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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aathoram Manal Eduthu Sad

From Vazhkai Vazhvatharke · 1964

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
P. Susheela, P. B. Sreenivas
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Details
Vazhkai Vazhvatharke1964

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Aathoram manal eduthuGathering sand from the riverbank
Azhagazhagai veedu kattiBuilding a beautiful house
Thottamittu chedi valarthuPlanting a garden and nurturing plants
Jooraaga kudi irundhomWe lived together happily
Female
Aathoram manal eduthuGathering sand from the riverbank
Azhagazhagai veedu kattiBuilding a beautiful house
Thottamittu chedi valarthuPlanting a garden and nurturing plants
Jooraaga kudi irundhomWe lived together happily
Male
Kudi irundha manal veeduThe sand house where we resided
Mazhaiyinilae karaindhadhammaDissolved away in the rain
Kondu vandha aasai ellamAll the desires brought along
Vandha vazhi sendrathammaWent back the way they came
Aval irundha manadhinilaeIn the heart where she once lived
Irul irundhu vattudhammaDarkness resides and torments now
Female
Sangathilae thamizh vaangiObtaining pure Tamil from the ancient Sangam
Thangathilae ezhudhi veithenI inscribed it on sheets of gold
Gangaiyilae padagu vittuSailing a boat upon the Ganges river
Kaadhalilae midhandhu vandhenI floated along immersed in love
Paadhaiyilae pirithu vittuSeparating paths along the journey
Padagu mattum sendrathammaOnly the empty boat sailed away
Male
Pathu viral modhiramaamRings for all ten fingers
Pavazha mani maalaigalaamGarlands made of coral beads
Ethanaiyo kanavugalaamCountless lingering dreams
Evvalavoo aasaigalaamBoundless tender desires
Athanaiyum maraindhadhammaAll of them vanished away
Aasai nilaa erindhadhammaThe glowing moon of desire has burned out
Female
Kalyanam oorvalamaamGrand wedding processions
Katcheri virundhugalaamConcerts and lavish feasts
Oor muzhudhum thirunaalaamFestivities across the entire town
Ulagam engum mananaalaamWedding celebrations all over the world
Ulagathilae naangu kangalIn this world, four weeping eyes
Urangaamal vizhikuthammaaRemain awake without any sleep

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant song expresses deep heartbreak, grief, and the destruction of cherished dreams following separation. Through evocative metaphors, the lyrics depict how a couple's lovingly built relationship crumbled like a fragile sandcastle washed away by heavy rains. The lofty aspirations of a joyful future, symbolized by golden inscriptions and gentle boat rides on the Ganges, dissolve into loneliness and sorrow.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Kudi irundha manal veedu / Mazhaiyinilae karaindhadhamma

Comparing the fragility of their relationship and happiness to a house made of river sand that easily dissolves in rain.

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Sangathilae thamizh vaangi / Thangathilae ezhudhi veithen

The second consonant 'nga' matches between 'Sangathilae' and 'Thangathilae', creating rhythm and musicality.

Imagery & Contrast

Aasai nilaa erindhadhamma

Juxtaposes the cool, serene moon with burning distress to emphasize intense passion turning into destructive sorrow.

Synecdoche

Ulagathilae naangu kangal / Urangaamal vizhikuthammaa

Using 'naangu kangal' (four eyes) to represent the two heartbroken lovers weeping and staying awake in pain.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by the legendary duo Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy with lyrics by Kannadasan, this song stands out for its use of everyday rural allegories (like building sandcastles by a river) to capture deep existential and romantic tragedy.

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