Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aasaigal Theinthathe

From Kallukkul Therai · 1981

Lyricist
Muthulingam
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Shyam
Details
Kallukkul Therai1981

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Aaa….aa….aha….haa…..aa…Aaa....aa....aha....haa.....aa...
Aaa….aahaa…..haa…..aa….aa…..aaa…Aaa....aahaa.....haa.....aa....aa.....aaa...
Aaa….aaa…..aa….aa…..Aaa....aaa.....aa....aa.....
Male
Aasaigal thaeinthathaeDesires have gradually eroded and faded away,
Poonjolaiyum mullaanathaeThe flowering garden has transformed into sharp thorns,
Nadhiyil oodamum saainthathaeThe boat navigating the river has tilted over,
Nanainthathae kangalae….My eyes have become soaked with tears...
Male
Aasaigal thaeinthathaeDesires have gradually eroded and faded away,
Poonjolaiyum mullaanathaeThe flowering garden has transformed into sharp thorns,
Nadhiyil oodamum saainthathaeThe boat navigating the river has tilted over,
Nanainthathae kangalae….ae….My eyes have become soaked with tears...
Male
Kaalam ennum vana vedan veesumTargeted by the wild hunter known as Time,
Ambai yaar thaanguvaarWho can withstand the arrow he shoots?
Kaalam ennum vana vedan veesumTargeted by the wild hunter known as Time,
Ambai yaar thaanguvaarWho can withstand the arrow he shoots?
Male
Pazhi yaavumae….ae….All the blame...
En meedhilae….ae….Rests upon me...
Vazhi illaiyae….ae….There is no way available...
Idhai maattravae….ae…To alter this fate...
Yaengum nenjai yaar thaettruvaarWho will give solace to this aching, yearning heart?
Male
Aasaigal thaeinthathaeDesires have gradually eroded and faded away,
Poonjolaiyum mullaanathaeThe flowering garden has transformed into sharp thorns,
Nadhiyil oodamum saainthathaeThe boat navigating the river has tilted over,
Nanainthathae kangalae….ae….My eyes have become soaked with tears...
Male
Veenai ondru mann maelaeA musical veena resting upon the dirt,
Veezhnthae soga pann paaduthaeHaving fallen down, plays a tragic tune of grief,
Veenai ondru mann maelaeA musical veena resting upon the dirt,
Veezhnthae soga pann paaduthaeHaving fallen down, plays a tragic tune of grief,
Male
En paadhaiyo…ooo….My destined path...
Vegu thooramae….ae….Is extremely far away...
En vaazhkkaiyo…ooo….While my remaining lifespan...
Sila kaalamae….ae….Is only for a brief moment...
Kaanal neeraai kadhaiyaanathaeMy whole life story has turned into an elusive mirage,
Male
Aasaigal thaeinthathaeDesires have gradually eroded and faded away,
Poonjolaiyum mullaanathaeThe flowering garden has transformed into sharp thorns,
Nadhiyil oodamum saainthathaeThe boat navigating the river has tilted over,
Nanainthathae kangalae….ae….My eyes have become soaked with tears...
Male
Aasaigal thaeinthathae….Desires have gradually eroded and faded away...
Aasaigal thaeinthathae….Desires have gradually eroded and faded away...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant song expresses profound grief, helplessness, and the cruel inevitability of fate. The speaker laments how life's once-vibrant promises and joyous moments have crumbled into suffering, metaphorically described as a flower garden turning into thorns and a river boat capsizing mid-journey. Personifying Time as a ruthless hunter whose arrows strike down human happiness, the protagonist feels burdened by blame and unable to alter the tragic course of life.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Kaalam ennum vana vedan veesum ambai yaar thaanguvaar

Time is metaphorically depicted as a wild hunter (vana vedan) firing arrows of destiny.

Imagery & Personification

Veenai ondru mann maelae veezhnthae soga pann paaduthae

A veena lying on the ground is given human emotion as it plays a tragic tune of grief, symbolizing ruined potential and broken spirit.

Simile / Metaphor

Kaanal neeraai kadhaiyaanathae

Life's journey turning into a mirage represents the illusionary nature of lost hope.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Kallukkul Therai' (1980) was directed by cinematographer P.S. Nivas and stars Vijayakanth. The lyrics by Muthulingam utilize vivid classical Tamil allegories of nature to depict tragedy and helplessness.

Keep listening

More from Kallukkul Therai