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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Idhuvum Iraivan Leelaiya

From Sengottai Singam · 1958

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Sengottai Singam1958

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Idhuvum iraivan leelaiyaaIs this also God's divine play?
Idhuvum iraivan leelaiyaaIs this also God's divine play?
Eliyorkku ulagil idamillaiyaaIs there no place in this world for the weak?
Idhuvum iraivan leelaiyaaIs this also God's divine play?
Eliyorkku ulagil idamillaiyaaIs there no place in this world for the weak?
Idhuvum iraivan leelaiyaaIs this also God's divine play?
Female
Enniyathondru nadanthathu ondruOne thing was planned, but another came to pass,
Enniyathondru nadanthathu ondruOne thing was planned, but another came to pass,
Ezhaiyin ullam vaaadudhae indruThe heart of the poor person suffers in pain today.
Idhuvum iraivan leelaiyaaIs this also God's divine play?
Eliyorkku ulagil idamillaiyaaIs there no place in this world for the weak?
Idhuvum iraivan leelaiyaaIs this also God's divine play?
Female
Kunjudanae oru thaai paravaiA mother bird along with her little chick,
Koodizhandhae yengum velaiyilaeAt a time when they long in despair after losing their nest,
Kunjudanae oru thaai paravaiA mother bird along with her little chick,
Koodizhandhae yengum velaiyilaeAt a time when they long in despair after losing their nest,
Vanjagamae puriyum vidhiyaalaeBecause of treacherous fate that acts deceitfully,
Vanjagamae puriyum vidhiyaalaeBecause of treacherous fate that acts deceitfully,
Varunthuthae siragum murindhadhanaalaeIt grieves as its wings lie broken.
Female
Idhuvum iraivan leelaiyaaIs this also God's divine play?
Eliyorkku ulagil idamillaiyaaIs there no place in this world for the weak?
Idhuvum iraivan leelaiyaaIs this also God's divine play?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant song expresses anguish and helpless grief over the harsh realities of life. The lyricist questions whether the suffering of the poor and weak is merely a game or divine play ('leelai') created by God. It laments how human intentions often collapse under fate, leaving the helpless without a place or comfort in the world. Using the metaphor of a mother bird and her chick losing their nest and suffering with broken wings due to cruel fate, the song highlights the despair of experiencing tragedy when one is least capable of enduring it.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Rhetorical Question

Idhuvum iraivan leelaiyaa

The speaker repeatedly questions divine play and justice ('leelaiyaa', 'idamillaiyaa') to highlight deep suffering and despair rather than seeking a literal answer.

Metaphor

Kunjudanae oru thaai paravai koodizhandhae yengum velaiyilae

The displaced and helpless human protagonist is metaphorically compared to a mother bird losing her nest and suffering with broken wings.

Anaaphora (Repetition)

Idhuvum iraivan leelaiyaa

The refrain 'Idhuvum iraivan leelaiyaa' is repeated to emphasize the central theme of questioning destiny.

Mónai (Initial Assonance / Alliteration)

Enniyathondru nadanthathu ondru / Ezhaiyin ullam vaaadudhae indru

Matching initial vowel sounds in 'Enniyathondru' and 'Ezhaiyin' creates rhythmic harmony in Tamil poetry.

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Trivia

Sengottai Singam (1958) is an action-adventure film starring M. G. Ramachandran and Saroja Devi. The music was composed by legendary music director K. V. Mahadevan. This track stands out as an evocative emotional melody rendered flawlessly by P. Susheela, written by A. Maruthakasi, reflecting his signature philosophical lyricism.

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