Iravu Pagalai Theda
From Kannukkul Nilavu · 2000
- Lyricist
- Pazhani Bharathi
- Singer
- K. J. Yesudas
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Kannukkul Nilavu2000
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| {Iravu pagalai theda | As night searches for the day, |
| Idhayam ondrai theda | As a heart searches for another, |
| Alaigal amaithi theda | As waves search for tranquility, |
| Vizhigal vazhiyai theda} (2) | As eyes search for the path, |
| Male | |
| Sutrukindrathae thendral dhinam dhinam | The breeze wanders every single day, |
| Enthan manathai konjam sumakkumo | Will it carry a bit of my heart? |
| Vimmukindrathae vinnil natchathiram | The star in the sky is weeping softly, |
| Enthan kanavai solli azhaikkumo | Will it call out expressing my dream? |
| Achacho achacho | Oh dear, oh dear! |
| Male | |
| Iravu pagalai theda | Night searches for the day, |
| Idhayam ondrai theda | A heart searches for another, |
| Alaigal amaithi theda | Waves search for tranquility, |
| Vizhigal vazhiyai theda | Eyes search for the path. |
| Male | |
| Vaazhkai ennum payanam ingae | The journey called life here |
| Dhooram dhooram | Is distant, so distant. |
| Engae maarum engae serum | Where will it change, where will it reach? |
| Sollum kaalam | Time will tell. |
| Male | |
| Thendral vanthu pookkal aadum | When the breeze comes, flowers dance— |
| Athuvoru kaalam | That is one season. |
| Mannil sinthi pookal vaadum | Flowers fall on the ground and wither— |
| Ilaiyuthir kaalam | That is autumn season. |
| Male | |
| Kolangal aadum vaasalgal vendum | Courtyards need dancing Rangoli patterns, |
| Thaniyaaga azhagillaiyae | There is no beauty in being alone. |
| Kadalai seraa nadhiyai kandaal | If one sees a river that cannot reach the sea, |
| Tharaiyil aadum meenai kandaal | If one sees a fish thrashing on land, |
| Otrai kuyilin sogam kandaal | If one sees the sorrow of a solitary cuckoo, |
| Achachchoo…ooo…. | Oh dear... oh... |
| Male | |
| Iravu pagalai theda | Night searches for the day, |
| Idhayam ondrai theda | A heart searches for another, |
| Alaigal amaithi theda | Waves search for tranquility, |
| Vizhigal vazhiyai theda | Eyes search for the path. |
| Male | |
| Veesum kaatru oivai thedi | Searching for rest, where will the blowing wind go? |
| Engae pogum | Where will it go? |
| Pookal pesa vaai irunthal | If flowers had a mouth to speak, |
| Enna pesum | What would they say? |
| Male | |
| Maalai neram paravai kootam | In the evening time, flocks of birds |
| Koottai thedum | Search for their nest. |
| Paravi ponaal paravai koodu | If the bird flies away, whom will the bird's nest |
| Yaarai thedum | Search for? |
| Male | |
| Nadodi megam ododi ingae | The nomadic cloud running here, |
| Yaarodu uravaadumo | With whom will it forge a bond? |
| Annaiyillaa pillai kandaal | Seeing a child without a mother, |
| Pillailaa annai kandaal | Seeing a mother without a child, |
| Anbaeillaa ulagam kandaal | Seeing a world devoid of love, |
| Achachchoo…ooo…. | Oh dear... oh... |
| Male | |
| Iravu pagalai theda | Night searches for the day, |
| Idhayam ondrai theda | A heart searches for another, |
| Alaigal amaithi theda | Waves search for tranquility, |
| Vizhigal vazhiyai theda | Eyes search for the path. |
| Male | |
| Sutrukindrathae thendral dhinam dhinam | The breeze wanders every single day, |
| Enthan manathai konjam sumakkumo | Will it carry a bit of my heart? |
| Vimmukindrathae vinnil natchathiram | The star in the sky is weeping softly, |
| Enthan kanavai solli azhaikkumo | Will it call out expressing my dream? |
| Achachooo…oooo.. achacho | Oh dear... oh... oh dear, |
| Male | |
| Iravu pagalai theda | Night searches for the day, |
| Idhayam ondrai theda | A heart searches for another, |
| Alaigal amaithi theda | Waves search for tranquility, |
| Vizhigal vazhiyai theda | Eyes search for the path. |
{இரவு பகலை தேட
இதயம் ஒன்றைத் தேட
அலைகள் அமைதி தேட
விழிகள் வழியை தேட} (2)
As night searches for the day,
As a heart searches for another,
As waves search for tranquility,
As eyes search for the path,
சுற்றுகின்றதே தென்றல் தினம் தினம்
எந்தன் மனதைக் கொஞ்சம் சுமக்குமோ
விம்முகின்றதே விண்ணில் நட்சத்திரம்
எந்தன் கனவைச் சொல்லி அழைக்குமோ
அச்சச்சோ அச்சச்சோ…
The breeze wanders every single day,
Will it carry a bit of my heart?
