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Isaimozhi
Aasal album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Em Thandhai

From Aasal · 2010

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
Bharathwaj
Music director
Bharathwaj
Movie name
Aasal
Movie release year
2010
Lyrics added on
26 Mar 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Singam endraal
Em thanthaithaan
Chellam endraal
Em thanthaithaan
Kann thoonginaal
Thuyil neenginaal
Em thanthaaithaan
Em thanthaaithaan
Ellorukkum
Avar vinthaithaan
Vin meengal
Kadan ketkkum
Avar kannilae
Vel vanthu vilaiyaadum
Avar sollilae
Avar konda pugazh engal
Kulam thaangumae
Avar perai sonnaalae
Pagai neengumae
Azhiyaatha uyir konda
Em thanthaiyae
Azhiyaatha uyir konda
Em thanthaiyae
Aan vadivil
Nee endrum
Em annaiyae
Veeraththin magan endru
Vizhi sollumae
Vaezhaththin inam endru
Nadai sollumae
Nilaiyaana manithan ena
Per sollumae
Neethaanae asal endru
Oor sollumae
Un pola silar indru
Uruvaagalaam
Un udal konda asaivukku
Nigaraaguma
Eppothum thorkkaathu
Un saenaithaan
Irunthaalum iranthaalum
Nee yaanaithaan
Kandangal arasaalum
Kalaimoorththithaan
Kadal thaandi porul eettum
Un keerththithaan
Thalaimuraigal kazhinthaalum
Un pechchuthaan
Thanthai enum manthiramae
En moochchuthaan
Singam endraal
Em thanthaithaan
Chellam endraal
Em thanthaithaan
Kann thoonginaal
Thuyil neenginaal
Em thanthaaithaan
Em thanthaaithaan
Ellorukkum
Avar vinthaithaan
If you speak of a lion,
It is our father.
If you speak of tenderness,
It is our father.
When our eyes close in sleep,
When we wake up from sleep,
It is our father,
It is our father.
To everyone in this world,
He is truly a wonder.
The stars in the sky
Would ask to borrow light
From his eyes.
A sharp spear dances
In his spoken words.
The glory he earned
Will sustain our family line.
Just speaking his name
Will drive all enmity away.
Possessing an immortal spirit,
O our father!
Possessing an immortal spirit,
O our father!
In the form of a man,
You are forever
Our mother.
That you are the son of valor,
Your eyes declare.
That you are of the majestic elephant breed,
Your walk reveals.
That you are a steadfast man,
Your name tells all.
That you alone are the original,
The whole world proclaims.
A few like you, today,
May try to arise.
Yet to the power in your stride,
Can anyone ever compare?
It will never know defeat,
That army of yours.
Whether alive or gone,
You remain majestic as an elephant.
Ruling across continents,
You are an embodiment of grace.
Crossing the seas to build wealth,
Such is your renowned fame.
Even when generations pass,
It is only you they will speak of.
The sacred chant of "Father"
Is my very breath.
If you speak of a lion,
It is our father.
If you speak of tenderness,
It is our father.
When our eyes close in sleep,
When we wake up from sleep,
It is our father,
It is our father.
To everyone in this world,
He is truly a wonder.
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song is a grand ode dedicated to an idolized father figure, portraying him as the ultimate archetype of nobility, courage, and tenderness. Through powerful imagery, the father is compared to a lion for his fearlessness, an elephant for his majestic grace, and a mother for his unconditional love and nurture. His very presence wards off hostility, and his legacy serves as an unwavering pillar for the entire family.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)

“Singam endraal em thanthaithaan”

Directly compares the father to a lion to symbolize supreme courage and authority.

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navortchi)

“Vin meengal kadan ketkkum avar kannilae”

Exaggerates the brilliance of his eyes by claiming stars borrow light from them.

Proverbial Metaphor / Antimetabole

“Irunthaalum iranthaalum nee yaanaithaan”

References the famous Tamil proverb about an elephant's value remaining unchanged in life or death.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song highlights the overarching theme of authenticity ('Asal') and features Ajith Kumar in a dual role as father and son, with music composed by Bharadwaj.

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