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IsaimozhiLyrics · Translation · Meaning

Lyrics & meaning

Aayiram Piraikal Kaanum

From Thookku Medai · 1982

Lyricist: Karunanithi
Singer: Vani Jairam
Music director: Shankar Ganesh
Movie name: Thookku Medai
Movie release year: 1982
Lyrics added on: 18 Feb 2023

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics

↻ English translation

Aayiram piraigal kaanum varai

Alaikadal osai adangum varai

Thamizhae unakkaaga nee thaniya enakkaaga

Kaaththiruppaen naan kaaththiruppaen….

Aayiram piraigal kaanum varai

Alaikadal osai adangum varai

Thamizhae unakkaaga nee thaniya enakkaaga

Kaaththiruppaen naan kaaththiruppaen….

Kathiravan oorvalam nirkkum varai

Kani valam ulagil vattrum varai

Kathiravan oorvalam nirkkum varai

Kani valam ulagil vattrum varai

Pothigai thendral thoongum varai

Ponni nathiyaal poikkum varai

Pothigai thendral thoongum varai

Ponni nathiyaal poikkum varai

Thamizhae unakkaaga nee thaniya enakkaaga…

Aayiram piraigal kaanum varai

Alaikadal osai adangum varai

Thamizhae unakkaaga nee thaniya enakkaaga

Kaaththiruppaen naan kaaththiruppaen….

Ilamai azhagu theyum varai

Mudhumai udalil paayum varai

Ilamai azhagu theyum varai

Mudhumai udalil paayum varai

Thamizhae unakkaaga nee thaniya enakkaaga…

Aayiram piraigal kaanum varai

Alaikadal osai adangum varai

Thamizhae unakkaaga nee thaniya enakkaaga

Kaaththiruppaen naan kaaththiruppaen….

Kaaththiruppaen naan kaaththiruppaen….

Until a thousand crescent moons pass by,

Until the sound of the ocean waves falls silent,

For you, oh Tamil—are you solely for me?

I will wait, I will keep waiting...

Until a thousand crescent moons pass by,

Until the sound of the ocean waves falls silent,

For you, oh Tamil—are you solely for me?

I will wait, I will keep waiting...

Until the sun's journey comes to a halt,

Until the earth's rich bounty runs dry,

Until the sun's journey comes to a halt,

Until the earth's rich bounty runs dry,

Until the breeze from the Podhigai hills goes to sleep,

Until the Ponni (Cauvery) river runs dry,

Until the breeze from the Podhigai hills goes to sleep,

Until the Ponni (Cauvery) river runs dry,

For you, oh Tamil—are you solely for me?...

Until a thousand crescent moons pass by,

Until the sound of the ocean waves falls silent,

For you, oh Tamil—are you solely for me?

I will wait, I will keep waiting...

Until the beauty of my youth fades away,

Until old age takes over my body,

Until the beauty of my youth fades away,

Until old age takes over my body,

For you, oh Tamil—are you solely for me?...

Until a thousand crescent moons pass by,

Until the sound of the ocean waves falls silent,

For you, oh Tamil—are you solely for me?

I will wait, I will keep waiting...

I will wait, I will keep waiting...

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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song from the film 'Thookku Medai' (1982) is a passionate love letter to the Tamil language, personifying Tamil as a beloved entity. Written by M. Karunanidhi, the song uses vivid cosmological and natural imagery to express an eternal commitment to Tamil. The speaker vows to wait for Tamil through extreme and impossible cosmic shifts, such as the sun stopping its motion, rivers running dry, and breezes falling asleep, as well as through the personal aging process from youth to old age.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Hyperbole (Uruvagim / Athiyokthi)

“Kathiravan oorvalam nirkkum varai”

Exaggerates devotion by stating that the speaker will wait until impossible cosmic phenomena occur, such as the sun stopping its path.

Personification

“Pothigai thendral thoongum varai”

Attributes human characteristics like sleeping to the breeze of the Pothigai hills and treats the Tamil language as a living partner.

Anaphora (Repetition)

“Kaaththiruppaen naan kaaththiruppaen….”

The phrase 'Kaaththiruppaen' is repeated at the end of verses to emphasize steadfast resolve and eternal devotion.

Cultural/Geographical Allusion

“Ponni nathiyaal poikkum varai”

Refers to Pothigai (the mountain associated with the origin of Tamil and Agastya) and Ponni (River Kaveri), highlighting key cultural symbols of the Tamil land.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Thookku Medai' was originally a famous political play written by M. Karunanidhi (former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu) in his early literary years before being adapted into a 1982 film. The lyrics reflect the Dravidian movement's deep reverence for the Tamil language, portraying it with intimate personal devotion.

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