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Lyrics & meaning

Irubathu Vayathenum

From Mogam Muppathu Varsham · 1976

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
K. Vijaya Baskar
Details
Mogam Muppathu Varsham1976

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Irubathu vayathenum ilamaiyil dhinamIn the youth of twenty years, every day
Arupathu kalaigalai arivathae sugamExploring the sixty-four arts brings true joy
Vaazhvil endrum orae tharam varumIt arrives only once in life
Orae tharam tharumAnd bestows its bliss only once
Female
Thaanum sugathai peruvathillaiNeither experiencing bliss oneself
Yaarum peravum viduvathillaiNor letting anyone else experience it
Paalaivanathil mazhai thulipolLike a single drop of rain in a vast desert
Veenae ilamai kazhavathennaWhy let precious youth go in vain?
Female
Acham enna rasikkaWhy fear to enjoy life?
Vetkam enna suvaikkaWhy feel shy to savor it?
Micham enna namakkuWhat is left for us
Ulaginil irukku…Remaining in this world...
Female
Irubathu vayathenum ilamaiyil dhinamIn the youth of twenty years, every day
Arupathu kalaigalai arivathae sugamExploring the sixty-four arts brings true joy
Female
…………..
Female
Neerum unakku sudugirathuWater feels scorching hot to you
Theeyum enakku kulirkirathuFire feels soothingly cool to me
Kaalai urakkam varugirathuSleep arrives in the morning
Maalai ilamai vidikkirathuYouth dawns in the evening
Female
Etti nindraal nerungumIf you stand far away, it draws close
Kitta sendraal ilagumIf you step closer, it softens and yields
RendungettaanCaught in a strange dilemma
Ulagam thedi thantha sorkkamIs this the paradise searched and given by the world?
Female
Irubathu vayathenum ilamaiyil dhinamIn the youth of twenty years, every day
Arupathu kalaigalai arivathae sugamExploring the sixty-four arts brings true joy
Female
Yaehae parthaal veliyil uravirukkumOutwardly, a relationship appears to exist
Aanaal manathil pirivirikkumYet within the heart, there lies distance
Yaedho ulagam nadakkirathuThe world moves on somehow
Yaeno adhaiyum madhikkirathuWhy does it even respect such appearances?
Female
Pattu methai virikkumA silk mattress is laid out
Palliyarai irukkumThe bedchamber is present
Nenjam angae thavikkumYet the heart suffers in agony there
Kadhai enna kadhaiyoWhat a strange story this is!
Female
Irubathu vayathenum ilamaiyil dhinamIn the youth of twenty years, every day
Arupathu kalaigalai arivathae sugamExploring the sixty-four arts brings true joy
Vaazhvil endrum orae tharam varumIt arrives only once in life
Orae tharam varumIt comes only once

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Irubathu Vayathenum' reflects on the fleeting nature of youth and the paradoxical complexities of marital intimacy and emotional distance. The protagonist ponders why people waste their vibrant youth in hesitation, fear, and emotional reserve rather than embracing the joys of life and intimacy. Through vivid imagery of heat, cold, and contrasting day-night cycles, the lyrics capture the internal struggle of a soul trapped in a superficial relationship where physical proximity lacks emotional warmth.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Paalaivanathil mazhai thulipol

Compares wasted youth to a futile drop of rain falling in a dry desert.

Antithesis / Oxymoron (Muran)

Neerum unakku sudugirathu / Theeyum enakku kulirkirathu

Contrasts opposing elements (hot water vs cool fire, morning sleep vs evening youth) to highlight internal emotional turmoil.

Rhyme / Parallel Structure (Iyaibu)

Acham enna rasikka / Vetkam enna suvaikka

Uses rhyming endings ('rasikka' / 'suvaikka') to create rhythmic emphasis on questioning social inhibitions.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is from the 1976 film 'Mogam Muppathu Varsham', starring Kamal Haasan and Sumithra. The title of the movie translates to 'Lust Lasts Thirty Years', and the soundtrack composed by Vijaya Bhaskar became popular for its philosophical and bold themes on romance and youth.

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