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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Karumbana En Vazhvu

From Ponnu Vilaiyum Boomi · 1959

Lyricist
A. Maruthakasi
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
K. H. Reddy
Details
Ponnu Vilaiyum Boomi1959

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Haaa..aaa..aaa..aaa…Ah... ah... ah... ah...
Karmumbaana en vaazhvu vembaanadhaeMy life, which was sweet like sugarcane, has become bitter and ruined.
Kadhaiyaagi kanavaagi kaanalaanadhaeIt has become a story, a dream, and a mirage.
Karmumbaana en vaazhvu vembaanadhaeMy life, which was sweet like sugarcane, has become bitter and ruined.
Kadhaiyaagi kanavaagi kaanalaanadhaeIt has become a story, a dream, and a mirage.
Female
Arumbaana aasaigal malaraagum naalilOn the day when my budding desires were set to bloom into flowers,
Virumbaadha puyal vandhadhenoWhy did an unwanted storm strike?
Arumbaana aasaigal malaraagum naalilOn the day when my budding desires were set to bloom into flowers,
Virumbaadha puyal vandhadhenoWhy did an unwanted storm strike?
Thirumbaadho inbam theeraadho thunbamWill happiness not return? Will sorrow never end?
Thirumbaadho inbam theeraadho thunbamWill happiness not return? Will sorrow never end?
Dhisai maarum padagaanen karai kaanbaenoI have become a boat changing directions; will I ever reach the shore?
Female
Karmumbaana en vaazhvu vembaanadhaeMy life, which was sweet like sugarcane, has become bitter and ruined.
Kadhaiyaagi kanavaagi kaanalaanadhaeIt has become a story, a dream, and a mirage.
Female
Nilaiyaana selvamae vilaiyaadum deivamaeO eternal treasure, O playful deity,
Nee engae …un thandhai engaeWhere are you... where is your father?
Nilaiyaana selvamae vilaiyaadum deivamaeO eternal treasure, O playful deity,
Nee engae un thandhai engaeWhere are you, where is your father?
Mazhaiyindri vaadum payiraanen ingaeI have become a crop wilting without rain here.
Mazhaiyindri vaadum payiraanen ingaeI have become a crop wilting without rain here.
Alai modhum kadal aanen nilai kaanbaenoI have become a wave-tossed sea; will I ever find stability?
Female
Karmumbaana en vaazhvu vembaanadhaeMy life, which was sweet like sugarcane, has become bitter and ruined.
Kadhaiyaagi kanavaagi kaanalaanadhaeIt has become a story, a dream, and a mirage.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant song expresses profound grief and tragic despair. The protagonist mourns how her life, once full of sweet promise like sugarcane, has unexpectedly turned bitter and collapsed into a mirage. Just as her dreams were beginning to blossom, an unwanted storm destroyed her happiness, leaving her stranded in grief.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagathani)

Karmumbaana en vaazhvu vembaanadhae

Compares her life to sweet sugarcane ('Karmumbu') that turned bitter ('Vembu') and her current self to a directionless boat ('Dhisai maarum padagu') and a wilting crop ('Mazhaiyindri vaadum payir').

Edhugai (Second letter rhyming)

Arumbaana aasaigal malaraagum naalil / Virumbaadha puyal vandhadheno

The second letter consonant harmony 'ru' in 'Arumbaana' and 'Virumbaadha' creates a rhythmic poetic flow.

Moonaam/Monai (Alliteration)

Thirumbaadho inbam theeraadho thunbam

Initial letter alliteration ('Thi') between 'Thirumbaadho' and 'Theeraadho'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Featured in the 1959 film 'Ponnu Vilaiyum Boomi', this song is a classic sorrowful composition written by A. Maruthakasi and scored by K. H. Reddy. P. Susheela's expressive vocals powerfully evoke the pathos of a tragic turning point in the movie's narrative.

Keep listening

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