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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Kizhakku Paravai

From Thisai Maariya Paravaigal · 1979

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Thisai Maariya Paravaigal1979

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kizhakku paravai merkkil parakkuthuThe eastern bird flies towards the west
Adhu kizhakku vaanai marakka paarkkuthuIt tries to forget its eastern sky
Kizhakku paravai merkkil parakkuthuThe eastern bird flies towards the west
Adhu kizhakku vaanai marakka paarkkuthuIt tries to forget its eastern sky
Male
Thanakkena oru maarkkam ullathuIt has a path of its own
Adhu samayam paarththu maarivittathuIt changed its course opportunely with time
Kaarirul theduthu nilavaiThe pitch darkness searches for the moon
Adhu dhisai maariya paravaiIt is a bird that has lost or changed its direction
Kaarirul theduthu nilavaiThe pitch darkness searches for the moon
Adhu dhisai maariya paravaiIt is a bird that has lost or changed its direction
Male
Kaveri enna kollidam ennaWhether it is Kaveri or Kollidam
Veru nadhigal allaThey are not entirely different rivers
Vella maari varuvathallaThey do not flow as separate distinct floods
Entha kovilil sendru vanaginaalumWhichever temple one goes to worship at
Aandavan per sollaIt is to utter the name of the Almighty
Verum bedhangal thannai vellaTo overcome mere human differences
Male
Kaarirul theduthu nilavaiThe pitch darkness searches for the moon
Adhu dhisai maariya paravaiIt is a bird that has lost or changed its direction
Male
Vaazhvu illai enbatharkkuTo signify that there is no worldly life left
Vellai aadai anivaalShe dons white attire
Adhai hindu pennum arivaalEven a Hindu woman understands this well
Vaazhvu illai enbatharkkuTo signify that there is no worldly life left
Vellai aadai anivaalShe dons white attire
Adhai hindu pennum arivaalEven a Hindu woman understands this well
Male
Than inba vaazhvai thiyaagam seithuSacrificing her own blissful life
Pirarukkaaga vaazhvaalShe lives for the sake of others
Oru thavarillaamal vaazhvaalShe lives impeccably without any flaw
Male
Kaarirul theduthu nilavaiThe pitch darkness searches for the moon
Adhu dhisai maariya paravaiIt is a bird that has lost or changed its direction
Male
Kizhakkil udhikkum sooriyanaeThe sun that rises in the east
Merkkil sendru maraivaanGoes and sets in the west
Avan irandu dhisaiyum arivaanIt knows both directions well
Kizhakkil udhikkum sooriyanaeThe sun that rises in the east
Merkkil sendru maraivaanGoes and sets in the west
Avan irandu dhisaiyum arivaanIt knows both directions well
Male
Entha mathaththil ulla manithan koodaWhatever religion a human being belongs to
Mandiyittu thozhuvaanThey kneel down in prayer
Antha kartharthaanae bhagavaanThat Lord Creator is indeed God
Male
Kizhakku paravai merkkil parakkuthuThe eastern bird flies towards the west
Adhu kizhakku vaanai marakka paarkkuthuIt tries to forget its eastern sky
Male
Thanakkena oru maarkkam ullathuIt has a path of its own
Adhu samayam paarththu maarivittathuIt changed its course opportunely with time
Kaarirul theduthu nilavaiThe pitch darkness searches for the moon
Adhu dhisai maariya paravai…It is a bird that has lost or changed its direction

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This soulful philosophical track from 'Thisai Maariya Paravaigal' uses the allegory of a bird changing its flight direction from East to West to reflect upon cross-cultural choices, religious harmony, and selfless sacrifice. Through poetic metaphors, Kannadasan draws parallels between rivers flowing into the same sea, Christian nuns wearing white juxtaposed with Hindu traditions of renunciation, and the sun spanning both the eastern and western skies. The song highlights that beyond religious and cultural boundaries, God is one, and true nobility lies in living selflessly for others.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Kizhakku paravai merkkil parakkuthu

The 'eastern bird flying west' serves as a central metaphor for a person transitioning between cultures, religions, or paths in life.

Contrast / Imagery

Kaarirul theduthu nilavai

The image of deep darkness seeking the moon represents a soul searching for hope, illumination, or truth amidst confusion.

Ethukai (Second-letter rhyme)

Kizhakku paravai merkkil parakkuthu

The second letter 'zha' (ழ) rhymes across lines in 'Kizhakku' and 'Azhaghu' / structural rhythmic patterns.

Analogy

Kaveri enna kollidam enna

The rivers Kaveri and Kollidam are compared to demonstrate unity in diversity; though named differently, they belong to the same waters.

Did you know?

Trivia

Directed by S. A. Chandrasekhar, 'Thisai Maariya Paravaigal' was a acclaimed movie dealing with themes of social reform and inter-caste/inter-faith adoption. The movie won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Film, and Kannadasan's lyrics in this song are widely praised for their interfaith unity message.

Keep listening

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