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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kadavulin Aanai

From Punniya Boomi · 1978

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
S. Janaki
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Punniya Boomi1978

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics↻ English translation
Female
Kadavulin aanai boomiyil vandhomBy God's command, we came to this earth.
Kanneero punnagaiyoIs it tears, or is it a smile?
Kaal galin keelae kidappadhu ennaWhat lies beneath our feet?
Thannero thanal thaanoIs it cool water, or is it burning ember?
Female
Kadavulin aanai boomiyil vandhomBy God's command, we came to this earth.
Kanneero punnagaiyoIs it tears, or is it a smile?
Kaal galin keelae kidappadhu ennaWhat lies beneath our feet?
Thannero thanal thaanoIs it cool water, or is it burning ember?
Chorus
Kadavulin aanai boomiyil vandhomBy God's command, we came to this earth.
Kanneero punnagaiyoIs it tears, or is it a smile?
Kaal galin keelae kidappadhu ennaWhat lies beneath our feet?
Thannero thanal thaanoIs it cool water, or is it burning ember?
Female
Kallaal adithaal viluvadhu ennaWhen hit by a stone, what falls down?
Kaaithano kanithaanoIs it an unripe fruit, or a ripe fruit?
Female
Kaaithano kanithaanoIs it an unripe fruit, or a ripe fruit?
Female
Kaalathin vayalil vilaivadhu ennaIn the field of time, what grows?
Nel thaano pul thaanoIs it paddy crop, or is it grass?
Female :Nel thaano pul thaanoFemale: Is it paddy crop, or is it grass?
Female
Kadavulin aanai boomiyil vandhomBy God's command, we came to this earth.
Kanneero punnagaiyoIs it tears, or is it a smile?
Kaal galin keelae kidappadhu ennaWhat lies beneath our feet?
Thannero thanal thaanoIs it cool water, or is it burning ember?
Female
Pennae deivam pennae sakthiWoman is God, woman is power;
Meidhaano poithaanoIs it true, or is it false?
Female :Meidhaano poithaanoFemale: Is it true, or is it false?
Female :Mei thaan endraal naanum ulagilFemale: If it is true, then in this world,
Thaazhvaeno uyarvaenoWill I fall low, or will I rise high?
Female :Thaazhvaeno uyarvaenoFemale: Will I fall low, or will I rise high?
Female
Kadavulin aanai boomiyil vandhomBy God's command, we came to this earth.
Kanneero punnagaiyoIs it tears, or is it a smile?
Kaal galin keelae kidappadhu ennaWhat lies beneath our feet?
Thannero thanal thaanoIs it cool water, or is it burning ember?
Female
Nambikkai vilakku namakkul irukkuThe lamp of hope lies within us;
Nadappoma iruppomaShall we walk ahead, or remain still?
Female :Nadappoma iruppomaFemale: Shall we walk ahead, or remain still?
Female :Naalaiya vaazhki kadavulin kanakkuFemale: Tomorrow's life is God's calculation;
Thaduppoma maruppomaShall we stop it, or reject it?
Female :Thaduppoma maruppomaFemale: Shall we stop it, or reject it?
Female
Kadavulin aanai boomiyil vandhomBy God's command, we came to this earth.
Kanneero punnagaiyoIs it tears, or is it a smile?
Kaal galin keelae kidappadhu ennaWhat lies beneath our feet?
Thannero thanal thaanoIs it cool water, or is it burning ember?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Punniya Boomi is a deeply philosophical song exploring human destiny, existence, and the inherent dualities of life. Written by the revered lyricist Kannadasan, the song questions whether human life on earth is defined by joy or sorrow, cool waters or burning flames, and whether one's harvest in the field of time yields rich grain or useless grass. It reflects on the position of women, invoking the ideal of woman as divine power while confronting the stark realities of worldly elevation or degradation. Ultimately, the song encourages keeping the lamp of hope burning internally, acknowledging that while tomorrow's life is dictated by divine design, human spirit must decide whether to move forward or stay paralyzed.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Antithesis

“Kanneero punnagaiyo / Thannero thanal thaano”

Continuous use of contrasting pairs such as tears vs. smiles (Kanneero/Punnagaiyo) and water vs. fire (Thannero/Thanal) to emphasize life's polarities.

Metaphor

“Kaalathin vayalil vilaivadhu enna”

Time is metaphorically framed as a field ('Kaalathin vayalil') where one's life experiences grow like paddy or grass.

Rhetorical Questioning

“Meidhaano poithaano / Thaazhvaeno uyarvaeno”

Kannadasan uses a string of contemplative questions to provoke philosophical reflection on destiny and social status.

Alliteration (Moonaai)

“Kadavulin aanai boomiyil vandhom / Kanneero punnagaiyo”

Repetition of the initial 'Ka' sound in words within the opening refrain.

Did you know?

Trivia

Featuring lyrics by Kannadasan and music composed by M. S. Vishwanathan, Punniya Boomi (1978) stars Sivaji Ganesan. S. Janaki's rendition sensitively delivers the philosophical questioning inherent in Kannadasan's signature writing style.

Keep listening

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