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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Karayatha Manamum

From Varusham Padhinaaru · 1989

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
K. J. Yesudas andK. S. Chithra
Music director
Ilaiyaraja
Details
Varusham Padhinaaru1989

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Karaiyaadha manamum undoIs there a heart that does not melt?
Aa… karaiyaadha manamum undoAh... is there a heart that does not melt?
Dhinam ezhai paadum paadal kettuUpon hearing the song sung daily by a poor soul,
Male
Karaiyaadha manamum undoIs there a heart that does not melt?
Aa… karaiyaadha manamum undoAh... is there a heart that does not melt?
Female
Karaiyaadha manamum undoIs there a heart that does not melt?
Aa… karaiyaadha manamum undoAh... is there a heart that does not melt?
Dhinam ezhai paadum paadal kettuUpon hearing the song sung daily by a poor soul,
Female
Karaiyaadha manamum undoIs there a heart that does not melt?
Aa… karaiyaadha manamum undoAh... is there a heart that does not melt?
Male
Arul mazhai vaarthidumPouring down a rain of grace,
Maa mughilaeO great cloud!
Arul mazhai vaarthidumPouring down a rain of grace,
Maa mughilaeO great cloud!
Adaikkalam undhan poonghazhalaeYour flower-like feet are my refuge.
Female
Irul vazhi meviyaTraversing through the dark path,
Saei enakkuFor me, the child,
Inaiyadi thaanae kai vilakkuYour pair of feet alone is the guiding lamp in my hand.
Male
Thaamarai thaalYour lotus feet,
Thozhudhen azhudhenI worshipped and wept.
Female
Naaloru dhisaiyaaghaWandering in a different direction each day,
Naan alainadhenI roamed aimlessly.
Dhinam ezhai paadum paadal kettuUpon hearing the song sung daily by a poor soul,
Male
Karaiyaadha manamum undoIs there a heart that does not melt?
Aa… karaiyaadha manamum undoAh... is there a heart that does not melt?
Female
Dhinam ezhai paadumDaily, the poor soul's
Paadal kettuSong, upon hearing,
Male
Karaiyaadha manamum undoIs there a heart that does not melt?
Aa… karaiyaadha manamum undoAh... is there a heart that does not melt?
Male
Aaa….aa….aa….aaa….aa…Aaa….aa….aa….aaa….aa…
Aaa….aa….aa….aa….Aaa….aa….aa….aa….
Aa…aaa….aa..Aa…aaa….aa..
Aaa…aa…aa..Aaa…aa…aa..
Male
Moovarum dhevarumPraised by the Trinity and the gods,
Yaavarum potridumAnd worshipped by everyone,
Kaaval dheivamum neeyaeYou are the protecting deity!
Poo vizhi paarthidaTo gaze with flower-like eyes,
Punnagai vaarthidaTo offer a gentle smile,
Koodida nee varuvaayaeWill you come to unite with me?
Female
Paavalar naavilumOn the tongue of poets,
Panghaiyar poovilumAnd in the flower-like beauty of women,
Maevidum aanandha thaenaeYou are the joy-filled honey that resides!
Female
Sevadi naadidumSeeking your holy red feet,
Sindhugal paadidumSinging classical verses,
Paavaiyum unnadi thaanaeThis maiden too belongs at your feet.
Male
Unadharul vendiSeeking your grace,
Isaippavan naanaeI am the one playing music.
Female :Anal mezhugaaghaFemale: Like wax placed near a flame,
Urugi nindrenaeI stood melting away.
Male
Inghae nin manam ennaHere, what is your heart made of?
Kallo kar chilaiyoIs it stone, or a sculpture carved from rock?
Female :Ingae naan dhinam vaadaFemale: For me to suffer and wither here daily,
Sariyo sammadhamoIs it right? Do you consent to this?
Dhinam ezhai paadum paadal kettuUpon hearing the song sung daily by a poor soul,
Male
Karaiyaadha manamum undoIs there a heart that does not melt?
Aa… karaiyaadha manamum undoAh... is there a heart that does not melt?
Dhinam ezhai paadum paadal kettuUpon hearing the song sung daily by a poor soul,
Female
Karaiyaadha manamum undoIs there a heart that does not melt?
Aa… karaiyaadha manamum undo…Ah... is there a heart that does not melt...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Karaiyaadha Manamum Undo from the 1989 Tamil film Varusham Padhinaaru is an emotionally charged, devotional-style plea written by Vaali and composed by Ilaiyaraaja. The protagonist pours out her anguish to her beloved, questioning how any heart could remain unmoving when faced with such sincere sorrow. She compares her beloved to a divine protector and a rain-bearing cloud capable of showering mercy, surrendering completely at their feet as a guiding light through life's dark turns. As the song progresses, the emotional vulnerability deepens with vivid imagery of melting like wax before a flame. She questions whether the beloved's heart has turned into cold stone to ignore her daily anguish. Ultimately, the song serves as a poignant expression of unconditional devotion, longing, and the yearning for emotional connection.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

Arul mazhai vaarthidum Maa mughilae

Compares the beloved/deity to a great cloud ('Maa mughilae') that pours down a rain of grace ('Arul mazhai').

Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

Inaiyadi thaanae kai vilakku

Compares the beloved's feet to a hand-held lantern ('Kai vilakku') guiding the speaker through darkness.

Simile (Uvamai)

Anal mezhugaagha Urugi nindrenae

Compares the speaker's helpless melting state to wax melting near a flame ('Anal mezhugaagha').

Rhetorical Question

Karaiyaadha manamum undo

Asks whether any heart exists that wouldn't melt, emphasizing the emotional intensity of the song.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although listed as Unknown in some archives, the song was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja for the superhit film 'Varusham Padhinaaru' (1989), directed by Fazil. The track was sung by K. J. Yesudas and K. S. Chithra, set predominantly in the Carnatic raga Keeravani, which is renowned for evoking deep devotion and sorrow.

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