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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Manida Vazhvidhuve

From Asai Magan · 1953

Lyricist
Kuyilan
Singer
Nithyashree Mahadevan
Music director
V. Dakshinamurthy
Details
Asai Magan1953

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Maanida vaazhvidhuvaeThis is human life,
Maranam ananam vaiyaga niyamamDeath and birth are the law of the world.
Female
Maanida vaazhvidhuvaeThis is human life,
Maranam ananam vaiyaga niyamamDeath and birth are the law of the world.
Female
Karugidum udal munBefore the body turns to ashes,
Azhuthidum maganaeO weeping son,
Kanneeraalae un babam vidumoWill your tears wash away your sin?
Thanthai vaazhvil nanjaai vanthaaiYou came like poison into your father's life,
Thanayan ennum kadamai maranthaaiYou forgot your duty as a son.
Neeyoru maanidanoAre you truly a human being?
Female
Jananaththaalae aasaigal ingaeThrough birth, desires arise here,
Maranaththaalae niraasai angaeThrough death, disillusionment awaits there.
Vesi valaiyil veezhum manithaaO man who falls into the net of temptation,
Mosam adaivaai veenae azhivaaiYou will be deceived and perish in vain.
Female
Maanida vaazhvidhuvaeThis is human life,
Maranam ananam vaiyaga niyamamDeath and birth are the law of the world.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a deeply philosophical and moralistic reflection on the transience of human existence and the inescapable consequences of unrighteous actions. It serves as a stern reprimand to a son who betrayed his filial duties, brought ruin into his father's life, and succumbed to destructive worldly temptations. The lyricist warns that mere tears cannot cleanse the weight of sin once moral boundary lines are crossed. By contrasting the worldly desires brought by birth with the ultimate disillusionment brought by death, the verse reminds humanity of the universal cosmic law. It cautions individuals against chasing fleeting vices that inevitably lead to self-destruction.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Vesi valaiyil veezhum manithaa

The repetition of the initial consonant 'V' sound in 'Vesi', 'valaiyil', and 'veezhum' creates a rhythmic emphasis on the theme of falling into temptation.

Antithesis (Muran)

Jananaththaalae aasaigal ingae / Maranaththaalae niraasai angae

Juxtaposition of birth (Jananaththaalae) versus death (Maranaththaalae), and desires (aasaigal) versus disillusionment (niraasai) to highlight the earthly cycle.

Rhetorical Question

Neeyoru maanidano

The lyricist uses a rhetorical question to challenge the character's humanity and moral conscience after abandoning his duties.

Did you know?

Trivia

Asai Magan (1953) featured lyrics penned by the popular poet Kuyilan, who was known for embedding strong social reform messages and philosophical reflections into film songs during the Golden Era of Tamil cinema.

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