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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Koodi Vantha Megam

From Rani Theni · 1982

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
Malaysia Vasudevan
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Rani Theni1982

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Koodi vantha megam thesai maari pochchuThe cloud that gathered has changed its direction.
Vaangi vachcha maalai athu naaraa pochchuThe garland bought has turned into mere fiber.
Koodi vantha megam thesai maari pochchuThe cloud that gathered has changed its direction.
Vaangi vachcha maalai athu naaraa pochchuThe garland bought has turned into mere fiber.
Male
Engae antha saamiWhere is that God?
Idhu pollaathavan bhoomiThis world belongs to the wicked.
Jeyilukkullaae intha chinnakiliThis little parrot is inside the prison.
Athan serakodichhcaa ini enna vazhiIf its wing is broken, what is the way now?
Male
Koodi vantha megam thesai maari pochchuThe cloud that gathered has changed its direction.
Vaangi vachcha maalai athu naaraa pochchuThe garland bought has turned into mere fiber.
Male
Pombala poova parichchaa thappillayaaIs it not a crime to pluck a woman who is like a flower?
Aambala jaathi unakku karpillaiyaaOh male gender, do you not have chastity?
Pombala poova parichchaa thappillayaaIs it not a crime to pluck a woman who is like a flower?
Aambala jaathi unakku karpillaiyaaOh male gender, do you not have chastity?
Male
Paadhaththil mullu thachchaa azhavathu kanthaanaeIf a thorn pricks the foot, it is the eye that cries.
Aanukku veri piduchchaa azhivathu penthaanaeIf a man becomes lustful, it is the woman who gets destroyed.
Paavam santhana maram aduperikka sonnaanaeAlas, he asked to burn the fragrant sandalwood tree in a hearth.
Male
Koodi vantha megam thesai maari pochchuThe cloud that gathered has changed its direction.
Vaangi vachcha maalai athu naaraa pochchuThe garland bought has turned into mere fiber.
Male
Engae antha saamiWhere is that God?
Idhu pollaathavan bhoomiThis world belongs to the wicked.
Jeyilukkullaae intha chinnakiliThis little parrot is inside the prison.
Athan serakodichhcaa ini enna vazhiIf its wing is broken, what is the way now?
Male
Naanam ennum vaeli ennaananthuWhat became of the protective fence named modesty?
Kanneer sinthi kannam punnaanathuShedding tears, the cheek has turned into a wound.
Naanam ennum vaeli ennaananthuWhat became of the protective fence named modesty?
Kanneer sinthi kannam punnaanathuShedding tears, the cheek has turned into a wound.
Male
Agaligai saabamingae ennaikkum theeraathoWill the curse of Ahalya never end in this world?
Varam tharum raamanumae kallaa ponaanaoHas Lord Rama, who grants boons, himself turned into stone?
Poovil vandu vizhunthaalIf a beetle falls upon a flower,
Thendralum vanthu theendaatho….Will not even the gentle breeze touch it?
Male
Koodi vantha megam thesai maari pochchuThe cloud that gathered has changed its direction.
Vaangi vachcha maalai athu naaraa pochchuThe garland bought has turned into mere fiber.
Male
Engae antha saamiWhere is that God?
Idhu pollaathavan bhoomiThis world belongs to the wicked.
Jeyilukkullaae intha chinnakiliThis little parrot is inside the prison.
Athan serakodichhcaa ini enna vazhiIf its wing is broken, what is the way now?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant song conveys the deep despair and sense of injustice felt by an innocent woman suffering due to the cruelty of society and male hypocrisy. She compares her situation to a gather of promising clouds drifting away, a sacred garland deteriorating into bare string, and a little bird trapped in a prison with broken wings. Through powerful imagery, she questions why society imposes moral standards solely on women while pardoning male misconduct, ultimately calling out divine indifference in a world dominated by evil.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Jeyilukkullaae intha chinnakili

Compares the innocent woman to a little bird ('chinnakili') trapped in prison, symbolizing helplessness and loss of freedom.

Alliteration (Moonaai)

Pombala poova parichchaa thappillayaa

Repetition of the 'P' consonant sound in 'Pombala', 'poova', and 'parichchaa'.

Mythological Allusion

Agaligai saabamingae ennaikkum theeraatho / Varam tharum raamanumae kallaa ponaanao

Refers to the Ramayana story of Ahalya who was turned into stone by a curse and redeemed by Rama, using it to question why modern suffering finds no divine savior.

Analogy / Parallelism

Paadhaththil mullu thachchaa azhavathu kanthaanae / Aanukku veri piduchchaa azhivathu penthaanae

Draws a vivid contrast between physical pain (thorn in the foot causing tears in the eye) and systemic gendered destruction (man's lust destroying a woman's life).

Did you know?

Trivia

Rani Theni is a 1982 Tamil movie directed by P. Bharathiraja. Although listed as unknown in the prompt, the iconic soundtrack was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics written by Vairamuthu and vocals rendered by S. Janaki.

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