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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aathirathil Thudupeduthai

From Uyira Manama · 1968

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Uyira Manama1968

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Aathirathil thudupeduthaaiYou took up the oar in anger,
Avasarathil padagu vittaaiYou launched the boat in haste.
Kaatrinilae sikki kondaalIf it gets caught in the storming wind,
Enna varum en uyireWhat will become of you, my beloved life?
Female
Aathirathil thudupeduthaaiYou took up the oar in anger,
Avasarathil padagu vittaaiYou launched the boat in haste.
Kaatrinilae sikki kondaalIf it gets caught in the storming wind,
Enna varum en uyireWhat will become of you, my beloved life?
Female
En kanner thaan angaeyumEven there, my tears alone
Kaaval varum en uyireWill stand guard to protect you, my life.
En kanner thaan angaeyumEven there, my tears alone
Kaaval varum en uyireWill stand guard to protect you, my life.
Female
Paathirathin niram polaeDoes the color of milk ever change
Paalin niram maaruvadhooBased on the color of the vessel?
Nethirathai maranthu vittuForgetting your own vision (guidance),
Nee engae vaaduvadhooWhere are you going to wither away?
Female
Kodaiyilae mara nizhalumA tree's shade in the harsh summer,
Kobathilae kaadhaliyumAnd a loving woman when you are in anger,
Aarudhalai tharavillaiyaelIf they do not provide you comfort,
Yaar tharuvaar ennuyiraeWho else will give it, my beloved life?
Female
Aathirathil thudupeduthaaiYou took up the oar in anger,
Avasarathil padagu vittaaiYou launched the boat in haste.
Kaatrinilae sikki kondaalIf it gets caught in the storming wind,
Enna varum en uyireWhat will become of you, my beloved life?
Female
Vilakinilae neruppu vaithaalIf you place fire within a lamp,
Veedellaam oliyirukkumThe entire home will be filled with light.
Manadhinilae neruppu vaithaalIf you harbor fire within your heart,
Vaithavarai erikaadhoWill it not burn the one who harbors it?
Female
Sathiyathai maranthu vittalIf one forgets truth and righteousness,
Thani vazhiyae poga varumOne will be forced to walk a lonely path.
Than vazhiyae ponaalumEven if one walks on their chosen path,
Thalai vidhi thaan kooda varumDestiny will surely follow along.
Female
Kattilennai niruthi vittuLeaving me behind at the threshold,
Kaadhavazhi selgindraaiYou travel along a distant path.
Kadhavazhi sendraalumEven if you walk through long distances,
Kadhal vazhi maravadhaeDo not ever forget the path of love.
Female
Unnidathil aasaiyilaeOut of deep affection for you,
Nalla vazhi naan uraithenI pointed out the righteous path.
Ennai nee maranthaalumEven if you forget me in time,
Sonna mozhi maravadhaeDo not forget the words I spoke.
Maravadhae maravadhaeDo not forget, do not forget.
Female
Aathirathil thudupeduthaaiYou took up the oar in anger,
Avasarathil padagu vittaaiYou launched the boat in haste.
Kaatrinilae sikki kondaalIf it gets caught in the storming wind,
Enna varum en uyireWhat will become of you, my beloved life?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic song from 'Uyira Manama' (1968) is a poignant plea filled with philosophical wisdom. Sung by P. Susheela for MSV's composition, the heroine counsels her beloved as he prepares to leave in intense anger and haste. She uses vivid analogies—a boat launched recklessly into a storm, milk taking the form of its vessel, and fire in a lamp versus fire in the mind—to explain how rashness and internal rage consume oneself rather than solving problems.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai / Aganilai Uvamai)

Aathirathil thudupeduthaai / Avasarathil padagu vittaai

Comparing a boat lost in a storming wind to a life destabilized by hasty anger.

Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Aathirathil thudupeduthaai / Kaatrinilae sikki kondaal

The second character 'th' matches across consecutive lines ('Aathirathil' / 'Kaatrinilae').

Contrast / Antithesis

Vilakinilae neruppu vaithaal... Manadhinilae neruppu vaithaal

Contrasting fire in a lamp (which brings light) with fire in the mind (which destroys the host).

Moonaai (First-letter Alliteration)

Sathiyathai maranthu vittal

Alliteration of the initial letter 'S' in 'Sathiyathai' and 'Sonna'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by Poet Laureate Kannadasan, this song is celebrated for its moral depth, exemplifying how Tamil film songs frequently integrated ancient ethical teachings (similar to Thirukkural couplets on anger and destiny) into tender romantic narratives.

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