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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Indha Mandrathil Odi Varum Sad

From Policekaran Magal · 1962

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
P. B. Sreenivas, S. Janaki
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Details
Policekaran Magal1962

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Indha mandrathil odi varumI ask the gentle breeze that comes running through this hall,
Ilam thendralai ketkindrenI ask the young southern breeze,
Indha mandrathil odi varumI ask the gentle breeze that comes running through this hall,
Ilam thendralai ketkindrenI ask the young southern breeze,
Nee sendridum vazhiyinilaeOn the path where you travel,
En dheivathai kanbaayo ho oooWill you see my beloved deity?
Female
Indha mandrathil odi varumI ask the gentle breeze that comes running through this hall,
Ilam thendralai ketkindrenI ask the young southern breeze,
Female
Vanna malargalil sarugaanaalAmong colorful flowers, she became a dry leaf,
Ival analidai mezhugaanaalShe melted like wax placed inside a fire,
Indru alai kadal thurumbaanaalToday she became a piece of straw in a wavy sea,
Endru oru mozhi kooraayo …ooo..oooWon't you say these words to him?
Male
Indha mandrathil odi varumI ask the gentle breeze that comes running through this hall,
Ilam thendralai ketkindrenI ask the young southern breeze,
En kanmani thavikkindraalMy precious darling is suffering in anguish,
Aval kavalaiyai theeraayoo..oo..ooWon't you relieve her sorrow?
Male
Indha mandrathil odi varumI ask the gentle breeze that comes running through this hall,
Ilam thendralai ketkindrenI ask the young southern breeze,
Male
Aval uravinai marandhu vittaalShe forgot all her relationships,
Indha ulagathai veruthu vittaalShe grew to despise this world,
Dhinam kanavukku thunai ponaalEvery day she sought company only in her dreams,
Aval kavalaiyai theeraayoo oo… oo….Won't you relieve her sorrow?
Male
Indha mandrathil odi varumI ask the gentle breeze that comes running through this hall,
Ilam thendralai ketkindrenI ask the young southern breeze,
En kanmani thavikkindraalMy precious darling is suffering in anguish,
Aval kavalaiyai theeraayoo..oo..ooWon't you relieve her sorrow?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant song from 'Policekaran Magal' uses the classical Tamil literary tradition of 'Thendral Thoodhu' (sending the breeze as a messenger). The singer pleads with the gentle breeze passing through the hall to convey the distress of his beloved to her lover, asking if the breeze might spot him along its path. The lyrics vividly portray her emotional agony: she has withered like a dry leaf among vibrant flowers, melted like wax in a fire, and lost her way like a tiny piece of straw tossed in a stormy ocean. Severed from relationships and detached from the world, she finds refuge only in dreams, while the protagonist begs for her grief to be alleviated.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Personification / Messenger Metaphor (Thendral Thoodhu)

Indha mandrathil odi varum Ilam thendralai ketkindren

Addressing the breeze ('Ilam thendralai') directly and asking it to carry a message to a loved one is a classic Tamil Sangam literary trope.

Simile and Metaphor (Upamai)

Vanna malargalil sarugaanaal / Ival analidai mezhugaanaal / Indru alai kadal thurumbaanaal

Comparing the heroine's state to a dry leaf ('sarugaanaal'), wax in fire ('analidai mezhugaanaal'), and straw in a wavy sea ('alai kadal thurumbaanaal') to illustrate deep grief.

End Rhyme (Iyaibu Todai)

Aval uravinai marandhu vittaal / Indha ulagathai veruthu vittaal

The lines end with identical poetic suffixes ('sarugaanaal', 'mezhugaanaal', 'thurumbaanaal', and 'marandhu vittaal', 'veruthu vittaal') to create rhythmic symmetry.

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Trivia

'Indha Mandrathil Odi Varum' is a classic hit composed by the legendary duo Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy with lyrics by Kannadasan. The concept of using the breeze as a messenger stems from ancient Tamil poetry ('Thendral Thoodhu'), seamlessly adapted into modern film lyricism by Kannadasan.

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