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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Indrum Illai

From Lava Kusa · 1963

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
Ghantasala
Details
Lava Kusa1963

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Indrum illai ndrum illaiNeither today, nor on another day,
Endrumae illaiNever at any time,
Ingum angum vidhiyai vendroorHere or anywhere else, those who have conquered fate,
Evarumae illaiNo one exists.
Male
Kannai imaiye azhikka thunindhaalIf the eyelid itself dares to destroy the eye,
Kaappavar verundoIs there anyone else to protect it?
Mannan ondrai aanaiyittaleIf the king issues a royal decree,
Marupavarum undooIs there anyone who can defy it?
Male
Indrum illai ndrum illaiNeither today, nor on another day,
Endrumae illaiNever at any time,
Ingum angum vidhiyai vendroorHere or anywhere else, those who have conquered fate,
Evarumae illaiNo one exists.
Male
Kodumai thannai eduthu sellumAre there no virtuous people to remove this cruelty?
Gunamullorgal illaiyaaAre there no good-hearted people left?
Adakkam anbu panbullorkku endrumFor those who possess humility, love, and virtue, is it always
Theeradha thollaiyaaAn endless suffering?
Male
Kannum karuthum ulla evaruumCan anyone with eyes and empathy
Idhayam sagikka mudiyumaTolerate this in their heart?
Vinnil ulla ravi kulathorWhy are the ancestors of the Sun Dynasty in heaven
Irupapadhaeno maounamaaiRemaining so silent?
Male
Indrum illai ndrum illaiNeither today, nor on another day,
Endrumae illaiNever at any time,
Ingum angum vidhiyai vendroorHere or anywhere else, those who have conquered fate,
Evarumae illaiNo one exists.
Male
Pizhaigal yedhum seidhidaamalWithout committing any wrong,
Pazhiyai adaivadhum seridhaanoIs it right to bear unjust blame?
Azhagin deivam vanathukkaegiIs it proper that the goddess of beauty goes to the forest
Allal paduvathum muraithaanoAnd suffers immense distress?
Male
Indrum illai ndrum illaiNeither today, nor on another day,
Endrumae illaiNever at any time,
Ingum angum vidhiyai vendroorHere or anywhere else, those who have conquered fate,
Evarumae illaiNo one exists.
Male
analil moozhgi ezhundha sadhimelUpon the chaste woman who emerged unscathed after stepping into fire,
Aiyam kondathum thaghumooIs it fitting to harbor doubt?
Oru arpaniin vaakkai makkalin theerppaaiTaking the slanderous words of a lowly man as the verdict of the public,
Eduthu kolvadhum aramooIs that considered righteousness?
Male
Indrum illai ndrum illaiNeither today, nor on another day,
Endrumae illaiNever at any time,
Ingum angum vidhiyai vendroorHere or anywhere else, those who have conquered fate,
Evarumae illaiNo one exists.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant song from the mythological epic film Lava Kusa (1963) expresses deep sorrow and moral questioning regarding Sita's banishment to the forest. The lyrics lament the absolute power of fate, which no human can overcome, and highlight the tragedy of an innocent and chaste queen being exiled due to public slander and kingly duty.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Kannai imaiye azhikka thunindhaal

Compares Rama, the ruler and protector, to an eyelid that is meant to guard the eye, pointing out the irony if the guard itself brings harm.

Rhetorical Question

analil moozhgi ezhundha sadhimel Aiyam kondathum thaghumoo

Uses unanswered questions to emphasize moral outrage regarding Sita's exile despite passing the trial by fire (Agni Pariksha).

Edukai (Tamil Second-letter Rhyme)

Indrum illai ndrum illai / Ingum angum vidhiyai vendroor

Rhyming scheme where the second letter of consecutive lines matches (e.g., 'Indrum' and 'Ingum').

Did you know?

Trivia

Lava Kusa (1963) was a landmark musical blockbuster produced simultaneously in Telugu and Tamil. Composed by legendary musician Ghantasala, the Tamil soundtrack was penned by iconic lyricist A. Maruthakasi and sung powerfully by T. M. Soundararajan.

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