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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kasukku Kadai Virippal

From Unarchigal · 1976

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
Shyam
Music director
Shyam
Details
Unarchigal1976

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kasukku kadai virippaalShe opens a shop for money,
Adhil kadhalai adagu vaippaalIn it, she pawns her love.
Aasaiyai mudiththu vittaal thannaiOnce his desire is satisfied,
Aadaiyil moodi kolvaanHe covers himself back up in clothes.
Male
Uravukku orvarillai avalShe has no one to call her family,
Urimaikku thunaivan illaiShe has no companion to support her rights.
Iravukku palar irunthaarThere were many men for the night,
Aval idhayaththil evarumillaiYet there was no one in her heart.
Male
Avalo anbukku yaengi nindraalShe stood there longing for affection,
Avano udalukku aasai vaiththaanWhile he lusted only for her body.
Udalai padaiththavanae unathu leelai idhuOh Creator of the body, this is your play;
Unnaasaiyaa….pennaasaiyaa….Is it your desire... a woman's desire...
Mannaasaiyaa…..manithan aasaigal…..Desire for worldly things... human desires...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This tragic song reflects on the life of a woman driven into prostitution and the hypocrisy of human desire. It paints a painful contrast between physical gratification and emotional fulfillment, highlighting how men use her body for the night while leaving her heart completely empty and longing for genuine love. Kannadasan questions the Almighty, asking why the Creator designed such complex and destructive desires within human beings.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Kasukku kadai virippaal / Adhil kadhalai adagu vaippaal

Pawning love in a shop set up for money metaphors the tragic commercialization of intimate emotions.

Antithesis

Iravukku palar irunthaar / Aval idhayaththil evarumillai

Contrasts the crowd of men present physically at night with the complete emptiness of her heart.

Etukai (Monai/Rhyme)

Uravukku orvarillai aval / Urimaikku thunaivan illai

Tamil poetic rhyme device where second letters/sounds align across lines (ra in Uravukku, Urimaikku, Iravukku).

Rhetorical Question

Unnaasaiyaa….pennaasaiyaa…. Mannaasaiyaa…..manithan aasaigal…..

The lyricist directly addresses the divine, questioning the ultimate origin and nature of human desires.

Did you know?

Trivia

Unarchigal (1976) was a pioneering film starring Kamal Haasan that dealt with bold and controversial subjects for its era, including sex education and human relationships.

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