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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Iranthavanai Sumanthavanum

From Iravum Pagalum · 1965

Lyricist
Aalangudi Somu
Singer
S. A. Ashokan
Music director
T. R. Pappa
Details
Iravum Pagalum1965

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Irandhavana somadhavanum iranthittaanThe one who carried the dead person has also died.
Adhai iruppavanum enni paarkka maranthittaanThe living person forgot to reflect upon this truth.
Irandhavana somadhavanum iranthittaanThe one who carried the dead person has also died.
Adhai iruppavanum enni paarkka maranthittaanThe living person forgot to reflect upon this truth.
Male
Paranthu paranthu panam thaediFlying far and wide in pursuit of wealth,
Paaba kulathil neeradiBathing in the pool of sin,
Paranthu paranthu panam thaediFlying far and wide in pursuit of wealth,
Paaba kulathil neeradiBathing in the pool of sin,
Pirandhu vandha naal mudhalaai per aasaiyudan uravaadiBefriending extreme greed right from the day of birth,
Irandhavana appadi irandhavana somadhavanum iranthittaanJust like that, the one who carried the dead person has also died.
Adhai iruppavanum enni paarkka maranthittaanThe living person forgot to reflect upon this truth.
Male
Thaayarin vedhanaiyil pirakkuraanA human is born through the pain of a mother,
Manushan thannaalae thudithudichu irakkuraanAnd dies all by himself, squirming in agony.
Thaayarin vedhanaiyil pirakkuraanA human is born through the pain of a mother,
Manushan thannaalae thudithudichu irakkuraanAnd dies all by himself, squirming in agony.
Idaiyil ooyaadha kavalaiyilae midhakkiraanIn between, he floats endlessly in unceasing worries,
Idaiyil ooyaadha kavalaiyilae midhakkiraanIn between, he floats endlessly in unceasing worries,
Oru naal udalai mattum pottu engoo parakkuraanOne day, leaving only his physical body behind, he flies away somewhere.
Oru naal udalai mattum pottu engoo parakkuraanOne day, leaving only his physical body behind, he flies away somewhere.
Male
Appadi irandhavana somadhavanum iranthittaanJust like that, the one who carried the dead person has also died.
Adhai iruppavanum enni paarkka maranthittaanThe living person forgot to reflect upon this truth.
Male
Ilamaiyilae sila naal mudhumaiyilae sila naalA few days spend in youth, a few days in old age,
Ilamaiyilae sila naal mudhumaiyilae sila naalA few days spend in youth, a few days in old age,
Inbathilae sila naal thunbathilae sila naalA few days spent in joy, a few days in sorrow,
Annaiyum manaiviyum arumai pillaiyumThe mother, the wife, and the precious child,
Annaiyum manaiviyum arumai pillaiyumThe mother, the wife, and the precious child,
Kanneer sindhidavae kadasi vazhi oru naalAs they shed tears, comes the final journey one day.
Kadasi vazhi oru naalThe final journey comes one day.
Male
Appadi irandhavana somadhavanum iranthittaanJust like that, the one who carried the dead person has also died.
Adhai iruppavanum enni paarkka maranthittaanThe living person forgot to reflect upon this truth.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic philosophical song from the movie 'Iravum Pagalum' (1965) reflects on the impermanence of human life and the inevitable reality of death. It points out the profound hypocrisy and ignorance of humans who spend their entire lives chasing wealth, succumbing to greed, and committing sins, completely oblivious to the fact that everyone—even those who carry others to their graves—will eventually meet the same fate. From the painful entry into the world during childbirth to the lonely end of life, human existence is depicted as a transient passage filled with alternating moments of joy, sorrow, youth, and old age. Despite being surrounded by loved ones like mothers, wives, and children, every individual must embark on the final journey alone, leaving all worldly possessions behind.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)

Irandhavana somadhavanum iranthittaan

The second consonant 'ra' matches across lines 'Irandhavana' and 'Paranthu', maintaining traditional Tamil poetic rhythm.

Antithesis (Contrast)

Adhai iruppavanum enni paarkka maranthittaan

Contrasting 'Irandhavan' (the dead) with 'Iruppavan' (the living), and 'Inbathilae' (in joy) with 'Thunbathilae' (in sorrow) to emphasize human mortality and emotional duality.

Repetition / Alliteration (Anaphora)

Paranthu paranthu panam thaedi

Repetition of words like 'Paranthu paranthu' (flying) and 'sila naal' (a few days) to create cadence and emphasize transient phases of life.

Metaphor

Paaba kulathil neeradi

'Paaba kulathil neeradi' metaphorically compares engaging in sinful activities to bathing in a pool of sin.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Iravum Pagalum' (1965) marked the silver screen debut of the veteran Tamil actor Jaishankar. The song's lyrics by Aalangudi Somu are celebrated for their deep philosophical undertones regarding mortality, reminiscent of Pattinathar's classical Tamil poetry.

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