Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Kattumarakaran album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Akkarai Illaa

From Kattumarakaran · 1995

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
Mano, Chorus
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Kattumarakaran
Movie release year
1995
Lyrics added on
14 Feb 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Akkarai illaa enga vaazhkkaiyilae
Akkarai konda kadal thaayammaa
Oru nithirai illaa enga velaiyila
Nambikkai thandha nizhal neeyammaa
Akkarai illaa enga vaazhkkaiyilae
Pozhudhaana neram
Pendu pillaiyaarum
Karai oram kai kaatta
Thoniyil yerum
Pozhappaedhu veru
Ponganumae soru
Puyal polae suzhal kaathu
Veesura podhu
Akkarai illaa enga vaazhkkaiyilae
Namakkaaga kaalam
Nalla vazhi kaattum
Mayangaadhae thayangaadhae
Ner vazhi ponaa
Thavaraadhu needhi
Sembalavan saadhi
Sariyaaga muraiyaaga
Unmaiyae pesum
Akkarai illaa enga vaazhkkaiyilae
Akkarai konda kadal thaayammaa
Oru nithirai illaa enga velaiyila
Nambikkai thandha nizhal neeyammaa
In our life with no other shore to reach,
You are the Mother Ocean who truly cares for us.
In our sleepless work out at sea,
You are the comforting shelter that gave us hope, O Mother.
In our life with no other shore to reach,
When the time comes to set out,
As our wives and children
Wave goodbye from the shore,
We board our boats.
What other living do we have?
The pot of rice at home has to boil,
Even when winds like a stormy whirlwind
Come blowing against us!
In our life with no other shore to reach,
In time, for our sake,
A good path will open up.
Do not lose heart, do not hesitate;
If we walk the honest path,
Justice will never fail us.
We, the fishermen folk,
With righteousness and fairness,
Will always speak the truth!
In our life with no other shore to reach,
You are the Mother Ocean who truly cares for us.
In our sleepless work out at sea,
You are the comforting shelter that gave us hope, O Mother.
Male
Male
Male
Male
Chorus
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song captures the tough yet resilient life of the seafaring community (fishermen). Relying entirely on the vast ocean for their livelihood, they view the sea not as a treacherous entity, but as a compassionate mother who sustains them through endless sleepless nights and perilous storms.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Slesai (Pun / Double Entendre)

“Akkarai illaa enga vaazhkkaiyilae / Akkarai konda kadal thaayammaa”

The word 'Akkarai' is used cleverely in two meanings: 'akkarai' meaning 'another shore' and 'akkarai' meaning 'care/concern'.

Metaphor / Personification

“Akkarai konda kadal thaayammaa”

The sea is personified as a loving, protective mother ('Kadal thaayammaa') who gives hope ('Nambikkai thandha nizhal').

Upamai (Simile)

“Puyal polae suzhal kaathu”

Comparing the swirling wind to a violent storm using the comparative marker 'polae'.

Iyaibu (Rhyme)

“Mayangaadhae thayangaadhae”

Matching end sounds in adjacent lines such as 'mayangaadhae' and 'thayangaadhae'.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Kattumarakaran' (1995) stars Prabhu and was directed by P. Vasu with music composed by Deva. Lyricist Vaali utilized traditional Tamil poetic wordplay on 'Akkarai' to vividly reflect the dual hardships and spiritual connection fishermen share with the sea.

Keep listening

Songs with a similar feeling

Kadalile Ezhugira1992
ChembaruthiLabourNature
Pozhaikkum Vazhiyai Paaru1955
Asai Anna Arumai ThambiLabourWork And Duty
Valaiyendhi Kollvom1980
Doorathu Idi MuzhakkamNatureResilience
The Life2026
BlastNatureLabour
Vilayaattaa Padagotty Female2012
DhoniResilienceNature
Vanga Kadal1992
MagudamResilienceRebellious

From the same album

More songs from Kattumarakaran

View album
Kathum Kadal1995
KattumarakaranRomantic
Kekkuthadi1995
KattumarakaranJoyful
Chinna Poove1995
KattumarakaranTender
Banana Banana1995
KattumarakaranCelebratory
Vetri Vetri1995
KattumarakaranCelebratory

Spot an issue?

Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.