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Enakku Oru Needhi album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Kanneerale Vidhiyin

From Enakku Oru Needhi · 1990

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singer
K. J. Jesudass
Music director
V. Kumar
Movie name
Enakku Oru Needhi
Movie release year
1990
Lyrics added on
15 Oct 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kanneeraalae vidhiyin kaikal
Ezhuthum kolamithu
Kaanalil odidum kaagitha oddam
Engae povathu
Kanneeraalae vidhiyin kaikal
Ezhuthum kolamithu
Kaanalil odidum kaagitha oddam
Engae povathu
Annai un azhagai paarkkum
Vizhiyai moodinaal
Unnai thoonga vaikkavillai
Avalthaan thoonginaal
Oonjalai poloru koondil
Kiliyae thoongavo
Unaiyae ennaidum thanthai
Thaniyae yaengavo
Eththanai kaalam ippadi pogum
Kandathai yaaro yaaro
Kanneeraalae vidhiyin kaikal
Ezhuthum kolamithu
Kaanalil odidum kaagitha oddam
Engae povathu
Oomai paadum intha raagam
Ulagam ketkumaa
Naalai engalathu vaanil
Velicham thondrumaa
Koyilum kallarai aanaal
Edhuthaan sannathi
Alaiyum nenjukku konjam
Azhuthaal nimmath
Yaaridam sella yaaridam solla
Aaruthal solvaar yaaro
Kanneeraalae vidhiyin kaikal
Ezhuthum kolamithu
Kaanalil odidum kaagitha oddam
Engae povathu…..
With tears, the hands of fate
draw this painful design.
A paper boat drifting across a mirage,
where can it possibly go...?
With tears, the hands of fate
draw this painful design.
A paper boat drifting across a mirage,
where can it possibly go...?
The mother who looked upon your beauty
has closed her eyes forever.
She did not put you to sleep;
she was the one who went to sleep.
In a cage that sways like a cradle,
is my little bird meant to sleep?
While your father, thinking only of you,
must grieve and suffer all alone?
How long will life go on like this?
Who knows what lies ahead...?
With tears, the hands of fate
draw this painful design.
A paper boat drifting across a mirage,
where can it possibly go...?
This song sung by a mute soul,
will the world ever hear it?
Tomorrow, in our dark sky,
will a ray of light ever shine?
If even a temple turns into a grave,
where else can a sacred shrine be?
For a heart wandering in pain,
there is a little relief in crying.
Whom can I turn to, whom can I tell?
Who is there to offer comfort...?
With tears, the hands of fate
draw this painful design.
A paper boat drifting across a mirage,
where can it possibly go...?
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This poignant song expresses the grief and helplessness of a grieving father who is left to care for his young child after the tragic demise of the mother. He laments the cruel design of destiny, comparing their fragile lives to a paper boat navigating through an unattainable mirage, uncertain of its ultimate destination. Through intense existential questions, the lyrics capture the despair of suffering in silence and feeling unheard by the world. The father wonders if hope and light will ever return to their lives, finding solace only in tears as he copes with the loss of sanctuary and comfort.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Personification (Uruvagappaduthal)

Kanneeraalae vidhiyin kaikal Ezhuthum kolamithu

Fate (Vidhi) is given human attributes, described as having hands that draw patterns using tears.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Kaanalil odidum kaagitha oddam

Life's uncertain and futile journey is metaphorically compared to a paper boat trying to sail across a desert mirage.

Rhetorical Question (Vinaa Aani)

Oomai paadum intha raagam Ulagam ketkumaa

A series of questions are asked to emphasize grief and despair rather than seeking a literal answer.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Oomai paadum intha raagam

Unexpressed sorrow is depicted as a music/raga sung by a mute person.

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Trivia

Written by the distinguished poet and lyricist Pulamaipithan, known for his profound philosophical depth and classic Tamil diction, the song showcases his ability to translate deep personal grief into poetic imagery.

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