Skip to content
Isaimozhi
Coimbatore Mappillai album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Jeevan En Jeevan

From Coimbatore Mappillai · 1996

Lyricist
P. R. C. Balu
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Vidyasagar
Movie name
Coimbatore Mappillai
Movie release year
1996
Lyrics added on
29 Apr 2022

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Jeevan en jeevan enai neengi pogalaamaa
Kadhal en kadhal adhu yaengi pogalaamaa
Iravodu pagal indru pidivaatham thanaikondu
Inai theeyil veezhalaamaa
Jeevan en jeevan enai neengi pogalaamaa
Kadhal en kadhal adhu yaengi pogalaamaa
Vaanam veru megam veru piriththu paarkka koodumaa
Neeyum naanum veru verendru pirikka nenjam thaangumaa
Thaamaraiyai neer thodaathathaal sonthamindri pogumaa
Udhaduthaanae poigal pesumaa uyirum poigal pesumaa
Nizhal edhu nijam edhu ariyaathu ilamaathu
Jeevan en jeevan enai neengi pogalaamaa
Kadhal en kadhal adhu yaengi pogalaamaa
Karaiyil mothum alaigal oyalaam kadhal nenjam oyumaa
Vaanil thondrum kadhirum theyalaam kadhal ninaivu theyumaa
Nilavil kooda kalangam kaanalaam nenjil adhu yaedhammaa
Vaanavil kooda nirangal maaralaam nesam niram maarumaa
Thalai saaikka madi thaedi yugam thorum varuvaenae
Jeevan en jeevan enai neengi pogalaamaa
Kadhal en kadhal adhu yaengi pogalaamaa
My life, my very soul, can you leave me and go away?
Can my love be left to pine away in longing?
With stubbornness gripping both day and night,
Should our loving bond fall into the fire?
My life, my very soul, can you leave me and go away?
Can my love be left to pine away in longing?
Can anyone separate the sky from the clouds and see them apart?
Can my heart bear it if you and I are torn apart as strangers?
Just because water does not cling to the lotus, does their bond disappear?
It is only the lips that speak lies; can the soul ever lie?
Unable to tell what is an illusion and what is real, this young woman...
My life, my very soul, can you leave me and go away?
Can my love be left to pine away in longing?
The waves crashing on the shore may grow calm, but can a loving heart ever rest?
Even the shining sun in the sky may fade, but can the memories of love ever fade?
One can find a spot even on the moon, but how could there be a flaw in my heart?
Even a rainbow may change its colors, but can love ever change its true color?
Seeking your lap to rest my head, I will return across every lifetime.
My life, my very soul, can you leave me and go away?
Can my love be left to pine away in longing?
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

Jeevan En Jeevan is a deeply poignant track from the film Coimbatore Mappillai that explores the agony of separation, misunderstood devotion, and eternal bond between two lovers. The protagonist questions the possibility of parting from his beloved, using powerful metaphors drawn from nature—such as the inseparable sky and clouds, the unsoiled lotus in water, the unending waves of the sea, and the timeless sun and moon. He emphasizes that while physical words or shadows may deceive, the affection residing in the soul is pure, unblemished, and constant. The song culminates in an affirmation of timeless love that transcends ages and obstacles.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani / Metaphorical Analogy)

Vaanam veru megam veru piriththu paarkka koodumaa

Compares the inseparable nature of the lovers to the sky and clouds, asserting that separating them is impossible.

Alliteration & Antithesis (Edhukai / Nizhal vs Nijam)

Nizhal edhu nijam edhu ariyaathu ilamaathu

Contrasts 'Nizhal' (shadow/illusion) and 'Nijam' (reality/truth) with matching phonetic structure to highlight confusion.

Rhetorical Question (Vinath Thalai)

Karaiyil mothum alaigal oyalaam kadhal nenjam oyumaa

Uses a series of rhetorical questions regarding nature's phenomena to emphasize that love's strength surpasses natural changes.

Refrain / Anaphora

Jeevan en jeevan enai neengi pogalaamaa

Repetition of the opening line throughout the song reinforces the emotional turmoil and central query of the protagonist.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although Coimbatore Mappillai (1996) starring Vijay and Goundamani is primarily remembered as a full-fledged romantic comedy, 'Jeevan En Jeevan' stands out as its most dramatic and soul-stirring melody. Composed by Vidyasagar and rendered with intense emotion by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, the song remains one of the most celebrated sad melodies in 90s Tamil cinema.

Keep listening

Songs with a similar feeling

From the same album

More songs from Coimbatore Mappillai

View album

Spot an issue?

Help us improve the lyrics or English translation.