Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Iraivan Irandu

From Uyarnthavargal · 1977

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
Vani Jairam, K. J. Yesudas
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Uyarnthavargal1977

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Iraivan irandu bommaigalGod created two dolls
Seithaan thaan vilaiyaada avaiFor Himself to play with; and those
Irandum searnthathoru bommaiyaiTwo joined together to create another doll
Seithana thaam vilaiyaadaFor themselves to play with.
Male
Iraivan irandu bommaigalGod created two dolls
Seithaan thaan vilaiyaada avaiFor Himself to play with; and those
Irandum searnthathoru bommaiyaiTwo joined together to create another doll
Seithana thaam vilaiyaadaFor themselves to play with.
Male
Un vaaimozhi mullaiYour spoken words are as sweet as jasmine,
Enil thaai mozhi illaiYet I possess no mother tongue.
Un vaaimozhi mullaiYour spoken words are as sweet as jasmine,
Enil thaai mozhi illaiYet I possess no mother tongue.
Male
Iraivan irandu bommaigalGod created two dolls
Seithaan thaan vilaiyaada avaiFor Himself to play with; and those
Irandum searnthathoru bommaiyaiTwo joined together to create another doll
Seithana thaam vilaiyaadaFor themselves to play with.
Male
Veyyil enna minnal ennaWhat is sunshine, what is lightning?
Venmai enna manjal ennaWhat is pure white, what is yellow?
Kaanaatha kangal rendilTo these two unseeing eyes,
Ellaamum ondradaaEverything is just the same, my dear.
Male
Thendral kaattrum oomai kaattruThe gentle breeze is a silent breeze,
Devan paattum oomai paattuThe song of the Lord is a silent song.
Avan thaanae nammai seithaanHe Himself made us who we are,
Thunbangal yaenadaaSo why must there be sorrows, my dear?
Male
Un vaaimozhi mullaiYour spoken words are as sweet as jasmine,
Enil thaai mozhi illaiYet I possess no mother tongue.
Un vaaimozhi mullaiYour spoken words are as sweet as jasmine,
Enil thaai mozhi illaiYet I possess no mother tongue.
Male
Iraivan irandu bommaigalGod created two dolls
Seithaan thaan vilaiyaada avaiFor Himself to play with; and those
Irandum searnthathoru bommaiyaiTwo joined together to create another doll
Seithana thaam vilaiyaadaFor themselves to play with.
Female
Ungalukkaaga naane solvaenI shall speak on your behalf,
Ungalukkaaga naane ketpaenI shall listen on your behalf.
Deivangal kallaai ponaalEven if the gods turn to stone,
Poosaari illaiyaaIs there no priest to offer prayers?
Female
Thanthai pechu thaaikku puriyumThe mother understands the father's unspoken words,
Thaaththaa nenjil ulgam theriyumIn grandfather's heart, the whole world is visible.
Thanthai pechu thaaikku puriyumThe mother understands the father's unspoken words,
Thaaththaa nenjil ulgam theriyumIn grandfather's heart, the whole world is visible.
Ullaththil nallorthaanaeAre not those who are pure at heart
Uyarnthavar illaiyaaThe truly noble people?
Female
Un vaaimozhi mullaiYour spoken words are as sweet as jasmine,
Enil thaai mozhi illaiYet I possess no mother tongue.
Un vaaimozhi mullaiYour spoken words are as sweet as jasmine,
Enil thaai mozhi illaiYet I possess no mother tongue.
Female
Iraivan irandu bommaigalGod created two dolls
Seithaan thaan vilaiyaada avaiFor Himself to play with; and those
Irandum searnthathoru bommaiyaiTwo joined together to create another doll
Seithana thaam vilaiyaadaFor themselves to play with.
Male
Malarumpothae vaasam theriyuthuThe fragrance is felt as the flower blooms,
Valarumpothae paasam puriyuthuLove is understood as a child grows.
Thaai thanthai seitha poojaiThe prayers offered by the parents
VeenaagavillaiyeHave not gone in vain.
Male
Kanthan andeu manthiram sonnaanLord Murugan taught the mantra back then,
Kannan andru geethai sonnaanLord Krishna spoke the Gita back then.
Magan sonna vedham kettuHearing the wisdom spoken by the son,
Marainthathu thollaiyaeAll hardships faded away.
Male
Un vaaimozhi mullaiYour spoken words are as sweet as jasmine,
Enil thaai mozhi illaiYet I possess no mother tongue.
Un vaaimozhi mullaiYour spoken words are as sweet as jasmine,
Enil thaai mozhi illaiYet I possess no mother tongue.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant song revolves around human life, divine design, and familial love amidst physical limitations. The lyrics compare human beings to dolls crafted by God for His divine play, who in turn create children to continue the cycle of life. It reflects on the inner purity and noble character of speech-impaired or visually challenged individuals, emphasizing that true nobility comes from goodness of heart rather than physical perfection. The song underlines how deep emotional understanding within a loving family transcends spoken language, bringing divine blessings and peace.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)

Iraivan irandu bommaigal

Compares human beings to dolls ('bommaigal') created by God for play, representing life's existential design.

Simile / Comparison (Uwamai)

Un vaaimozhi mullai

Compares spoken words ('vaaimozhi') to jasmine flowers ('mullai') symbolizing softness and fragrance.

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Veyyil enna minnal enna / Venmai enna manjal enna

The second letters of 'Veyyil' and 'Venmai' share the same sound pattern, creating acoustic harmony.

Monai (Alliteration)

Malarumpothae vaasam theriyuthu / Valarumpothae paasam puriyuthu

Repetition of the initial letter 'M' in 'Malarumpothae' and 'Valarumpothae' (or internal rhythm with 'vaasam'/'paasam').

Allusion (Purana Kurippeedhu)

Kanthan andeu manthiram sonnaan / Kannan andru geethai sonnaan

Refers to Hindu mythology where Son Murugan taught Shiva the Pranava Mantra and Krishna gave the Bhagavad Gita.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Uyarnthavargal' (1977), starring Kamal Haasan and Sujatha, is a Tamil remake of the acclaimed 1972 Hindi film 'Koshish', originally directed by Gulzar. The story prominently features deaf-mute characters, and Kannadasan's evocative lyrics beautifully capture the silent emotional language of the protagonists.

Keep listening

More from Uyarnthavargal