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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ada Ethaiyo Nenachen

From Oorum Uravum · 1982

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
Sankar Ganesh
Details
Oorum Uravum1982

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Ada edhaiyo nenaichchaenHey, I thought of something
Edhukko sirichchaen sonnaa puriyaathuI laughed for some reason, you won't understand if I tell you
Ada engae sorkkam engae naragamHey, where is heaven and where is hell?
Evanukkum theriyaathuNo one really knows
Male
Ada edhaiyo nenaichchaenHey, I thought of something
Edhukko sirichchaen sonnaa puriyaathuI laughed for some reason, you won't understand if I tell you
Ada engae sorkkam engae naragamHey, where is heaven and where is hell?
Evanukkum theriyaathuNo one really knows
Male
Entha oorum uravaanaalIf any town becomes a loving relation,
Adhu sorkkam aagaathoDoesn't that become heaven?
Antha oorae pagaiyaanaalIf that very town becomes an enemy,
Adhu naragam aagaatho….Doesn't that become hell?
Male
Ada edhaiyo nenaichchaenHey, I thought of something
Edhukko sirichchaen sonnaa puriyaathuI laughed for some reason, you won't understand if I tell you
Ada engae sorkkam engae naragamHey, where is heaven and where is hell?
Evanukkum theriyaathuNo one really knows
Male
Purushan thedum sorkkamthaan kondaThe heaven that a husband searches for
Pondaatti podavaiyilaeIs in his wife's saree fold
Idhupol ennum varkkamthaanThere is a class of people who think like this
Ingu irukkuthu bhoomiyilaeExisting right here on earth
Male
Purushan thedum sorkkamthaan kondaThe heaven that a husband searches for
Pondaatti podavaiyilaeIs in his wife's saree fold
Idhupol ennum varkkamthaanThere is a class of people who think like this
Ingu irukkuthu bhoomiyilaeExisting right here on earth
Male
Padichchaalum puththi kettaanEven if educated, he lost his senses
Peththeduththa thaayai vittaanHe abandoned the mother who gave birth to him
Ivanellaam manushan illaHe is not a human being at all
Podaa muttaalae hae….aahaahGo away, you fool, hey... aha
Neeyellaam manushan illaYou are not a human being at all
Poppaa arivaaliGo away, mr. smarty-pants
Male
Ada edhaiyo nenaichchaenHey, I thought of something
Edhukko sirichchaen sonnaa puriyaathuI laughed for some reason, you won't understand if I tell you
Ada engae sorkkam engae naragamHey, where is heaven and where is hell?
Evanukkum theriyaathuNo one really knows
Male
Entha oorum uravaanaalIf any town becomes a loving relation,
Adhu sorkkam aagaathoDoesn't that become heaven?
Antha oorae pagaiyaanaalIf that very town becomes an enemy,
Adhu naragam aagaatho….Doesn't that become hell?
Male
: Vaaiyaa en maappillae vandiyilae yaerikkiCome on, my son-in-law, get into the vehicle
Un veettil irukkira sorkkaththa paaththukkaTake care of the heaven sitting in your house
Vaaiyaa en maappillae vandiyilae yaerikkiCome on, my son-in-law, get into the vehicle
Un veettil irukkira sorkkaththa paaththukkaTake care of the heaven sitting in your house
Male
Thangachchi thavikkiraa kanneera vadikkiraaMy younger sister is struggling, shedding tears
Thanneera pirinjittaa meenaattam thudikkiraaSeparated from water, she squirms like a fish
Ada makkaa intha maaman sonnaa kekkanumHey dummy, you must listen to what this uncle says
Iva mugaththa anbu manaththa neeyum paakkanumYou must look at her face and her loving heart
Male
Ooraar koodi valarththa maramThe tree raised by the townspeople together
En ullaththil velanja maramThe tree grown inside my heart
Oorai thaedi endru varumWhen will it return seeking the village?
Antha naalae sorkkam varumOnly that day will heaven arrive
Male
Ooraar koodi valarththa maramThe tree raised by the townspeople together
En ullaththil velanja maramThe tree grown inside my heart
Oorai thaedi endru varumWhen will it return seeking the village?
Antha naalae sorkkam varumOnly that day will heaven arrive
Male
Ada edhaiyo nenaichchaenHey, I thought of something
Edhukko sirichchaen sonnaa puriyaathuI laughed for some reason, you won't understand if I tell you
Yaarukkum sonnaa puriyaathuNo one will understand if told
Yaarukkum sonnaa puriyaathu…..No one will understand if told...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from 'Oorum Uravum' explores philosophical themes about human relationships, social morality, and the true meaning of heaven and hell. The speaker reflects on how heaven and hell are not distant otherworldly places, but states of living defined by love, unity, and moral rectitude in one's native town and family. A town that embraces a person with love creates heaven, whereas hostility transforms the same place into hell. The lyrics critique selfish individuals who forget their duty toward their mothers and family while chasing superficial happiness, reminding the listener that true heaven lies in compassion, fulfilling familial duties, and cherishing those who love you.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Thanneera pirinjittaa meenaattam thudikkiraa

Compares the sister's emotional distress when away from home/family to a fish squirming out of water ('Thanneera pirinjittaa meenaattam thudikkiraa').

Metaphor (Urvagam)

Ooraar koodi valarththa maram

Metaphorically describes human relationships and upbringing as a tree nurtured collectively by the village and inside the heart ('Ooraar koodi valarththa maram / En ullaththil velanja maram').

Antithesis (Muran)

Ada engae sorkkam engae naragam

Contrasts 'Sorkkam' (heaven) and 'Naragam' (hell), as well as 'Uravu' (kinship) and 'Pagai' (enmity) to highlight moral duality.

Rhyme (Edhukai / Monai)

Padichchaalum puththi kettaan / Peththeduththa thaayai vittaan

Uses initial and second-letter rhyming across lines such as 'Thangachchi' / 'Thanneera' and 'Padichchaalum' / 'Peththeduththa'.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Oorum Uravum' (1982) stars Sivaji Ganesan and K. R. Vijaya, focusing on village relationships and socio-familial ethics. Lyricist Vaali masterfully encapsulates rural wisdom through philosophical yet conversational folk-style Tamil.

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