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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ellam Irunthenna

From Macha Rekai · 1950

Lyricist
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
Singers
T. R. Mahalingam, S. Varalakshmi
Music director
C. R. Subbaraman
Details
Macha Rekai1950

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Ellam irunthenna igam adhil sugadhukkamaeWhat is the point of having everything when pleasure and sorrow in this world...
Idaividaamal soozhndhadhae...have continuously surrounded me?
Aadharavilla anadhaiyaaga annaiyaeWithout any support, like an orphan, my mother...
Pirindhaai yoo...you separated from me!
Aadharavilla anadhaiyaaga annaiyaeWithout any support, like an orphan, my mother...
Pirindhaai yoo amma...you separated from me, o mother!
Vaazhvinil inbam kaanenI see no happiness in life.
Suga vaazhvinil inbam kaanenI see no happiness in a pleasant life.
Thuyaraal melindhenaeI have grown weak with sorrow.
Paarinil amma unnaalaeOn this earth, o mother, because of you...
Vaazhvinil inbam kaanenI see no happiness in life.
Male
Alaikadal thurumbaaga aalaiyin karumbaagaLike a straw in a stormy sea, like sugarcane in a crushing mill...
Nilai kulainthonghi nindren…haaI stood completely shaken and shattered... haa.
Aaraaroo endrumae thaalatti valarthittaLulling me with lullabies always and raising me...
Annaiyae unai pirindhenO mother, I have been separated from you.
Male
Oozhvinaiyaalae andho manmelaeAlas, due to fate, upon this earth...
Unnaiyae izhandhenaeI have lost you!
Oozhvinaiyaalae andho manmelaeAlas, due to fate, upon this earth...
Unnaiyae izhandhenae oo ammaI have lost you, o mother!
Vaazhvinil inbam kaanenI see no happiness in life.
Suga vaazhvinil inbam kaanenI see no happiness in a pleasant life.
Thuyaraal melindhenaeI have grown weak with sorrow.
Paarinil amma unnaalaeOn this earth, o mother, because of you...
Vaazhvinil inbam kaanenI see no happiness in life.
Female
Devi bavani thayabariO Goddess Bhavani, merciful one...
Nin sevidhaan kelaadhoDo your ears not hear my plea?
Sirai salaiyae inba singaara solaiyaaiHas this prison house become a delightful, beautiful grove...
Jenma boomiyum aanadhoo...and turned into my birthplace?
Ini vaazhvinil thunbam thaanaeIs there only sorrow in life from now on?
Igamel adainthenaeI have endured it all in this world.
Veen pazhi naanae sumandhenI bore blameless false accusations upon myself.
Vedhanaiyaal melindhenI grew thin and frail from the agony.
Male
Saasvadhamilla saraasara meedhaeIn this impermanent universe of moving and unmoving beings...
Suzhandraal namakkenna...if it spins, what does it matter to us?
Vaazhvinil inbam naanaeI am the joy in life.
Suga vaazhvinil inbam naanaeI am the joy in a pleasant life.
Unaiyae maravenaeI will never forget you.
Female
Vaanamudhae vaa en raajaCome, heavenly nectar, come my king!
Vaazhvinil inbam kaanenI see no happiness in life.
Suga vaazhvinil inbam kaanenI see no happiness in a pleasant life.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This tragic composition from Macha Rekai (1950) captures profound grief, existential distress, and longing for maternal comfort. The singer laments being orphaned and ruined by fate, comparing their helpless plight to sugarcane crushed in a mill and a tiny straw tossed by ocean waves. Enduring false blame and imprisonment, the protagonist seeks solace from Goddess Bhavani while reflecting on the fleeting nature of worldly joy.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Upamai (Simile)

Alaikadal thurumbaaga aalaiyin karumbaaga

Compares the protagonist's helpless state to straw tossed in a stormy sea ('Alaikadal thurumbaaga') and sugarcane crushed in a mill ('aalaiyin karumbaaga').

Ethirninra Sol (Antithesis)

Sirai salaiyae inba singaara solaiyaai

Juxtaposes a harsh prison cell ('Sirai salaiyae') with a beautiful garden grove ('inba singaara solaiyaai') to emphasize psychological endurance and plight.

Anaphora (Repetition)

Vaazhvinil inbam kaanen

The phrase 'Vaazhvinil inbam kaanen' is repeated as a refrain throughout the song to reinforce the central theme of enduring sorrow.

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Trivia

Macha Rekai (1950) was produced by Citadel Film Corporation and featured music composed by C. R. Subbaraman, with lyrics written by Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass. The lead roles and vocals were performed by T. R. Mahalingam and S. Varalakshmi.

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