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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Anbe Vidai

From Merry Christmas · 2015

Lyricist
Yugabharathi
Singer
Sreerama Chandra
Music director
Pritam Chakraborty
Details
Merry Christmas2015

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Edhu edhu theedhanadhoWhatever is evil or harmful
Adhai adhai theeyakkuvomLet us turn that into fire
Edhu edhu nam aasaiyoWhatever are our true desires
Adhai naam pesuvomLet us speak of them openly
Male
Edhu edhu vendadhadhoWhatever is unwanted or unnecessary
Adhai adhai thoolakkuvomLet us crush that into dust
Edhu edhu nam thevaiyoWhatever are our true needs
Adhai naam seruvomLet us gather and attain them
Male
Kadandha kaalamThe past that has gone by
Kanamale theeralamMay completely fade away unseen
Analume theerumoYet, even if it burns away, will it ever end,
Nam gnyabagam?Our memory?
Male
Irunda kaalamSo that dark times
Illamale neengidaVanish without a trace,
Boobalame podudheThe dawn song of Boobalam plays
Or nadagamA drama of rebirth
Male
Udai udai sogangalaiBreak, break away the sorrows
Adhai tharum anandhameThe act itself brings joy
Nadai perum ellamumeEverything that takes place
Nalamaai maarumeWill turn out for the good
Male
Alathiyana thedalilIn a deep and meticulous search
Agam puram aarayaveTo examine both the inner self and outer world
Vidatha vetkai neelutheAn relentless thirst keeps extending
Vizhamal yakkai yengutheThe body yearns without falling down
Male
Varathu pona yaavumaeEverything that failed to come to us
Varum vazhi nee kattidaAs you show the path for it to arrive
Kanaa en kannai modhudheDreams collide with my eyes
Vinakkal neengi pogutheAll lingering questions fade away
Male
Udai udai sogangalaiBreak, break away the sorrows
Adhai tharum anandhameThe act itself brings joy
Nadai perum ellamumeEverything that takes place
Nalamaai maarumeWill turn out for the good
Male
Idiyin osaiEven when hearing the roar of thunder
Kettalume vanavilThe rainbow
Anjamale thondridumAppears without any fear
Anbe vidaiLove is the ultimate answer
Male
Uliyin osaiWithout receiving the strikes of a chisel
Vangaamale or silaiCan a beautiful statue ever be created
Undagumo boomiyilUpon this earth?
Kanner thuliTears that fall,
Male
Yen yen endraeWithout asking
KelamalaeWhy, oh why?
Vazhvo ingeLife here
YengamaleWill go on without longing

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song is an uplifting, philosophical anthem about emotional catharsis, resilience, and personal transformation. It advocates for burning away past trauma, unwanted emotional baggage, and negativity, while embracing core needs, hope, and true love. The lyrics emphasize that pain and hardship are constructive steps toward self-discovery, comparing struggles to the chisel that carves a masterpiece or the rainbow that fearlessly shines right after thunderous rain.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Repetition / Anaphora (Adukku Thodar)

Edhu edhu theedhanadho

The doubling of words like 'Edhu edhu' (Whatever), 'Adhai adhai' (That very), 'Udai udai' (Break break), and 'Yen yen' (Why why) adds rhythmic emphasis and emotional intensity.

Second-Letter Rhyme (Etukai)

Udai udai sogangalai / Nadai perum ellamume

The matching second consonant pattern in Tamil poetry seen in 'Udai' (உடை) and 'Nadai' (நடை), creating a rhythmic chime across lines.

Metaphor & Natural Imagery

Idiyin osai kettalume vanavil anjamale thondridum

Thunder symbolizes chaos and trouble, while the rainbow symbolizes fearlessness, hope, and grace rising amidst adversity.

Analogy

Uliyin osai vangaamale or silai undagumo boomiyil

The physical suffering of a stone undergoing chisel strikes ('Uliyin osai') is used as an analogy for human suffering giving birth to beauty and strength.

Did you know?

Trivia

Featured in the Tamil version of Sriram Raghavan's thriller 'Merry Christmas' (starring Vijay Sethupathi and Katrina Kaif), this track features music composed by Hindi film veteran Pritam and lyrics penned by Yugabharathi, seamlessly translating the movie's complex, noir-influenced emotional core into Tamil.

Keep listening

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