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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Alaiyadum Poley

From Kumari · 1952

Lyricist
M. P. Sivan
Singer
P. Leela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Kumari1952

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Alaiyaadum polaeLike a swaying wave,
Mana nilaiyaadalaanenWhy has my mind become so restless?
Alaiyaadum polaeLike a swaying wave,
Mana nilaiyaadalaanenWhy has my mind become so restless?
Anaadhai naan thaniye vaadalaanenI have become an orphan, languishing all alone.
Alaiyaadum polaeLike a swaying wave,
Mana nilaiyaadalaanenWhy has my mind become so restless?
Female
Analitta melugu polLike wax placed upon a fire,
Uruguraene vaazhvilaeI am melting away in this life.
Analitta melugu polLike wax placed upon a fire,
Uruguraene vaazhvilaeI am melting away in this life.
Kanindhu anbae kaatuvaarum kaanenI see no one who shows me tender love.
Alaiyaadum polaeLike a swaying wave,
Mana nilaiyaadalaanenWhy has my mind become so restless?
Female
Ennaasai andrae maaindhadheMy desires died that very day,
Inbam thondri maraindhadheHappiness appeared only to fade away.
Innal yaeno iniyum paarileWhy does affliction still persist in this world?
Alaiyaadum polaeLike a swaying wave,
Mana nilaiyaadalaanenWhy has my mind become so restless?
Female
Needhi pozhiyum naattil saanthiIn a land where justice is said to pour down, is there no peace
Naermai muraiyum illaiyaaAnd no sense of honesty?
Needhi pozhiyum naattil saanthiIn a land where justice is said to pour down, is there no peace
Naermai muraiyum illaiyaaAnd no sense of honesty?
Mayangum endhan thunbam theeraadhaWill my swooning sorrow never come to an end?
Anbum naeraadhaWill love never reach me?
Alaiyaadum polaeLike a swaying wave,
Mana nilaiyaadalaanenWhy has my mind become so restless?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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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