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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Megangale Parungalen

From Santhosa Kanavugal · 1985

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, P. Susheela
Music director
Shyam
Details
Santhosa Kanavugal1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Megangalae …paarungalenOh clouds, please look at us
Andhiyilae sooriyanaamA sun appearing at dusk
Asthamanam vaigaraiyaamSunset becoming the dawn
Engal vaazhvilae… engal vaazhvilaeIn our lives... in our lives
Male
Megangalae ..paarungalenOh clouds, please look at us
Andhiyilae sooriyanaamA sun appearing at dusk
Asthamanam vaigaraiyaamSunset becoming the dawn
Engal vaazhvilae… engal vaazhvilaeIn our lives... in our lives
Male
Nenjam ondrae ulladhuThere is only one heart
Ninaivugal angae aayiramBut there are a thousand memories in it
Kangal rendae ulladhuThere are only two eyes
Kanavugal anagae aayiramBut there are a thousand dreams in them
Male
Nenjil ulla aasaigalThe desires present in the heart
Ponnil seidha oosigalAre like needles made of gold
Ponnin oosi kannil kaayam seidhadhuThe golden needle wounded the eyes
Yaarai novadhu …yaarai novadhuWhom to blame... whom to blame
Female
Megangalae ..paarungalenOh clouds, please look at us
Andhiyilae sooriyanaamA sun appearing at dusk
Asthamanam vaigaraiyaamSunset becoming the dawn
Engal vaazhvilae… engal vaazhvilaeIn our lives... in our lives
Female
Oomaikellam raagamaCan there be melody for the mute?
Adharkkoru pakka melamaCan there be musical accompaniment for that?
Kaanal neeril odamaCan a boat sail in a mirage?
Karaiyil sendru serumaWill it ever reach the shore?
Female
Kangal rendum ponadhuBoth eyes are lost
Kadhai ennavanadhuWhat has happened to our story?
Kaalam ennum devan thandha thandanaiThis is a punishment given by the god called Time
Iniyaen sindhanai… iniyaen sindhanaiWhy contemplate anymore... why contemplate anymore?
Male
Megangalae ..paarungalenOh clouds, please look at us
Both :Andhiyilae sooriyanaamA sun appearing at dusk
Asthamanam vaigaraiyaamSunset becoming the dawn
Engal vaazhvilae… engal vaazhvilaeIn our lives... in our lives

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Megangalae Paarungalen' from Santhosa Kanavugal (1985) is a deeply emotional lament about grief, disillusionment, and tragic fate. The protagonists call upon the clouds to witness the inverted reality of their lives, where dusk feels like dawn and twilight brings no resolution. Despite having only one heart and two eyes, they are overwhelmed by thousands of haunting memories and broken dreams that inflict pain rather than joy. Using vivid imagery such as a golden needle piercing the eye or a boat trying to cross a mirage, lyricist Pulamaipithan captures the impossibility of their happiness and their ultimate resignation to the harsh punishments of time.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Paradox / Irony

Asthamanam vaigaraiyaam

Equating sunset (astamanam) with dawn (vaigarai) to emphasize the inverted, unnatural state of despair in their lives.

Metaphor

Ponnil seidha oosigal

Describing desires as golden needles ('Ponnil seidha oosigal') which sound precious but end up causing deep injury to the eyes/vision.

Rhetorical Question

Kaanal neeril odama Karaiyil sendru seruma

Asking if a boat can sail in a mirage to express the absolute impossibility and futility of their hopes.

Personification

Kaalam ennum devan thandha thandanai

Addressing time as a divine entity/god ('Kaalam ennum devan') who actively doles out cruel punishment.

Did you know?

Trivia

Santhosa Kanavugal (1985) features music by Shyam, a highly respected composer who worked extensively in both Malayalam and Tamil cinema during the late 70s and 80s. Lyricist Pulamaipithan, known for his classical mastery and philosophical depth, penned these poignant lines capturing emotional turmoil through vivid, contrasting imagery.

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