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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kanavugalthan Vazhvada

From Aavathellam Pennale · 1965

Lyricist
Puratchi Dasan
Singer
A. M. Raja
Music director
Jeevan
Movie name
Aavathellam Pennale
Movie release year
1965
Lyrics added on
9 Jun 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kadal soozhndha vaiya melae
Chorus :Aaa….aa….
Male :Kanalaagum aavi polae
Chorus :Aaa….aa….
Male :Manamaengi povadhoo innaalae
Kanavugal thaan vaazhvaada
Kaalam polladhada
Un vaazhvai enni paarada
Kanavugal thaan vaazhvaada
Kaalam polladhada
Un vaazhvai enni paarada
Nirantharamaai endrum seemangal vaazhndhadhillai
Chorus :Aaa….aa….
Male :Nirantharamaai endrum seemangal vaazhndhadhillai
Ninaipathu polae naam pera mudivathillai
Chorus :Aaa….aa….
Male :Ninaipathu polae naam pera mudivathillai
Bayangara kobamadhaal paazhaagum vaazhkaiyada
Bayangara kobamadhaal paazhaagum vaazhkaiyada
Kanavugal thaan vaazhvaada
Kaalam polladhada
Un vaazhvai enni paarada
Uravudan nesangalum piraviyin paasangalum
Uravudan nesangalum piraviyin paasangalum
Gopura maligaiyum kulathin perumaigalum
Gopura maligaiyum kulathin perumaigalum
Nilai thadu maarinaal yaavum thootridumae
Chorus :Aaa….aa….
Male :Neer mel kaanum oviyam vaazhvae
Vathaithidum vedhanai nee kanda sodhanai
Vathaithidum vedhanai nee kanda sodhanai
Aaa….aa….
Male :Kanavugal thaan vaazhvaada
Kaalam polladhada
Un vaazhvai enni paarada
Aaa….aa….
Male :Kanavugal thaan vaazhvaada
Kaalam polladhada
Un vaazhvai enni paarada
Upon this earth surrounded by the ocean,
Chorus: Ah.... ah....
Male: Like a soul burning in flames,
Chorus: Ah.... ah....
Male: The heart aches and longs today.
Is life nothing but dreams, my friend?
Time is cruel, my friend.
Think about your life and see.
Is life nothing but dreams, my friend?
Time is cruel, my friend.
Think about your life and see.
Great fortunes and realms have never lasted forever,
Chorus: Ah.... ah....
Male: Great fortunes and realms have never lasted forever,
We cannot get everything just the way we want.
Chorus: Ah.... ah....
Male: We cannot get everything just the way we want.
Terrible anger ruins a whole life, my friend.
Terrible anger ruins a whole life, my friend.
Is life nothing but dreams, my friend?
Time is cruel, my friend.
Think about your life and see.
Loving bonds of relations and lifelong attachments,
Loving bonds of relations and lifelong attachments,
Towering mansions and family pride—
Towering mansions and family pride—
If your status falters, they will all scorn you.
Chorus: Ah.... ah....
Male: Life is just a painting drawn on water.
This agonizing pain is a test you face.
This agonizing pain is a test you face.
Ah.... ah....
Male: Is life nothing but dreams, my friend?
Time is cruel, my friend.
Think about your life and see.
Ah.... ah....
Male: Is life nothing but dreams, my friend?
Time is cruel, my friend.
Think about your life and see.
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Chorus
Chorus

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This philosophical song reflects on the transience and impermanence of human life, power, and earthly attachments. It emphasizes that life often feels like a passing dream governed by relentless time, reminding the listener to ponder their own existence carefully. It highlights how great kingdoms do not endure forever, uncontrolled anger destroys lives, and status or lineage offer no permanent security. Life is poetically compared to a painting drawn on water, ephemeral and delicate, urging introspection over material pride.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

“Male :Neer mel kaanum oviyam vaazhvae”

Life is explicitly compared to a drawing made on top of water ('Neer mel kaanum oviyam'), highlighting its fleeting and impermanent nature.

Initial Alliteration (Monai)

“Kanavugal thaan vaazhvaada / Kaalam polladhada”

Repetition of the initial sound 'Ka' across lines ('Kanavugal', 'Kaalam') creates a rhythmic cadence in the chorus.

Metaphor / Imagery

“Male :Kanalaagum aavi polae”

The imagery of 'Kanalaagum aavi' (vapor turning into fire/heat) conveys deep emotional agony and restless longing.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song from the 1965 film 'Aavathellam Pennale' features lyrics by Puratchi Dasan and music composed by Jeevan. Sung by the acclaimed playback singer A. M. Raja, this track stands out as a memorable philosophical monologue on human impermanence.

Keep listening

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