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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Enakku Therinja Varaiyile

From Paartha Gnabagam Illayo · 1985

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
M. S. Vishwanathan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Paartha Gnabagam Illayo1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Enakku therinja varaiyilaeAs far as I know
Evanum sirichchu paarkkalaeNo one has ever truly smiled from the heart
Enakku therinja varaiyilaeAs far as I know
Evanum sirichchu paarkkalaNo one has ever truly smiled
Kannum eeramum nenjula paaramumMoist eyes and a heavy heart
Yaarukkilla ulagilaeWho does not have them in this world?
Adhu veliyilathaan theriyallaeIt just does not show on the outside
Veliyilathaan theriyallaeIt just does not show on the outside
Male
Kavalai illaatha manushangalendruPeople who live completely without any worries
Rendu perai naan kandupiduchchenI have discovered two such people
Aahaah kandu pidichchenAha, I have discovered them!
Rendu pera naan kandupidichchenI discovered two such people
Male
Antha rendu yaarunnuWho those two people are
Ippa ungalukellaam solla nenaichchenI thought of telling you all now
Ungalukellaam solla nenaichchenI thought of telling you all
Poranthadaathavan poe saernthavanThe one who is unborn and the one who has departed
Rendu perumthaan kavalaiyattravanOnly those two are truly free of worries
Male
Enakku therinja varaiyilaeAs far as I know
Evanum sirichchu paarkkalaeNo one has ever truly smiled
Kannum eeramum nenjula paaramumMoist eyes and a heavy heart
Yaarukkilla ulagilaeWho does not have them in this world?
Adhu veliyilathaan theriyallaeIt just does not show on the outside
Veliyilathaan theriyallaeIt just does not show on the outside
Male
Kettathu ellaam kaiyila kedachchaaIf everyone got whatever they asked for in their hands
Kadavulai yaaringu nenaichchiduvaanWho here would ever remember God?
Kettathu ellaam kaiyila kedachchaaIf everyone got whatever they asked for in their hands
Kadavulai yaaringu nenaichchiduvaanWho here would ever remember God?
Male
Kadal neerellam kudi neeraanaalIf all the sea water became drinking water
Kaaviriyai evan mathichchiduvaanWho would ever value the river Cauvery?
Ellaarkkum ellaamum kedachchathu illaNot everyone got everything they desired
Pottathu ellaam molachchathum illaNot every seed that was planted grew into a plant
Male
Kaachcha maraththil kallai erinjuThrow a stone at a tree laden with fruit
Kaai vizhuthaa paaraendaaAnd see if a fruit falls down, my friend!
Kaachcha maraththil kallai erinjuThrow a stone at a tree laden with fruit
Kaai vizhuthaa paaraendaaAnd see if a fruit falls down, my friend!
Male
Kaai vizhunthaalum kal vizhunthaalumWhether the fruit falls or the stone falls back down
Kavalai enna poyaendaaWhy worry about it? Just move on, my friend!
Vantha varaiyilae varavil vaiyadaaWhatever came your way so far, count it as income
Ponathaavumae selavil vaiyadaaWhatever was lost, record it as expense
Male
Enakku therinja varaiyilaeAs far as I know
Evanum sirichchu paarkkalaeNo one has ever truly smiled
Kannum eeramum nenjula paaramumMoist eyes and a heavy heart
Yaarukkilla ulagilaeWho does not have them in this world?
Adhu veliyilathaan theriyallaeIt just does not show on the outside
Veliyilathaan theriyallaeIt just does not show on the outside

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a deeply philosophical rendition on the universal human condition, pain, and resilience. The lyricist Vaali observes that almost every person carries hidden grief and tears, though they conceal it behind outward appearances. He humorously points out that only two types of people are truly free from worry: those who haven't been born yet, and those who are already dead. The lyrics urge listeners to maintain perspective during hardships, noting that unanswered prayers keep humanity grounded and spiritual, just as scarcity gives value to life-giving rivers. The song concludes with a practical, lighthearted piece of advice: treat life like an accounting ledger where unexpected gains are profit, losses are expenses, and one should keep moving forward regardless of the outcome.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Rhetorical Question

Yaarukkilla ulagilae

The speaker asks 'Who does not have them in this world?' to emphasize that grief and tears are universal experience, requiring no actual answer.

Ethugai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Kettathu ellaam kaiyila kedachchaa / Kadal neerellam kudi neeraanaal

In classic Tamil prosody, the second letter in both opening words shares a similar consonant sound ('t' and 'd'), creating rhythmic harmony.

Accounting Metaphor

Vantha varaiyilae varavil vaiyadaa / Ponathaavumae selavil vaiyadaa

Life's joys and sorrows are equated to financial bookkeeping entries of income ('varavu') and expenditure ('selavu').

Did you know?

Trivia

This track was composed and sung by legendary music director M. S. Viswanathan (MSV) with lyrics by Kavignar Vaali for the 1985 movie 'Paartha Gnabagam Illayo'. MSV was famous for delivering philosophical songs in his signature expressive voice, often delivering deep life lessons with a touch of colloquial humor.

Keep listening

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