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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Badhil Ondru Tharavendum

From Oru Viral · 1965

Lyricist
Aalangudi Somu
Singers
P. Susheela, T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
S. Vedhachalam
Details
Oru Viral1965

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Badhil ondru thara vendum aaruyiraeYou must give me an answer, my dearest life.
Badhil ondru thara vendum aaruyiraeYou must give me an answer, my dearest life.
Un pudhu veetil kudi varava aaruyirae…ae…Shall I come to reside in your new home, my dearest life?
AaruyiraeMy dearest life.
Badhil ondru thara vendum aaruyiraeYou must give me an answer, my dearest life.
Female
Aalayathai thedi vandhen deivam illaiyaeI came searching for the temple, but there was no deity.
Arul maniyai asaithu vitten osaiyillaiyaeI rang the sacred grace-filled bell, but there was no sound.
Maalaiyida thaavi vandhen deepam illaiyaeI rushed forward to place a garland, but there was no lamp.
En malar vizhigal neerkolam podugindrathaeMy flower-like eyes are drawing patterns with tears.
Female
Badhil ondru thara vendum aaruyiraeYou must give me an answer, my dearest life.
Badhil ondru thara vendum aaruyiraeYou must give me an answer, my dearest life.
Female
Ninaivalaigal veesa vandhen ullam udaindhathuI came as waves of memories blew, but my heart shattered.
Nilavazhaithu pesa vandhen vaanam idindhathuI came to call the moon and talk, but the sky collapsed.
Nilamagalin adi vayitril veedum ezhundhathuA house has arisen deep in the womb of Mother Earth.
Adhil neeyum naanum kudirukka kaalam pirandhathuTime has been born for you and me to live together in it.
Female
Badhil ondru thara vendum aaruyiraeYou must give me an answer, my dearest life.
Badhil ondru thara vendum aaruyiraeYou must give me an answer, my dearest life.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant song expresses a grieving lover's sorrowful plea to a departed partner. Through vivid metaphors of an empty temple without a deity, a silent bell, and a collapsed sky, the singer conveys profound heartbreak and disorientation following the loved one's demise. The reference to a 'new home' in the 'womb of Mother Earth' serves as a poetic allusion to the grave or afterlife. Ultimately, the protagonist longs to join the beloved in that resting place, wishing for their souls to be reunited beyond the physical realm.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (உருவகம்)

En malar vizhigal neerkolam podugindrathae

Tears filling flower-like eyes are poetically described as drawing decorative water patterns (kolams).

Euphemism / Poetic Imagery (மறைபொருள்)

Nilamagalin adi vayitril veedum ezhundhathu

'A house deep in the womb of Mother Earth' metaphorically represents the grave, subtly hinting at death.

Second-letter Rhyme (எதுகை - Ethugai)

Ninaivalaigal veesa vandhen ullam udaindhathu

The second syllable 'la' repeats in consecutive lines ('Ninaivalaigal', 'Nilavazhaithu', 'Nilamagalin') establishing rhythmic harmony.

Hyperbole (உயர்வின் நவிற்சி அணி)

Nilavazhaithu pesa vandhen vaanam idindhathu

Exaggerating heartbreak by describing the collapse of the entire sky when trying to speak with the moon.

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Trivia

'Oru Viral' (1965) is historically significant in Tamil cinema as one of the earliest full-length horror thrillers ever produced in the industry. The film featured veteran actor M. R. Radha and was directed by C. M. V. Raman. Lyricist Aalangudi Somu was renowned for embedding deep philosophical and hauntingly emotional poetry into classic Tamil film songs.

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