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IsaimozhiLyrics · Translation · Meaning

Lyrics & meaning

Ithu Kuzhanthai Paadum

From Oru Thalai Ragam · 1980

Lyricist: T. Rajendar
Singer: Balasubrahmanyam
Music director: T. Rajendar
Movie name: Oru Thalai Ragam
Movie release year: 1980
Lyrics added on: 7 Aug 2022

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics

↻ English translation

Idhu kuzhanthai paadum thaalaattu idhu iravu nera bhoopaalam

Idhu merkkil thondrum udhayam idhu nadhiyillaatha odam

Idhu kuzhanthai paadum thaalaattu idhu iravu nera bhoopaalam

Idhu merkkil thondrum udhayam idhu nadhiyillaatha odam

Idhu nadhiyillaatha odam

Nadai marantha kaalgal thannil thadayaththai paarkkiraen

Vadam izhantha therathu ondrai naalthorum izhukkiraen

Siragizhantha paravai ondrai vaanaththil paarkkiraen

Siragizhantha paravai ondrai vaanaththil paarkkiraen

Uravuraatha pennai ennai naalellaam vaazhgiraen

Idhu kuzhanthai paadum thaalaattu idhu iravu nera bhoopaalam

Verum naaril karam kondu poo maalai thodukkiraen

Verum kaattril uli kondu silai ondrai vadikkiraen

Vidinthu vitta pozhuthil kooda vinnmeenai paarkkiraen

Vidinthu vitta pozhuthil kooda vinnmeenai paarkkiraen

Viruppamillaa pennai ennai ulagai naan verukkiraen

Idhu kuzhanthai paadum thaalaattu idhu iravu nera bhoopaalam

Ulamarintha pinthaano avalai naan ninaiththathu

Uravuruvaal enathaanae manathai naan koduththathu

Uyirizhantha karuvai kondu kavithai naan vadippathu

Uyirizhantha karuvai kondu kavithai naan vadippathu

Oru thalaiyaai kadhalilae eththanai naal vaazhvathu

Idhu kuzhanthai paadum thaalaattu idhu iravu nera bhoopaalam

Idhu merkkil thondrum udhayam idhu nadhiyillaatha odam

Idhu nadhiyillaatha odam

This is a lullaby sung by a child, a morning melody in the dark of night.

This is a sunrise in the west, a boat without a river.

This is a lullaby sung by a child, a morning melody in the dark of night.

This is a sunrise in the west, a boat without a river.

This is a boat without a river.

I look for footprints left by feet that have forgotten how to walk.

Every day, I pull a temple chariot that has no rope.

I watch a wingless bird flying in the sky.

I watch a wingless bird flying in the sky.

Thinking of a woman who will never be mine, I spend all my days.

This is a lullaby sung by a child, a morning melody in the dark of night.

With bare fiber in my hands, I try to weave a garland of flowers.

With a chisel in empty air, I carve a statue.

Even after the day has dawned, I search for the stars.

Even after the day has dawned, I search for the stars.

Thinking of a woman who has no feelings for me, I hate this entire world.

This is a lullaby sung by a child, a morning melody in the dark of night.

Did I know what was in her heart before I fell in love with her?

Was it not believing she would be mine that I gave my heart away?

I am crafting a poem out of a lifeless embryo,

I am crafting a poem out of a lifeless embryo,

How many days can one live in one-sided love?

This is a lullaby sung by a child, a morning melody in the dark of night.

This is a sunrise in the west, a boat without a river.

This is a boat without a river.

Male

Male

Male

Male

Male

Male

Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song from 'Oru Thalai Ragam' explores the deep pain, futility, and existential absurdity of unrequited love. The protagonist uses a series of vivid paradoxes and oxymorons—such as a child singing a lullaby, a dawn raga played at night, the sun rising in the west, or sculpting in thin air—to express how irrational, unnatural, and hopeless his affection is, yet how helplessly he remains devoted to it. He laments the tragedy of pouring his soul into a bond that offers no reciprocity, ultimately questioning how long one can endure the agony of a one-sided romance.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Paradox / Oxymoron (Muran)

“Idhu merkkil thondrum udhayam idhu nadhiyillaatha odam”

Juxtaposition of impossible and contradictory concepts like playing a morning raga (Bhoopaalam) at night or the sun rising in the west to illustrate the unnaturalness of unrequited love.

Metaphor (Urvagam)

“Siragizhantha paravai ondrai vaanaththil paarkkiraen”

Comparing himself to a wingless bird or a riverless boat, signifying helplessness, aimlessness, and lack of support.

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

“Nadai marantha kaalgal thannil... / Vadam izhantha therathu ondrai...”

The second consonant sound 'da' repeats across consecutive lines (Nadai, Vadam), creating rhythmic structure in traditional Tamil prosody.

Rhetorical Question

“Oru thalaiyaai kadhalilae eththanai naal vaazhvathu”

The speaker asks a haunting question highlighting the unbearable despair of unrequited love without expecting a real answer.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Oru Thalai Ragam' (1980) was a landmark cult hit in Tamil cinema, written, composed, and co-directed by T. Rajendar in his debut. The film ran for over 365 days in theaters despite having a star cast of newcomers. S. P. Balasubrahmanyam's emotional rendition of this track turned it into an enduring anthem for tragic and one-sided lovers across South India.

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