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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kaariga

From Airaa · 2019

Lyricist
Madhan Karky
Singer
Sid Sriram
Music director
Sundaramurthy KS
Details
Airaa2019

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Nee un aasai mattumaAre you just your desires?
Un vedam mattumaAre you just your scriptures?
Un dhegam ennumIs this body of yours...
Poi mattuma...just a lie?
Male
Nee un inbam mattumaAre you just your joy?
Un thunbam mattumaAre you just your sorrow?
Un enna koottinAre you the sum total...
Ottumothama...of your collection of thoughts?
Male
Vinaakal nooraiyiramQuestions are in hundreds of thousands,
Vidai nee vaaazhgindra vaazhvaeThe answer is the life you live.
Vidhaithu nee povathaeWhat you sow and leave behind...
Mudintha un vaazhvin neelvae...is the extension of your completed life.
Male
KaarigaO Woman,
En kaarigaMy woman,
Un noolileri pogiraaiYou burn away like a wick on your own thread,
Nee pogiraayoAre you leaving?
Male
KaarigaO Woman,
En kaarigaMy woman,
Unai aatuvippathaarenaWho is controlling your movements,
Nee kaanuvaayoWill you see?
Male
Nee un pookal mattumaAre you only your flowers?
Un mutkal mattumaAre you only your thorns?
Un vaasam theerndhaaloWhen your fragrance fades,
Nee yaaroWho are you?
Male
Nee un punnagaigalaAre you your smiles?
Un vedhanaigalaOr your agonies?
Un aazhathilAt your core deep within,
Nee yaaroWho are you?
Male
KaarigaO Woman,
En kaarigaMy woman,
Un noolileri pogiraaiYou burn away like a wick on your own thread,
Nee pogiraayoAre you leaving?
Male
KaarigaO Woman,
En kaarigaMy woman,
Unai aatuvippathaarenaWho is controlling your movements,
Nee kaanuvaayoWill you see?
Male
Po mel yeri poGo, climb high and go,
Nillaamal poGo without stopping,
Un vergalai thediIn search of your roots,
Male
Yen idaiyilaeWhy in between...
Kuzhappamoo...is there confusion?
Po po poGo, go, go,
Male
KaarigaO Woman,
En kaarigaMy woman,
Kutram nenjilaeGuilt in the heart,
Un nenjilaeIn your heart,
Male
ThooralilIn the drizzle,
SenthooralilIn the crimson rain,
Neeyum pogiraaiYou too are going,
Kanneerilae…ae…ae…ae…ae…..ae…In tears...
Male
KaarigaO Woman,
En kaarigaMy woman,
Un noolileri pogiraaiYou burn away like a wick on your own thread,
Nee pogiraayoAre you leaving?
Male
KaarigaO Woman,
En kaarigaMy woman,
Unai aatuvippathaarenaWho is controlling your movements,
Nee kaanuvaayoWill you see?
Male
Nee un pookal mattumaAre you only your flowers?
Un mutkal mattumaAre you only your thorns?
Un vaasam theerndhaaloWhen your fragrance fades,
Nee yaaroWho are you?
Male
Nee un punnagaigalaAre you your smiles?
Un vedhanaigalaOr your agonies?
Un aazhathilAt your core deep within,
Nee yaaroWho are you?
Male
Kaariga…O Woman...
Female
Ival yaaro aval yaaroWho is she, who is that woman?
Oor vero per veroIs her town different, her name different?
Nee pogiraai…You are going...
Engu pogiraaiWhere are you going?
Female
Kan moodiyumEven with eyes closed,
Un thedal thodarudhaeYour search continues,
Un paadhai meendum malarumaeYour path will bloom again,
Idhu urangum neram allavaeThis is not the time to sleep,
Iru vizhigal thirandhidavaeLet both eyes open,
Un uruvam therinthidavaeSo your form becomes visible,
En nizhalum thodargirathaeMy shadow also follows,
Engu pogiraaiWhere are you going?
Female
Yaar kettar un viruppaiWho asked for your desire?
Yaar vandhaar unakaagaWho came for your sake?
Yaar thudaithaar un kanneerWho wiped your tears?
Badhil solla vaariya kaarigaAre you coming to answer, O woman?
Female
Un mudivai thediIn search of your end,
Neeyum pogiraai kaarigaYou too are going, O woman,
Un mudivai thediIn search of your end,
Neeyum pogiraaiYou too are going,
Female
Un udalum en uyirumYour body and my soul,
Un thunbamum en inbamumYour sorrow and my joy,
Ondraai serum velaiThe time when they join as one,
Vandhadhaa vaa enHas it arrived? Come, my...
Male
KaarigaO Woman,
En kaarigaMy woman,
Un noolileri pogiraaiYou burn away like a wick on your own thread,
Nee pogiraayoAre you leaving?
Male
KaarigaO Woman,
En kaarigaMy woman,
Unai aatuvippathaarenaWho is controlling your movements,
Nee kaanuvaayo….oo…oo…Will you see?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Kaariga' from the film 'Airaa' is a deeply philosophical and melancholic track that explores theme of identity, fate, and the existential suffering of a woman. Lyricist Madhan Karky poses profound rhetorical questions asking whether a person's identity is defined merely by physical presence, momentary happiness, or deep-seated trauma, drawing a poignant parallel between a human life and a candle wick burning away on its own thread. As the song progresses, it delves into the journey of seeking one's roots and destiny amidst neglect, pain, and solitary struggles. It highlights how grief, guilt, and karma intertwine, ultimately leading to a spiritual union between body and soul as the protagonist moves toward her inevitable end.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Extended Metaphor

Un noolileri pogiraai

Comparing a woman's self-destructive path and life force to a wick burning on its own thread ('Un noolileri pogiraai').

Antithesis / Contrast

Nee un pookal mattuma / Un mutkal mattuma

Juxtaposing contrasting imagery of gentle nature elements like flowers ('pookal') and painful thorns ('mutkal') to reflect life's duality.

Rhetorical Questions

Un vaasam theerndhaalo / Nee yaaro

Repeatedly questioning identity and purpose ('Nee yaaro', 'Engu pogiraai') to evoke introspection about existence.

Emoni / Anaphora

Kaariga / En kaariga

Repetition of the opening word 'Kaariga' across stanzas to establish emotional emphasis and rhythmic cadence.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Kaariga' is composed by Sundaramurthy KS with lyrics written by Madhan Karky for the 2019 Tamil horror-thriller film 'Airaa', starring Nayanthara in a dual role. The classical Tamil word 'Kaariga' (or 'Kaarigai') poetically signifies a beautiful woman.

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