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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Iravum Pagalum Oruvan

From Kanneer Pookkal · 1981

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Kanneer Pookkal1981

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Iravum pagalum oruvan ninaivaiNight and day, carrying the thought of one man
Paadum paravai idhuThis is a bird that sings
Thanimai siraiyil nedunaal varaiyilIn a prison of solitude, for a very long time
Paavam vaadiyathuPoor thing, it withered away
Female
Varusham pudhiya varushamA year, a brand new year
Nalla vaazhvai naadiyathuIt sought a good life
Varusham pudhiya varushamA year, a brand new year
Nalla vaazhvai naadiyathuIt sought a good life
Female
Iravum pagalum oruvan ninaivaiNight and day, carrying the thought of one man
Paadum paravai idhuThis is a bird that sings
Thanimai siraiyil nedunaal varaiyilIn a prison of solitude, for a very long time
Paavam vaadiyathuPoor thing, it withered away
Female
Piravigal thorum uravugal vaazhgaMay relationships thrive across all births
Irumanam endrum nalangalai soozhgaMay goodness always surround two hearts
Piravigal thorum uravugal vaazhgaMay relationships thrive across all births
Irumanam endrum nalangalai soozhgaMay goodness always surround two hearts
Female
Nadu iravil pudhu varudam varumpozhuthuAs the New Year arrives at midnight
Sugam pirakka dheivam arulgaMay God grant grace for happiness to be born
Female
Iravum pagalum oruvan ninaivaiNight and day, carrying the thought of one man
Paadum paravai idhuThis is a bird that sings
Thanimai siraiyil nedunaal varaiyilIn a prison of solitude, for a very long time
Paavam vaadiyathuPoor thing, it withered away
Female
Varusham pudhiya varushamA year, a brand new year
Nalla vaazhvai naadiyathuIt sought a good life
Varusham pudhiya varushamA year, a brand new year
Nalla vaazhvai naadiyathuIt sought a good life
Female
Silarathu vaazhakkai ragasiya paadamSome people's lives are a secret lesson
Unaiyandri enthan ullam yaar kaana koodumExcept for you, who else can see my heart?
Silarathu vaazhakkai ragasiya paadamSome people's lives are a secret lesson
Unaiyandri enthan ullam yaar kaana koodumExcept for you, who else can see my heart?
Female
Nilavinilae kurai irunthumEven if there is a spot on the moon
Thirumugaththil karai irunthum vaanam vidumoEven with a mark on its holy face, does the sky abandon it?
Female
Kanavilum yaezhai ninaiththidavillaiEven in dreams, this poor girl did not imagine
Iruvarai ingae ondraai inaiththathu velaiTime has united the two of us here as one
Kaniyidhazhum pani malarumThe sweet lip and the dew-kissed flower
Unakkenavae malarnthirukkum unnai ninainthaeHave bloomed thinking of you, just for you
Female
Iravum pagalum oruvan ninaivaiNight and day, carrying the thought of one man
Paadum paravai idhuThis is a bird that sings
Thanimai siraiyil nedunaal varaiyilIn a prison of solitude, for a very long time
Paavam vaadiyathuPoor thing, it withered away
Female
Varusham pudhiya varushamA year, a brand new year
Nalla vaazhvai naadiyathuIt sought a good life
Varusham pudhiya varushamA year, a brand new year
Nalla vaazhvai naadiyathuIt sought a good life

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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

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