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Pokkisham album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Kanavu Sila Samayam

From Pokkisham · 2009

Lyricist
Yugabharathi
Singer
V. Prasanna
Music director
Sabesh – Murali
Movie name
Pokkisham
Movie release year
2009
Lyrics added on
15 Mar 2018

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
………………
Kanavu sila samayam
Kalayum nilayum undu
Mudivu theriyum varai poruthiru
Adhuvum sila samayam
Jeyikka vazhigal undu
Vidiyum pozhudu varai vizhithiru
Idhu yugikka mudiyaa
Kanidhamae
Oru porukku pogum payanamae
Inbam thedum kaadhal
Yetridatha ulagada
Thumbam neengi pogum
Tholvi kooda azhagada
Oru melliya kavalayin
Madiyilae
Iru nenjamum purappadum
Payanamae
Nanan nana naaa….(6)
Thavippu oru puramum
Thudippu maru puramum
Thodangum idhuvum oru yaathirai
Iravu thuyilirukka
Idhayam vizhithirukka
Alayil puralgiradhu aan karai
Indha vaazhvil yedhum neralam
Andha eesan theerpai kooralam
Indru pola naalai illai endrum aagalam
Nalla naalum netru ponadhendru yengalaam
Oru melliya kavalayin madiyilae
Iru nenjamum purappadum payanamae
...
Sometimes, dreams
are bound to shatter.
Be patient until the outcome is known.
Yet sometimes,
there are ways to win.
Stay awake until the dawn arrives.
This is an unpredictable
equation,
a journey marching into battle.
Love that seeks happiness,
this world will not accept it, my friend.
Sorrow will eventually fade,
and even defeat is beautiful.
In the lap of
a tender sorrow,
two hearts set out
on a journey.
Nanan nana naa...
With anxiety on one side
and yearning on the other,
this journey too begins.
While the night is asleep
and the heart stays awake,
the man's shore tosses in the waves.
Anything can happen in this life;
God may deliver His verdict.
Tomorrow may not be like today;
one might yearn for the good days that have passed.
In the lap of a tender sorrow,
two hearts set out on a journey.
Chorus
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Chorus
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This soulful track from Cheran's 'Pokkisham' (2009) reflects on the bittersweet uncertainties of life, love, and human destiny. The song frames love as an emotional journey fraught with anxieties, comparing life to an unpredictable mathematical equation and a battle where outcomes are uncertain. It encourages resilience, reminding the listener that sorrow is temporary and that even defeat holds a subtle, poetic beauty. The lyrics capture the deep emotional state of two lovers separated by circumstances, highlighting their sleepless nights, persistent yearning, and quiet hope. Through rich imagery and philosophical musings, the song emphasizes accepting fate while keeping hope alive until a new dawn arrives.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagakani)

Idhu yugikka mudiyaa / Kanidhamae / Oru porukku pogum payanamae

Life and love are metaphorically compared to unpredictable mathematics and a journey into war.

Oxymoron / Paradox

Tholvi kooda azhagada

Defeat, which is usually associated with pain, is poetically described as beautiful.

Personification

Iravu thuyilirukka / Idhayam vizhithirukka

The night is personified as being asleep while the human heart stays awake.

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Thavippu oru puramum / Thudippu maru puramum

The second consonant sounds 'vi' in 'Thavippu' and 'Thudippu' rhyme to create rhythmic harmony.

Did you know?

Trivia

Pokkisham (2009), directed by and starring Cheran, features music composed by the duo Sabesh-Murali with lyrics by Yugabharathi. The film is a nostalgic period romance centered around love letters exchanged between the protagonists in the 1970s.

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