Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Iranthavanai Sumanthavanum

From Iravum Pagalum · 1965

Lyricist
Aalangudi Somu
Singer
S. A. Ashokan
Music director
T. R. Pappa
Movie name
Iravum Pagalum
Movie release year
1965
Lyrics added on
13 Oct 2020

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Irandhavana somadhavanum iranthittaan
Adhai iruppavanum enni paarkka maranthittaan
Irandhavana somadhavanum iranthittaan
Adhai iruppavanum enni paarkka maranthittaan
Paranthu paranthu panam thaedi
Paaba kulathil neeradi
Paranthu paranthu panam thaedi
Paaba kulathil neeradi
Pirandhu vandha naal mudhalaai per aasaiyudan uravaadi
Irandhavana appadi irandhavana somadhavanum iranthittaan
Adhai iruppavanum enni paarkka maranthittaan
Thaayarin vedhanaiyil pirakkuraan
Manushan thannaalae thudithudichu irakkuraan
Thaayarin vedhanaiyil pirakkuraan
Manushan thannaalae thudithudichu irakkuraan
Idaiyil ooyaadha kavalaiyilae midhakkiraan
Idaiyil ooyaadha kavalaiyilae midhakkiraan
Oru naal udalai mattum pottu engoo parakkuraan
Oru naal udalai mattum pottu engoo parakkuraan
Appadi irandhavana somadhavanum iranthittaan
Adhai iruppavanum enni paarkka maranthittaan
Ilamaiyilae sila naal mudhumaiyilae sila naal
Ilamaiyilae sila naal mudhumaiyilae sila naal
Inbathilae sila naal thunbathilae sila naal
Annaiyum manaiviyum arumai pillaiyum
Annaiyum manaiviyum arumai pillaiyum
Kanneer sindhidavae kadasi vazhi oru naal
Kadasi vazhi oru naal
Appadi irandhavana somadhavanum iranthittaan
Adhai iruppavanum enni paarkka maranthittaan
The one who carried the dead has died too,
Yet the living forgot to even think about it.
The one who carried the dead has died too,
Yet the living forgot to even think about it.
Rushing all around chasing after wealth,
Bathing in a pool of sin,
Rushing all around chasing after wealth,
Bathing in a pool of sin,
Living with boundless greed from the day he was born,
Just like that, the one who carried the dead has died too,
Yet the living forgot to even think about it.
Born through his mother's pain,
Man struggles and dies all on his own.
Born through his mother's pain,
Man struggles and dies all on his own.
In between, he drifts in endless worries,
In between, he drifts in endless worries,
Until one day, leaving his body behind, he flies away.
Until one day, leaving his body behind, he flies away.
Just like that, the one who carried the dead has died too,
Yet the living forgot to even think about it.
A few days in youth, a few days in old age,
A few days in youth, a few days in old age,
A few days in joy, a few days in sorrow,
While his mother, wife, and beloved children
While his mother, wife, and beloved children
Shed their tears, he takes his final journey one day,
His final journey one day.
Just like that, the one who carried the dead has died too,
Yet the living forgot to even think about it.
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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.

Keep listening

Songs with a similar feeling

Thaayum Konja Kaalam2015
KangarooMortalityImpermanence
Jananam Oru Vazhi Maranam1974
ThirumangalyamMortalityFamily
Koodu Thedi1984
Naalai Unathu NaalMortalityImpermanence
Thala Keezha2002
GeminiMortalityImpermanence
Vazhvey Maayam1982
Vazhvey MaayamMortalityImpermanence
Paarthal Pasumaram1965
ThiruvilaiyadalMortalityImpermanence

From the same album

More songs from Iravum Pagalum

View album
Kunguma Kolam1965
Iravum PagalumPlayful
Koothadum Kondaiyile1965
Iravum Pagalum
Kaalai Neram Oruvan1965
Iravum PagalumPlayful
Ullathin Kathavugal1965
Iravum PagalumContemplative
Iravu Varum Pagalum Varum1965
Iravum PagalumContemplative

Spot an issue?

Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.