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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Mayajala Ulaga Vinotham

From Thalaivasal · 1992

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
Bala Bharathi
Music director
Bala Bharathi
Details
Thalaivasal1992

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Indha ootha udalil uyir irunthaAs long as life remains in this fragile body,
Ulagil unakku sondhamYou have relations and possessions in this world.
Uyir udalai vittu pogaiyilaeWhen life departs from the body,
Unakku yedhu bandhamWhat bond do you truly have left?
Male
Maayajaala ulagam vinodhamThis world of magical illusion is strange,
Nenja ulukkuthamma paazhum mayaanamThis wretched graveyard shakes my heart, oh mother.
Maayajaala ulagam vinodhamThis world of magical illusion is strange,
Nenja ulukkuthamma paazhum mayaanamThis wretched graveyard shakes my heart, oh mother.
Male
Pirivu oru iravuSeparation is like a dark night,
Adhu manasu kaanum thuravuIt is the renunciation experienced by the mind.
Pirivu oru iravuSeparation is like a dark night,
Adhu manasu kaanum thuravuIt is the renunciation experienced by the mind.
Ingu paadaiyilae poguthammaHere, carried away on a funeral bier,
Nammalodu uravuGoes our relationship.
Male
Maayajaala ulagam vinodhamThis world of magical illusion is strange,
Nenja ulukkuthamma paazhum mayaanamThis wretched graveyard shakes my heart, oh mother.
Maayajaala ulagam vinodhamThis world of magical illusion is strange,
Nenja ulukkuthamma paazhum mayaanamThis wretched graveyard shakes my heart, oh mother.
Chorus
…………………………
Male
Udalu ulla uyiruLife inside the body,
Idhu kadavuloda payiru…uu…uu…Is a crop sown by God...
Udalu uulla uyiru idhu kadavuloda payiruLife inside the body is a crop sown by God,
Idha sambalaakka koluthum bodhuWhen it is burned down to ashes,
Eriyuthamma vayiruMy stomach burns in unbearable grief, oh mother.
Male
Maayajaala ulagam vinodhamThis world of magical illusion is strange,
Nenja ulukkuthamma paazhum mayaanamThis wretched graveyard shakes my heart, oh mother.
Maayajaala ulagam vinodhamThis world of magical illusion is strange,
Nenja ulukkuthamma paazhum mayaanamThis wretched graveyard shakes my heart, oh mother.
Male
Maayajaala ulaga vinodhamThe strangeness of this illusory world,
Nenja ulukkuthamma paazhum mayaanamThis wretched graveyard shakes my heart, oh mother.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant philosophical track from Thalaivasal (1992) reflects on the impermanence of human existence, mortality, and the illusion of worldly attachments. The song emphasizes that all human relationships and material bonds endure only as long as life inhabits the physical body. The moment death arrives, all ties dissolve, leaving behind nothing but the stark reality of the cremation ground. Through vivid imagery, lyricist Vairamuthu depicts life as a crop nurtured by God, which ultimately burns into ashes, leaving the living in deep sorrow and highlighting the inescapable truth of death.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Udalu uulla uyiru idhu kadavuloda payiru

Human life residing within the physical body is directly compared to a crop cultivated by God.

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Pirivu oru iravu

The pain of separation brought by death is metaphorically equated to an inescapable dark night.

Idiomatic Expression (Vayiru Eriyudhu)

Eriyuthamma vayiru

The phrase 'Eriyuthamma vayiru' uses a common Tamil idiom denoting intense sorrow and emotional anguish.

Did you know?

Trivia

Thalaivasal (1992) was the directorial debut of director Selva. The film's musical score was composed by Bala Bharathi, who also personally lent his vocal performance to this grief-stricken funeral song written by Vairamuthu.

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