The star in the sky is weeping softly,
Will it call out expressing my dream?
Oh dear, oh dear!
இரவு பகலை தேட
இதயம் ஒன்றைத் தேட
அலைகள் அமைதி தேட
விழிகள் வழியை தேட
Night searches for the day,
A heart searches for another,
Waves search for tranquility,
Eyes search for the path.
வாழ்க்கை என்னும் பயணம் இங்கே
தூரம் தூரம்
எங்கே மாறும் எங்கே சேரும்
சொல்லும் காலம்
The journey called life here
Is distant, so distant.
Where will it change, where will it reach?
Time will tell.
தென்றல் வந்து பூக்கள் ஆடும்
அதுவொரு காலம்
மண்ணில் சிந்தி பூக்கள் வாடும்
இலையுதிர் காலம்
When the breeze comes, flowers dance—
That is one season.
Flowers fall on the ground and wither—
That is autumn season.
கோலங்கள் ஆடும் வாசல்கள் வேண்டும்
தனியாக அழகில்லையே
கடலைச் சேரா நதியைக் கண்டால்
தரையில் ஆடும் மீனைக் கண்டால்
ஒற்றைக் குயிலின் சோகம் கண்டால்
அச்சச்சச்சோ…
Courtyards need dancing Rangoli patterns,
There is no beauty in being alone.
If one sees a river that cannot reach the sea,
If one sees a fish thrashing on land,
If one sees the sorrow of a solitary cuckoo,
Oh dear... oh...
இரவு பகலை தேட
இதயம் ஒன்றைத் தேட
அலைகள் அமைதி தேட
விழிகள் வழியை தேட
Night searches for the day,
A heart searches for another,
Waves search for tranquility,
Eyes search for the path.
வீசும் காற்று ஓய்வைத் தேடி
எங்கே போகும்
பூக்கள் பேச வாயிருந்தால்
என்ன பேசும்
Searching for rest, where will the blowing wind go?
Where will it go?
If flowers had a mouth to speak,
What would they say?
மாலை நேரம் பறவைக் கூட்டம்
கூட்டைத் தேடும்
பறவை போனால் பறவைக் கூடு
யாரைத் தேடும்
In the evening time, flocks of birds
Search for their nest.
If the bird flies away, whom will the bird's nest
Search for?
நாடோடி மேகம் ஓடோடி இங்கே
யரோடு உறவாடுமோ
அன்னையில்லா பிள்ளை கண்டால்
பிள்ளையில்லா அன்னை கண்டால்
அன்பேயில்லா உலகம் கண்டால்
அச்சச்சச்சோ…
The nomadic cloud running here,
With whom will it forge a bond?
Seeing a child without a mother,
Seeing a mother without a child,
Seeing a world devoid of love,
Oh dear... oh...
இரவு பகலை தேட
இதயம் ஒன்றைத் தேட
அலைகள் அமைதி தேட
விழிகள் வழியை தேட
Night searches for the day,
A heart searches for another,
Waves search for tranquility,
Eyes search for the path.
சுற்றுகின்றதே தென்றல் தினம் தினம்
எந்தன் மனதைக் கொஞ்சம் சுமக்குமோ
விம்முகின்றதே விண்ணில் நட்சத்திரம்
எந்தன் கனவைச் சொல்லி அழைக்குமோ
அச்சச்சோ அச்சச்சோ…
The breeze wanders every single day,
Will it carry a bit of my heart?
The star in the sky is weeping softly,
Will it call out expressing my dream?
Oh dear... oh... oh dear,
இரவு பகலை தேட
இதயம் ஒன்றைத் தேட
அலைகள் அமைதி தேட
விழிகள் வழியை தேட
Night searches for the day,
A heart searches for another,
Waves search for tranquility,
Eyes search for the path.
{Iravu pagalai theda
As night searches for the day,
Idhayam ondrai theda
As a heart searches for another,
Alaigal amaithi theda
As waves search for tranquility,
Vizhigal vazhiyai theda} (2)
As eyes search for the path,
Sutrukindrathae thendral dhinam dhinam
The breeze wanders every single day,
Enthan manathai konjam sumakkumo
Will it carry a bit of my heart?
Vimmukindrathae vinnil natchathiram
The star in the sky is weeping softly,
Enthan kanavai solli azhaikkumo
Will it call out expressing my dream?
Achacho achacho
Oh dear, oh dear!
Iravu pagalai theda
Night searches for the day,
Idhayam ondrai theda
A heart searches for another,
Alaigal amaithi theda
Waves search for tranquility,
Vizhigal vazhiyai theda
Eyes search for the path.
