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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kaarirul Neram

From Avan (1953) · 1953

Lyricist
Kambadasan
Singer
A. M. Raja
Music director
Shankar Jaikishan
Details
Avan (1953)1953

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kaarirul neram kaalaiyo thooramIt is a time of pitch darkness, and the morning is far away
Kanneer paaram nenjilae oo….oo….The heavy weight of tears fills my heart, oo...oo...
Kaarirul neram kaalaiyo thooramIt is a time of pitch darkness, and the morning is far away
Kanneer paaram nenjilae oo….oo….The heavy weight of tears fills my heart, oo...oo...
Male
Kaanavae melum karuththae endraalumEven if I wish to see further ahead with intention
Karunai seivaarillaiyaeThere is no one to show mercy
Kaanavae melum karuththae endraalumEven if I wish to see further ahead with intention
Karunai seivaarillaiyaeThere is no one to show mercy
Searveno veedo maarkkaththil kaadaeWill I ever reach home? There is a forest in my path
Maranthathu mathi manjilae ooo….My mind is lost amidst the fog, ooo...
Male
Kaarirul neram kaalaiyo thooramIt is a time of pitch darkness, and the morning is far away
Kanneer paaram nenjilae oo….oo….The heavy weight of tears fills my heart, oo...oo...
Male
Paathaiyil kanneerTears on the path
Aaviyil kanneerTears in my spirit
Paarkkum vaan thaarai kanneerTears in the stars looking down from the sky
Paathaiyil kanneerTears on the path
Aaviyil kanneerTears in my spirit
Paarkkum vaan thaarai kanneerTears in the stars looking down from the sky
Male
Paniyo savaththiraiThe dew is like a shroud
Thaniyaam yaaththiraiA lonely journey
Saarpae illai mannilae…ooo….There is no support for me on this earth...ooo...
Male
Kaarirul neram kaalaiyo thooramIt is a time of pitch darkness, and the morning is far away
Kanneer paaram nenjilae oo….oo….The heavy weight of tears fills my heart, oo...oo...
Kanneer paaram nenjilae oo….oo….The heavy weight of tears fills my heart, oo...oo...
Kanneer paaram nenjilae oo….oo….The heavy weight of tears fills my heart, oo...oo...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant track expresses deep angst, utter loneliness, and existential despair. The protagonist travels through a pitch-black night where dawn seems impossibly distant, metaphorically reflecting his personal grief and loss of direction in life. Enveloped in fog and surrounded by a dense forest, his mind wanders without guidance or compassion from the world.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Kaarirul neram kaalaiyo thooram

Repetition of the 'Ka' sound at the beginning of words in the line ('Kaarirul', 'kaalaiyo').

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Paniyo savaththirai

Comparing the cold morning dew ('pani') to a shroud ('savaththirai'), evoking themes of sorrow and mortality.

Anaphora / Repetition

Paathaiyil kanneer / Aaviyil kanneer / Paarkkum vaan thaarai kanneer

The word 'Kanneer' (tears) is repeated across consecutive lines to emphasize pervasive sadness.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Avan' (1953) is the Tamil dubbed version of the Hindi classic 'Awaara' (1951), directed by Raj Kapoor. The iconic music composed by Shankar Jaikishan was adapted into Tamil with lyrics by Kambadasan and vocals by A. M. Raja.

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