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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Alai Adikkira Neram

From Meendum Mahaan · 1987

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
Malaysia Vasudevan
Music director
V. Kumar
Details
Meendum Mahaan1987

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Alaiyadikkira neram….mmmThe time when waves crash.... mmm
Alaiyadikkira neram aaththu manalum eeramThe time when waves crash, the river sand is moist
Eera tharaiyil rendu manasugaOn the wet ground, two hearts
Pottu mudichchathu kolamFinished drawing a rangoli pattern together
Adha paarththu sirichchathu kaalamTime laughed upon seeing that
Chorus
Hoi hoiyyaa hoi hoiyyaaHoi hoiyyaa hoi hoiyyaa
Hoi hoiyyaa hoi hoiyyaaHoi hoiyyaa hoi hoiyyaa
Male
Thanneeril kaattrodu asainthaadum odamA boat swaying in the water along with the wind
Dhesa maari ponaalum karai saera koodumEven if it loses its course, it will eventually reach the shore
Thanneeril kaattrodu asainthaadum odamA boat swaying in the water along with the wind
Dhesa maari ponaalum karai saera koodumEven if it loses its course, it will eventually reach the shore
Male
Kanneeril poraadum ilang kadhal ullamA young loving heart struggling amidst tears
Kalanguthu mayanguthu yaarkitta sollumIt is confused and dazed, to whom can it express its distress?
Vaazhth thudikkira chinna vayasulaAt a young age eager to live life to the fullest
Vaatti vadhaikkuthu sogamSorrow tortures and torments continuously
Nenja aatti padaikkuthu mogam….Desire sways and rules over the heart....
Chorus
Hoi hoiyyaa hoi hoiyyaaHoi hoiyyaa hoi hoiyyaa
Hoi hoiyyaa hoi hoiyyaaHoi hoiyyaa hoi hoiyyaa
Male
Puyal veesi ennaalum anaiyaathu nilavuNo matter how fierce the storm blows, the moon will never be extinguished
Orupothum kidaiyaathau vidiyatha iravuThere is never a night that does not end in a dawn
Puyal veesi ennaalum anaiyaathu nilavuNo matter how fierce the storm blows, the moon will never be extinguished
Orupothum kidaiyaathau vidiyatha iravuThere is never a night that does not end in a dawn
Male
Vidhi enna seithaalum vilakaathu uravuWhatever fate does, this sacred bond will not detach
Thavikkuthu thudikkuthu yaenintha manathuWhy is this heart squirming and beating in pain?
Chinna paravaigal koodi kulavuraThe time when small birds gather together and play
Velai piranthidum paaruThat time will surely dawn, just wait and see
Anbai vetti pirichchavan yaaruWho is the one that cut and separated true love?
Chorus
Hoi hoiyyaa hoi hoiyyaaHoi hoiyyaa hoi hoiyyaa
Hoi hoiyyaa hoi hoiyyaaHoi hoiyyaa hoi hoiyyaa
Male
Alaiyadikkira neram….Aa…aa…The time when waves crash.... Aa...aa...
Aaththu manalum eeram….mm….The river sand is moist.... mm....
Alaiyadikkira neram….The time when waves crash....
Aaththu manalum eeram….mm….The river sand is moist.... mm....
Chorus
Hoi hoiyyaa hoi hoiyyaaHoi hoiyyaa hoi hoiyyaa
Hoi hoiyyaa hoi hoiyyaaHoi hoiyyaa hoi hoiyyaa
Hoi hoiyyaa hoi hoiyyaaHoi hoiyyaa hoi hoiyyaa
Hoi hoiyyaa hoi hoiyyaa…Hoi hoiyyaa hoi hoiyyaa…

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'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.

Keep listening

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