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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Aazh Kadalil

From Raagam Thedum Pallavi · 1982

Lyricist
T. Rajendar
Singers
S. Janaki, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
T. Rajendar
Details
Raagam Thedum Pallavi1982

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Aazh kadalil thaththaliththuStruggling in the deep sea
Naan edutha muthu ondraiA single pearl that I retrieved
Vidhiyavan parithadhu yaen yaenWhy did fate snatch it away, why?
Urchavaththu silai idhanOf this festive idol
Poochcharamum udhirndhadhuThe garland of flowers has fallen
Poojaiyadhum kalaindhadhu yaen yaenWhy has the worship been disrupted, why?
Male
Aazh kadalil thaththaliththuStruggling in the deep sea
Naan edutha muthu ondraiA single pearl that I retrieved
Vidhiyavan parithadhu yaen yaenWhy did fate snatch it away, why?
Urchavaththu silai idhanOf this festive idol
Poochcharamum udhirndhadhuThe garland of flowers has fallen
Poojaiyadhum kalaindhadhu yaen yaenWhy has the worship been disrupted, why?
Male
Kaadhal mozhiyai pozhindhavalShe who showered words of love
Kaanal neeraai maraindhavalShe who disappeared like a mirage
Saavu vandhidinum saerndhu irandhiduvomEven if death comes, we will die together
Andru sonnavalai indru kaanavillai adhu yaenShe who said that back then cannot be seen today, why?
Aval vaarthai tholaindhadhaenWhy are her words lost?
En vaazhkkai kulaindhadhaenWhy is my life shattered?
Male
Aazh kadalil thaththaliththuStruggling in the deep sea
Naan edutha muthu ondraiA single pearl that I retrieved
Vidhiyavan parithadhu yaen yaenWhy did fate snatch it away, why?
Urchavaththu silai idhanOf this festive idol
Poochcharamum udhirndhadhuThe garland of flowers has fallen
Poojaiyadhum kalaindhadhu yaen yaenWhy has the worship been disrupted, why?
Chorus
La la la la la la la la laLa la la la la la la la la
Male
Aa…aa…aa…aa…Aa…aa…aa…aa…
Chorus
La la la la la la la la laLa la la la la la la la la
Male
Aa….aa….aa….aa…Aa….aa….aa….aa…
Female
Maarghazhi maadha kolamittaalShe drew rangoli patterns in the month of Marghazhi
Thanneer kudam thooki vandhaalShe came carrying a pot of water
Male
Karai pol kaathirundhaenI waited like a riverbank
Nadhiyai edhir paarthirundhaenI was expecting the river
Kadhai maaridavae karai vaeru kandaalAs the story changed, she found a different shore
Kaala alaigaludan pudhu nadhiyai kondaal adhu yaenShe joined a new river along with the waves of time, why?
En manadhil paalaivanamaanaenIn my heart, I became a desert
Mani vizhiyil soga kadalaanaenIn my precious eyes, I became an ocean of sorrow
Male
Aazh kadalil thaththaliththuStruggling in the deep sea
Naan edutha muthu ondraiA single pearl that I retrieved
Vidhiyavan parithadhu yaen yaenWhy did fate snatch it away, why?
Urchavaththu silai idhanOf this festive idol
Poochcharamum udhirndhadhuThe garland of flowers has fallen
Poojaiyadhum kalaindhadhu yaen yaenWhy has the worship been disrupted, why?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant song expresses the deep anguish and devastation of lost love caused by cruel destiny. The protagonist compares his love to a precious pearl retrieved from the depths of the ocean after immense struggle, only for fate to snatch it away. He equates his ruined relationship to a sacred temple ritual left incomplete with fallen flower garlands.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Aazh kadalil thaththaliththu / Naan edutha muthu ondrai

Comparing the precious beloved/love to a pearl ('muthu') fetched from a deep sea after intense struggle.

Simile

Karai pol kaathirundhaen

Comparing his patient expectation to a riverbank ('karai pol') waiting for the river to meet it.

Ethirai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Kaadhal mozhiyai pozhindhaval / Kaanal neeraai maraindhaval

The second consonant sound matches across lines, typical of Tamil prosody and T. Rajendar's lyrical style.

Antithesis / Contrast

En manadhil paalaivanamaanaen / Mani vizhiyil soga kadalaanaen

Contrasts the extreme dryness of a desert in the heart with the overwhelming wetness of an ocean of sorrow in the eyes.

Did you know?

Trivia

Raagam Thedum Pallavi (1982) was written, directed, and composed by T. Rajendar himself. Known for his unique trademark style of alliterative and rhyming Tamil lyrics, T. Rajendar extensively used metaphors drawn from nature, temples, and natural elements throughout the soundtrack.

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