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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aasaiyil Pirappathu

From Thendral Veesum · 1962

Lyricist
Mayavanathan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Details
Thendral Veesum1962

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Aasaiyil pirappathu thunivuCourage is born out of desire
Andha thunivinil pirappathu thelivuClarity is born out of that courage
Thelivinil pirappathu arivuWisdom is born out of clarity
Andha arivinil amaivadhu vaazhvuLife is settled upon that wisdom
Female
Aasaiyil pirappathu thunivuCourage is born out of desire
Andha thunivinil pirappathu thelivuClarity is born out of that courage
Thelivinil pirappathu arivuWisdom is born out of clarity
Andha arivinil amaivadhu vaazhvuLife is settled upon that wisdom
Female
Aasaiyil pirappathu thunivuCourage is born out of desire
Female
Vidhaithavan manadhil vilavadhil aasaiIn the mind of the sower, desire lies in the harvest
Kaadhalan ninaivil kanniyin aasaiIn the thoughts of the lover, desire lies in his maiden
Vidhaithavan manadhil vilavadhil aasaiIn the mind of the sower, desire lies in the harvest
Kaadhalan ninaivil kanniyin aasaiIn the thoughts of the lover, desire lies in his maiden
Pavalan manadhil paadidum aasaiIn the mind of the poet, desire lies in singing
Pavalan manadhil paadidum aasaiIn the mind of the poet, desire lies in singing
Padaithavan manadhil nodikkoru aasaiIn the mind of the Creator, desire changes every second
Padaithavan manadhil nodikkoru aasaiIn the mind of the Creator, desire changes every second
Female
Aasaiyil pirappathu thunivuCourage is born out of desire
Andha thunivinil pirappathu thelivuClarity is born out of that courage
Thelivinil pirappathu arivuWisdom is born out of clarity
Andha arivinil amaivadhu vaazhvuLife is settled upon that wisdom
Female
Aasaiyil pirappathu thunivuCourage is born out of desire
Female
Ilamaiyil pudhumaigal padipadhil aasaiIn youth, desire is to learn and experience new novelties
Mudhumaiyil padippadhai ninaippadhil aasaiIn old age, desire is to recollect what was learned
Ilamaiyil pudhumaigal padipadhil aasaiIn youth, desire is to learn and experience new novelties
Mudhumaiyil padippadhai ninaippadhil aasaiIn old age, desire is to recollect what was learned
Varuvadhum povadhum kaalathin aasaiComing and going is the desire of Time
Varuvadhum povadhum kaalathin aasaiComing and going is the desire of Time
Thirumana vayadhil dhinam oru aasaiAt the age of marriage, there is a new desire every day
Thirumana vayadhil dhinam oru aasaiAt the age of marriage, there is a new desire every day
Female
Aasaiyil pirappathu thunivuCourage is born out of desire
Andha thunivinil pirappathu thelivuClarity is born out of that courage
Thelivinil pirappathu arivuWisdom is born out of clarity
Andha arivinil amaivadhu vaazhvuLife is settled upon that wisdom
Female
Aasaiyil pirappathu thunivuCourage is born out of desire

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This philosophical and poetic song explores the fundamental role of desire ('aasai') in driving human progress and existential growth. It presents a cascading logic: desire gives birth to courage, courage leads to clarity, clarity yields wisdom, and wisdom ultimately forms a meaningful life. The lyrics go on to detail how desire manifests across different roles and life stages—from a farmer anticipating a harvest, a lover longing for his maiden, a poet yearning to create, to the Creator who continually desires new creations. In human life, youth seeks novelty while old age seeks reflection. Ultimately, desire is depicted not as a weakness, but as the primordial spark that propels nature, time, and human existence forward.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Anadiplosis (Chain Rhyme / Antandai)

Aasaiyil pirappathu thunivu / Andha thunivinil pirappathu thelivu / Thelivinil pirappathu arivu

The end of one line becomes the beginning concept of the next line (Aasai -> Thunivu -> Thelivu -> Arivu -> Vaazhvu), creating a logical chain of causation.

Epanaphora / Anaphora

Vidhaithavan manadhil vilavadhil aasai / Kaadhalan ninaivil kanniyin aasai

Repetition of 'aasai' at the end of consecutive lines to emphasize the pervasive nature of desire in every mind and stage of life.

Antithesis (Contrast)

Ilamaiyil pudhumaigal padipadhil aasai / Mudhumaiyil padippadhai ninaippadhil aasai

Contrasting youth ('Ilamai') with old age ('Mudhumai') to illustrate how the nature of desire transforms over the human lifespan.

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Trivia

'Aasaiyil Pirappathu Thunivu' from the film 'Thendral Veesum' (1962) is renowned for its profound philosophical depth composed by Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy and written by lyricist Mayavanathan. P. Susheela's timeless rendition beautifully balances cinematic melody with rich philosophical discourse.

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