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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Idhu Enna Vethanai

From Mayakkari · 1951

Lyricist
Kambadasan
Singer
R. Balasaraswathy
Music director
P. Aadhinarayana Rao
Details
Mayakkari1951

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Ye deviyae idhu enna vaedhanaiO Goddess, what pain and torment is this?
Evidhamae naan nambha vasamooHow is it possible for me to believe this?
Kanavai polum nishttaiyae idhuThis harsh reality feels like a dream,
Kanavai polum nishttaiyae idhuThis harsh reality feels like a dream,
Kadina sakthiyum kaalanaeEven the harsh power belongs to fate and death,
Kadina sakthiyum kaalanaeEven the harsh power belongs to fate and death,
Female
Annai thandhaiyae illam vaasalaiLeaving parents, home, and threshold behind,
Andha raatchasan thannidam koduthuGiving everything away to that demonic man,
Kaadhalae paramaartham endrenninenI believed love was the ultimate purpose of life,
Kaalamae pagaiyaanadhaeYet time itself turned into my enemy.
Kaadhalae paramaartham endrenninenI believed love was the ultimate purpose of life,
Kaalamae pagaiyaanadhae…aa aa …aa…Yet time itself turned into my enemy...
Female
Aasaikkellaam aasaiyaanaenI became the embodiment of all desires,
Aavi thanakkae aaviyaanaenI bonded my very soul to his,
Anbin roobamae en pradhabanaeO embodiment of love, my glorious beloved,
Kaalaalenai udhaithaekinaanHe kicked me away with his foot.
Anbin roobamae en pradhabanaeO embodiment of love, my glorious beloved,
Kaalaalenai udhaithaekinaanHe kicked me away with his foot.
Thalli poo ena yesinaanHe scolded me, commanding me to go away,
Thalli poo ena yesinaanHe scolded me, commanding me to go away.
Female
Evarukkagavoo aasaiFor whose sake should I hold onto desire?
Evarukkagavoo aasaiFor whose sake should I hold onto desire?
Evarukkaga naan uyir kolvenFor whose sake should I preserve my life?
Evarukkaga naan uyir kolvenFor whose sake should I preserve my life?
Female
Engu nokkilum sooniyamae androoWherever I look, isn't it an absolute void?
Innum edharkoo vaazhvadhaeWhy should I continue to live anymore?
Innum edharkoo vaazhvadhaeWhy should I continue to live anymore?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant song depicts the heartbreak and existential distress of a woman who surrendered everything—her family, home, and devotion—for the sake of her lover, believing love to be the highest truth. However, she faces ultimate betrayal as her beloved turns cruel and casts her away mercilessly. Overwhelmed by grief and rejection, she reflects on the irony of her fate and questions the value of her continued existence in a world that now feels completely empty.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Anaphora (Repetition for Emphasis)

Kanavai polum nishttaiyae idhu

The line 'Kanavai polum nishttaiyae idhu' is repeated sequentially to emphasize the disbelief and shock of the protagonist.

Moonaai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Kaadhalae paramaartham endrenninen / Kaalamae pagaiyaanadhae

Matching initial consonant sounds across adjacent phrases creating rhythmic harmony.

Rhetorical Question

Innum edharkoo vaazhvadhae

The protagonist poses unanswered despairing questions about the purpose of her life.

Metaphor

Kaalamae pagaiyaanadhae

Time/Fate is personified as an active adversary ('pagai') and killer ('kaalan').

Did you know?

Trivia

Mayakkari (1951) was produced simultaneously in Telugu as 'Mayalamari'. Legendary singer R. Balasaraswathy Devi delivered a heart-rending vocal performance for P. Aadhinarayana Rao's composition, portraying the tragic emotional arc written by lyricist Kambadasan.

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