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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Iravin Madiyil

From Sarasa B.A. · 1965

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
P. B. Sreenivas
Music director
S. Vedhachalam
Details
Sarasa B.A.1965

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Iravin madiyil ulagam urangumThe world sleeps in the lap of the night
Nilavin azhagil malarum mayangumEven the flower swoons in the beauty of the moon
En mana vedhanai yaar arivaarWho will know the anguish of my heart?
Unmaiyai sonnaal yaar unarvaarIf I tell the truth, who will understand?
Unarvaar ..unarvaarWill understand... will understand...
Iravin madiyil ulagam urangumThe world sleeps in the lap of the night
Male
Pazhagiya ninaivai parithu kondaanaeHe snatched away familiar memories
Pudhiyadhor uravai koduthu nindraanaeHe presented a new relationship and stood by
Kalangidum ennai saatchi vaithaanaeHe made distraught me a mere witness
Kaatchiyil maraiyum en iraivanMy God who vanishes from sight
Iraivan …iraivanGod... God...
Male
Iravin madiyil ulagam urangumThe world sleeps in the lap of the night
Nilavin azhagil malarum mayangumEven the flower swoons in the beauty of the moon
Male
Ha ha ha haHa ha ha ha
Ho o o hoHo o o ho
Hmm mm mm mmHmm mm mm mm
Hmm mm mm mmHmm mm mm mm
Male
Ullae oruvan urangugindraanaeOne slumbers on the inside
Veliyil oruvan ulavigindraanaeOne wanders on the outside
Ellaam therindhum oomaiyai polaeDespite knowing everything, like a mute person
Irukkindraanae en thalaivanMy Lord remains silent
Thalaivan…thalaivanLord... Lord...
Male
Iravin madiyil ulagam urangumThe world sleeps in the lap of the night
Nilavin azhagil malarum mayangumEven the flower swoons in the beauty of the moon
Male
Ha ha ha haHa ha ha ha
Ho o o hoHo o o ho
Hmm mm mm mmHmm mm mm mm
Hmm mm mm mmHmm mm mm mm

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song expresses profound existential grief and inner conflict felt during the quiet stillness of the night. While nature and the world find peaceful rest under the moonlight, the protagonist suffers from deep mental anguish, feeling misunderstood by society and helpless against the twists of fate. Kannadasan's lyrics contrast the tranquil outer world with a turbulent inner world, questioning divine justice and the silence of God in the face of human suffering.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Personification

Iravin madiyil ulagam urangum / Nilavin azhagil malarum mayangum

Attributing human actions like sleeping in a lap to the world, and swooning to a flower.

Edhukai (Second letter rhyme)

Iravin / Nilavin

Rhyming of the second letter 'ra' in Iravin and 'la' (similar soft consonant class) in Nilavin.

Antithesis / Contrast

Ullae oruvan urangugindraanae / Veliyil oruvan ulavigindraanae

Contrasting the quiet sleeping inner self with the wandering outer persona.

Metaphor

Ellaam therindhum oomaiyai polae / Irukkindraanae en thalaivan

Comparing the silent divinity or destiny to a mute spectator.

Did you know?

Trivia

Sarasa B.A. (1965) features music composed by S. Vedhachalam with poignant rendition by P. B. Sreenivas. Kannadasan's philosophical lyrics reflect classic themes of solitude and spiritual questioning.

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