Vaazhkai ennum payanam ingae
The journey called life here
Dhooram dhooram
Is distant, so distant.
Engae maarum engae serum
Where will it change, where will it reach?
Sollum kaalam
Time will tell.
Thendral vanthu pookkal aadum
When the breeze comes, flowers dance—
Athuvoru kaalam
That is one season.
Mannil sinthi pookal vaadum
Flowers fall on the ground and wither—
Ilaiyuthir kaalam
That is autumn season.
Kolangal aadum vaasalgal vendum
Courtyards need dancing Rangoli patterns,
Thaniyaaga azhagillaiyae
There is no beauty in being alone.
Kadalai seraa nadhiyai kandaal
If one sees a river that cannot reach the sea,
Tharaiyil aadum meenai kandaal
If one sees a fish thrashing on land,
Otrai kuyilin sogam kandaal
If one sees the sorrow of a solitary cuckoo,
Achachchoo…ooo….
Oh dear... oh...
Iravu pagalai theda
Night searches for the day,
Idhayam ondrai theda
A heart searches for another,
Alaigal amaithi theda
Waves search for tranquility,
Vizhigal vazhiyai theda
Eyes search for the path.
Veesum kaatru oivai thedi
Searching for rest, where will the blowing wind go?
Engae pogum
Where will it go?
Pookal pesa vaai irunthal
If flowers had a mouth to speak,
Enna pesum
What would they say?
Maalai neram paravai kootam
In the evening time, flocks of birds
Koottai thedum
Search for their nest.
Paravi ponaal paravai koodu
If the bird flies away, whom will the bird's nest
Yaarai thedum
Search for?
Nadodi megam ododi ingae
The nomadic cloud running here,
Yaarodu uravaadumo
With whom will it forge a bond?
Annaiyillaa pillai kandaal
Seeing a child without a mother,
Pillailaa annai kandaal
Seeing a mother without a child,
Anbaeillaa ulagam kandaal
Seeing a world devoid of love,
Achachchoo…ooo….
Oh dear... oh...
Iravu pagalai theda
Night searches for the day,
Idhayam ondrai theda
A heart searches for another,
Alaigal amaithi theda
Waves search for tranquility,
Vizhigal vazhiyai theda
Eyes search for the path.
Sutrukindrathae thendral dhinam dhinam
The breeze wanders every single day,
Enthan manathai konjam sumakkumo
Will it carry a bit of my heart?
Vimmukindrathae vinnil natchathiram
The star in the sky is weeping softly,
Enthan kanavai solli azhaikkumo
Will it call out expressing my dream?
Achachooo…oooo.. achacho
Oh dear... oh... oh dear,
Iravu pagalai theda
Night searches for the day,
Idhayam ondrai theda
A heart searches for another,
Alaigal amaithi theda
Waves search for tranquility,
Vizhigal vazhiyai theda
Eyes search for the path.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
'Iravu Pagalai Theda' is a deeply philosophical and melancholic track from the film 'Kannukkul Nilavu'. The song explores themes of existential yearning, solitude, and the constant human search for love, connection, and inner peace. By drawing rich parallels with nature—a river unable to reach the ocean, a fish thrashing outside water, a bird's nest left empty, and weeping stars—lyricist Pazhani Bharathi articulates the pain of isolation. The lyricist highlights that life is an uncertain journey where joy and sorrow alternate like changing seasons. Through poignant imagery of motherless children and loveless worlds, the song evokes a profound sense of empathy, emphasizing that true emotional fulfillment can only exist when beings are connected rather than alone.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Personification
“Vimmukindrathae vinnil natchathiram”
Inanimate elements of nature like stars ('Vimmukindrathae vinnil natchathiram') and breeze ('Enthan manathai konjam sumakkumo') are given human emotions such as crying and carrying emotional burdens.
Metaphor (Uruvagam)
“Vaazhkai ennum payanam ingae”
Life is explicitly compared to a long journey ('Vaazhkai ennum payanam').
Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)
“Iravu pagalai theda / Idhayam ondrai theda”
The song uses initial letter rhyming across opening lines ('Iravu', 'Idhayam', 'Alaigal', 'Vizhigal') to create rhythmic symmetry.
Anaphora
“Kadalai seraa nadhiyai kandaal / Tharaiyil aadum meenai kandaal / Otrai kuyilin sogam kandaal”
Repetition of the phrase 'kandaal' at the end of consecutive lines to build emotional intensity.
Did you know?
Trivia
'Kannukkul Nilavu' (2000) was directed by Fazil and featured music composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja. The male version of 'Iravu Pagalai Theda' was sung soulfully by K.J. Yesudas, and the track is renowned for its poignant composition that reflects the psychological vulnerability of the lead character played by Vijay.
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