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Kannukkul Nilavu album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Iravu Pagalai Theda

From Kannukkul Nilavu · 2000

Lyricist
Pazhani Bharathi
Singer
K. J. Yesudas
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Kannukkul Nilavu
Movie release year
2000
Lyrics added on
6 Nov 2017

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
{Iravu pagalai theda
Idhayam ondrai theda
Alaigal amaithi theda
Vizhigal vazhiyai theda} (2)
Sutrukindrathae thendral dhinam dhinam
Enthan manathai konjam sumakkumo
Vimmukindrathae vinnil natchathiram
Enthan kanavai solli azhaikkumo
Achacho achacho
Iravu pagalai theda
Idhayam ondrai theda
Alaigal amaithi theda
Vizhigal vazhiyai theda
Vaazhkai ennum payanam ingae
Dhooram dhooram
Engae maarum engae serum
Sollum kaalam
Thendral vanthu pookkal aadum
Athuvoru kaalam
Mannil sinthi pookal vaadum
Ilaiyuthir kaalam
Kolangal aadum vaasalgal vendum
Thaniyaaga azhagillaiyae
Kadalai seraa nadhiyai kandaal
Tharaiyil aadum meenai kandaal
Otrai kuyilin sogam kandaal
Achachchoo…ooo….
Iravu pagalai theda
Idhayam ondrai theda
Alaigal amaithi theda
Vizhigal vazhiyai theda
Veesum kaatru oivai thedi
Engae pogum
Pookal pesa vaai irunthal
Enna pesum
Maalai neram paravai kootam
Koottai thedum
Paravi ponaal paravai koodu
Yaarai thedum
Nadodi megam ododi ingae
Yaarodu uravaadumo
Annaiyillaa pillai kandaal
Pillailaa annai kandaal
Anbaeillaa ulagam kandaal
Achachchoo…ooo….
Iravu pagalai theda
Idhayam ondrai theda
Alaigal amaithi theda
Vizhigal vazhiyai theda
Sutrukindrathae thendral dhinam dhinam
Enthan manathai konjam sumakkumo
Vimmukindrathae vinnil natchathiram
Enthan kanavai solli azhaikkumo
Achachooo…oooo.. achacho
Iravu pagalai theda
Idhayam ondrai theda
Alaigal amaithi theda
Vizhigal vazhiyai theda
As the night searches for the day,
As the heart searches for someone,
As the waves search for peace,
As the eyes search for a path...
The gentle breeze wanders day after day,
Will it carry my heart for a while?
A star weeps up in the sky,
Will it call out, speaking of my dream?
Oh, the sorrow, oh the sorrow...
As the night searches for the day,
As the heart searches for someone,
As the waves search for peace,
As the eyes search for a path...
This journey called life
stretches far into the distance.
Where will it turn? Where will it reach?
Only time will tell.
The breeze arrives and flowers dance,
that is one season.
Flowers fall to the earth and wither,
that is the autumn season.
Doorsteps need decorative patterns to look alive,
there is no beauty in being alone.
Seeing a river that never reaches the sea,
Seeing a fish struggling on dry land,
Seeing the sadness of a lonely cuckoo,
Oh, what sorrow, what pain...
As the night searches for the day,
As the heart searches for someone,
As the waves search for peace,
As the eyes search for a path...
Seeking a place to rest,
where will the blowing wind go?
If flowers had the voice to speak,
what would they say?
In the evening, a flock of birds
searches for its nest.
If the bird is gone,
whom will the nest search for?
Rushing along, this wandering cloud,
who will it share a bond with?
Seeing a child without a mother,
Seeing a mother without a child,
Seeing a world without any love,
Oh, what sorrow, what pain...
As the night searches for the day,
As the heart searches for someone,
As the waves search for peace,
As the eyes search for a path...
The gentle breeze wanders day after day,
Will it carry my heart for a while?
A star weeps up in the sky,
Will it call out, speaking of my dream?
Oh, the sorrow, oh the sorrow...
As the night searches for the day,
As the heart searches for someone,
As the waves search for peace,
As the eyes search for a path...
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

'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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