- Lyricist
- Vairamuthu
- Singer
- S. Janaki
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Movie name
- Neethaana Andha Kuyil
- Movie release year
- 1986
- Lyrics added on
- 4 Jun 2020
Lyrics & meaning
Beyond the translation
Overall song meaning
En Jeevan Paaduthu is a poignant lamentation of a lover searching for their missing partner and mourning a shattered future. The protagonist expresses how their very soul sings and roams in agonizing search, feeling lost as their path in life strays. They reflect on how a love that bloomed so beautifully turned out to be an illusory dream, collapsing tragically before wedded bliss could even begin. In their deep sorrow, they prepare for a reunion that never happens, left only with unanswered questions and silent grief as they follow their wandering spirit.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Personification
“En jeevan paaduthu... Unnaithan theduthu...”
Attributing the human capability of singing and searching to the soul or life force (Jeevan).
Simile (Uvamai)
“Ellaamae kanavupolae aanathae”
Comparing the reality of their relationship turning into a fleeting dream using the comparative word 'polae'.
Rhyme / Etukai
“Nenjathai thiranthu vaithen / Manjaththai virithu vaithen”
Second-letter rhyming between consecutive lines ('Nenjathai' and 'Manjaththai').
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Kannodu malarntha kaadhal”
Framing love as a flower that blossoms through the eyes.
Did you know?
Trivia
Neethaana Andha Kuyil (1986) features iconic music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by Vairamuthu. The song En Jeevan Paaduthu has two celebrated renditions in the film—one sung by S. Janaki and another by K. J. Yesudas, both widely praised for their emotional resonance and classical raaga structure.
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