaiyai polae vaazhnthu nee kaattu….
Kulavazhi vantha gouravam paarththa
Thalaivaa neeyo thani maram indru
Kulavazhi vantha gouravam paarththa
Thalaivaa neeyo thani maram indru
Paasamum anbum naesamum kondu
Paasamum anbum naesamum kondu
Parambarai vaazha ninaippathu nandru
Parambarai vaazha ninaippathu nandru
Aasai alaigalil aadum
Intha maanida vaazhvoru oodam
Adhu ooduvathum karai saeruvathum
Entha idam endru yaar solla koodum
Tossing upon the waves of desire,
this human life is like a boat.
Tossing upon the waves of desire,
this human life is like a boat.
Where it drifts and where it reaches shore,
who can tell what place that will be?
Life in a palace and a father's love—
your passion for the arts made you forget them all.
Life in a palace and a father's love—
your passion for the arts made you forget them all.
Those who lose everything in love,
those who lose everything in love,
often end up grieving because of love...
often end up grieving because of love...
Everything happens by the will of God,
and time's judgment will turn out for the best.
Everything happens by the will of God,
and time's judgment will turn out for the best.
Even if the world blames you, accept what comes,
even if the world blames you, accept what comes,
and live with dignity like Sita to show them...
and live with dignity like Sita to show them...
O leader who cared only for family honor,
look at you today, standing all alone like a single tree.
O leader who cared only for family honor,
look at you today, standing all alone like a single tree.
With affection, love, and care in your heart,
with affection, love, and care in your heart,
it is good to wish for your family line to thrive.
it is good to wish for your family line to thrive.
Tossing upon the waves of desire,
this human life is like a boat.
Where it drifts and where it reaches shore,
who can tell what place that will be?
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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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