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Isaimozhi
Kumari album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Alaiyadum Poley

From Kumari · 1952

Lyricist
M. P. Sivan
Singer
P. Leela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Movie name
Kumari
Movie release year
1952
Lyrics added on
31 Dec 2025

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Alaiyaadum polae
Mana nilaiyaadalaanen
Alaiyaadum polae
Mana nilaiyaadalaanen
Anaadhai naan thaniye vaadalaanen
Alaiyaadum polae
Mana nilaiyaadalaanen
Analitta melugu pol
Uruguraene vaazhvilae
Analitta melugu pol
Uruguraene vaazhvilae
Kanindhu anbae kaatuvaarum kaanen
Alaiyaadum polae
Mana nilaiyaadalaanen
Ennaasai andrae maaindhadhe
Inbam thondri maraindhadhe
Innal yaeno iniyum paarile
Alaiyaadum polae
Mana nilaiyaadalaanen
Needhi pozhiyum naattil saanthi
Naermai muraiyum illaiyaa
Needhi pozhiyum naattil saanthi
Naermai muraiyum illaiyaa
Mayangum endhan thunbam theeraadha
Anbum naeraadha
Alaiyaadum polae
Mana nilaiyaadalaanen
Just like the restless waves,
My mind is tossed and wavering.
Just like the restless waves,
My mind is tossed and wavering.
Left all alone and helpless, I wither away.
Just like the restless waves,
My mind is tossed and wavering.
Like wax placed in the fire,
I melt away in this life.
Like wax placed in the fire,
I melt away in this life.
I see no one to show me tender love.
Just like the restless waves,
My mind is tossed and wavering.
My hopes died that very day,
Joy appeared, only to disappear.
Why is there still sorrow in this world?
Just like the restless waves,
My mind is tossed and wavering.
In a land showered with justice,
Is there no peace or fairness?
In a land showered with justice,
Is there no peace or fairness?
Will my overwhelming sorrow never end?
Will love never come my way?
Just like the restless waves,
My mind is tossed and wavering.
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This melancholic song portrays a woman suffering intense grief and isolation. Comparing her inner turmoil to tossing ocean waves and her fragile existence to wax melting near a flame, she laments her orphan-like solitude and lost joy. In her distress, she questions whether fairness, peace, and love truly exist in a world that promises justice yet leaves her utterly helpless.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Uvamai (Simile)

Alaiyaadum polae

Compares the turbulent mind to a swaying ocean wave (Alaiyaadum polae) and life's pain to wax melting over heat (Analitta melugu pol).

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Inbam thondri maraindhadhe / Innal yaeno iniyum paarile

Repetition of the second consonant sound 'n' in 'Inbam' and 'Innal' adds rhythmic resonance.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Needhi pozhiyum naattil saanthi / Naermai muraiyum illaiyaa

The 'N' sound alliteration in 'Needhi' and 'Naermai' emphasizes the moral questioning of the stanza.

Did you know?

Trivia

This early 1950s classical melody from 'Kumari' (1952) showcases K. V. Mahadevan's mastery in evoking deep emotional pathos, embellished by the soulful voice of veteran playback singer P. Leela.

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