Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Kanneer Pookkal album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Iravum Pagalum Oruvan

From Kanneer Pookkal · 1981

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Movie name
Kanneer Pookkal
Movie release year
1981
Lyrics added on
13 Mar 2022

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Iravum pagalum oruvan ninaivai
Paadum paravai idhu
Thanimai siraiyil nedunaal varaiyil
Paavam vaadiyathu
Varusham pudhiya varusham
Nalla vaazhvai naadiyathu
Varusham pudhiya varusham
Nalla vaazhvai naadiyathu
Iravum pagalum oruvan ninaivai
Paadum paravai idhu
Thanimai siraiyil nedunaal varaiyil
Paavam vaadiyathu
Piravigal thorum uravugal vaazhga
Irumanam endrum nalangalai soozhga
Piravigal thorum uravugal vaazhga
Irumanam endrum nalangalai soozhga
Nadu iravil pudhu varudam varumpozhuthu
Sugam pirakka dheivam arulga
Iravum pagalum oruvan ninaivai
Paadum paravai idhu
Thanimai siraiyil nedunaal varaiyil
Paavam vaadiyathu
Varusham pudhiya varusham
Nalla vaazhvai naadiyathu
Varusham pudhiya varusham
Nalla vaazhvai naadiyathu
Silarathu vaazhakkai ragasiya paadam
Unaiyandri enthan ullam yaar kaana koodum
Silarathu vaazhakkai ragasiya paadam
Unaiyandri enthan ullam yaar kaana koodum
Nilavinilae kurai irunthum
Thirumugaththil karai irunthum vaanam vidumo
Kanavilum yaezhai ninaiththidavillai
Iruvarai ingae ondraai inaiththathu velai
Kaniyidhazhum pani malarum
Unakkenavae malarnthirukkum unnai ninainthae
Iravum pagalum oruvan ninaivai
Paadum paravai idhu
Thanimai siraiyil nedunaal varaiyil
Paavam vaadiyathu
Varusham pudhiya varusham
Nalla vaazhvai naadiyathu
Varusham pudhiya varusham
Nalla vaazhvai naadiyathu
Night and day, thinking of one man,
this is the bird that sings.
Trapped in the prison of loneliness for so long,
the poor thing withered away.
A year, a brand new year,
came seeking a better life.....
A year, a brand new year,
came seeking a better life.....
Night and day, thinking of one man,
this is the bird that sings.
Trapped in the prison of loneliness for so long,
the poor thing withered away.
May our bond live on through every birth,
may both our hearts be surrounded always by happiness.
May our bond live on through every birth,
may both our hearts be surrounded always by happiness.
As the new year arrives at midnight,
may God bless us with joy.
Night and day, thinking of one man,
this is the bird that sings.
Trapped in the prison of loneliness for so long,
the poor thing withered away.
A year, a brand new year,
came seeking a better life.....
A year, a brand new year,
came seeking a better life.....
Some people's lives are a secret lesson;
who else but you can truly know my heart?
Some people's lives are a secret lesson;
who else but you can truly know my heart?
Even though the moon has its flaws,
and a stain on its lovely face, would the sky ever cast it away?
Even in her dreams, this poor girl never thought,
yet the right moment brought the two of us together here.
These sweet lips and this fresh flower
have bloomed just for you, thinking only of you.
Night and day, thinking of one man,
this is the bird that sings.
Trapped in the prison of loneliness for so long,
the poor thing withered away.
A year, a brand new year,
came seeking a better life.....
A year, a brand new year,
came seeking a better life.....
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Iravum Pagalum from the 1981 film Kanneer Pookkal is an emotional song expressing deep yearning, isolation, and hope for renewal. The protagonist compares herself to a songbird confined within a prison of loneliness, pining for her beloved day and night. The arrival of the New Year at midnight serves as a poignant symbol of hope, where she prays for divine blessings to bestow lasting joy and unite two souls in harmony across lifetimes.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

“Thanimai siraiyil nedunaal varaiyil”

Solitude is compared directly to a prison ('Thanimai sirai'), emphasizing the feeling of emotional confinement.

Personification

“Paadum paravai idhu”

The speaker portrays herself as a lonely singing bird ('Paadum paravai idhu') expressing her inner longing.

Analogy

“Nilavinilae kurai irunthum Thirumugaththil karai irunthum vaanam vidumo”

Comparing human flaws to the spots on the moon ('Nilavinilae kurai irunthum') which the sky never rejects, representing unconditional love.

Did you know?

Trivia

Kanneer Pookkal (1981) features music by the popular duo Shankar-Ganesh and lyrics by Vaali. Rendered with deep emotional range by S. Janaki, the song uniquely blends a midnight New Year celebration motif with themes of romantic devotion and emotional healing.

Keep listening

Songs with a similar feeling

Kanavugale Oorkolam Enge1980
Samanthi PooLongingMemory
Naan Erikkarai Melirunthu (Sad)1992
Chinna ThayeeLongingMelancholic
Happy New Year1984
Oh Maane MaaneHopeNew Year Celebration
Ennamellam Or Idathaye1958
ThirumanamLongingMemory
Thoora Megangalil2025
YoloLongingMelancholic
Ilamai Itho Itho1982
Sakalakala Vallavan 1982New Year CelebrationNew Year Season

From the same album

More songs from Kanneer Pookkal

View album
Vasanthamum Neeye1981
Kanneer PookkalRomantic
Kaviya Mullai Pol1981
Kanneer PookkalMournful

Spot an issue?

Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.