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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Alai Adikkira Neram

From Meendum Mahaan · 1987

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
Malaysia Vasudevan
Music director
V. Kumar
Movie name
Meendum Mahaan
Movie release year
1987
Lyrics added on
8 Jun 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Alaiyadikkira neram….mmm
Alaiyadikkira neram aaththu manalum eeram
Eera tharaiyil rendu manasuga
Pottu mudichchathu kolam
Adha paarththu sirichchathu kaalam
Hoi hoiyyaa hoi hoiyyaa
Hoi hoiyyaa hoi hoiyyaa
Thanneeril kaattrodu asainthaadum odam
Dhesa maari ponaalum karai saera koodum
Thanneeril kaattrodu asainthaadum odam
Dhesa maari ponaalum karai saera koodum
Kanneeril poraadum ilang kadhal ullam
Kalanguthu mayanguthu yaarkitta sollum
Vaazhth thudikkira chinna vayasula
Vaatti vadhaikkuthu sogam
Nenja aatti padaikkuthu mogam….
Hoi hoiyyaa hoi hoiyyaa
Hoi hoiyyaa hoi hoiyyaa
Puyal veesi ennaalum anaiyaathu nilavu
Orupothum kidaiyaathau vidiyatha iravu
Puyal veesi ennaalum anaiyaathu nilavu
Orupothum kidaiyaathau vidiyatha iravu
Vidhi enna seithaalum vilakaathu uravu
Thavikkuthu thudikkuthu yaenintha manathu
Chinna paravaigal koodi kulavura
Velai piranthidum paaru
Anbai vetti pirichchavan yaaru
Hoi hoiyyaa hoi hoiyyaa
Hoi hoiyyaa hoi hoiyyaa
Alaiyadikkira neram….Aa…aa…
Aaththu manalum eeram….mm….
Alaiyadikkira neram….
Aaththu manalum eeram….mm….
Hoi hoiyyaa hoi hoiyyaa
Hoi hoiyyaa hoi hoiyyaa
Hoi hoiyyaa hoi hoiyyaa
Hoi hoiyyaa hoi hoiyyaa…
As the waves wash ashore... mmm
As the waves wash ashore, the river sand is wet
On that wet ground, two hearts
Drew a pattern of their dreams
And looking at it, time laughed cruelly
Hoi hoyya hoi hoyya
Hoi hoyya hoi hoyya..
A boat sways on the water with the wind
Even if it drifts off course, it can still reach the shore
A boat sways on the water with the wind
Even if it drifts off course, it can still reach the shore
A young heart in love, struggling through tears,
Is troubled and confused—to whom can it turn?
At a tender age longing to live,
Sorrow torments and pains it,
And deep desire stirs and shakes the heart...
Hoi hoyya hoi hoyya
Hoi hoyya hoi hoyya..
No matter how the storm blows, the moon never goes out
There is never a night that does not end in dawn
No matter how the storm blows, the moon never goes out
There is never a night that does not end in dawn
Whatever fate may do, this bond will never break
Why does this heart ache and suffer so?
For little birds to come together and cuddle,
Look, that time will surely come
Who was it that severed and tore this love apart?
Hoi hoyya hoi hoyya
Hoi hoyya hoi hoyya
As the waves wash ashore... ah... ah...
The river sand is wet... mmm...
As the waves wash ashore...
The river sand is wet... mmm...
Hoi hoyya hoi hoyya
Hoi hoyya hoi hoyya
Hoi hoyya hoi hoyya
Hoi hoyya hoi hoyya...
Male
Chorus
Male
Male
Chorus
Male
Male
Chorus
Male
Chorus

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

'Alaiyadikkira Neram' from the 1987 Tamil film 'Meendum Mahaan', penned by lyricist Vaali, is a reflective song about love, destiny, and emotional endurance. Using vivid natural imagery such as river sands, boats lost at sea, storms, and the moon, the song mirrors the inner heartbreak of lovers facing separation and cruelty from fate.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Thanneeril kaattrodu asainthaadum odam

Comparing a heart struggling through emotional turmoil to a boat swaying uncontrollably in wind and water.

Personification

Adha paarththu sirichchathu kaalam

Attributing human emotions and actions (laughing) to time ('Kaalam') as it watches human intentions.

Contrast / Antithesis

Puyal veesi ennaalum anaiyaathu nilavu / Orupothum kidaiyaathau vidiyatha iravu

Juxtaposing storm/extinguishment against the eternal moon, and dark night against unavoidable dawn to symbolize hope over suffering.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Meendum Mahaan' (1987) features lyrics written by Vaali, who frequently utilized folk-style rhythmic refrains like 'Hoi hoiyyaa' combined with natural metaphors to express deep emotional philosophy.

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