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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Mugam Partha Kannadi

From Avasarakkari · 1981

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Avasarakkari1981

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Mugam paarththa kannaadi…ee….ee…The mirror that once reflected the face...
Mugam paarththa kannaadi…The mirror that once reflected the face...
Rasam ponathu eppothuWhen did its silver coating wear away?
Uravaana kadhal nenilIn the heart where love became a bond,
Pirivenna ippothu….oo….ooo….Why is there separation now?
Male
Mugam paarththa kannaadi…The mirror that once reflected the face...
Rasam ponathu eppothuWhen did its silver coating wear away?
Uravaana kadhal nenilIn the heart where love became a bond,
Pirivenna ippothu….oo….ooo….Why is there separation now?
Male
Kadhalukku jaadhi enna pedham ennadiWhat caste or discrimination matters to love, my dear?
Kadhalukku jaadhi enna pedham ennadiWhat caste or discrimination matters to love, my dear?
Oru naal uravil kalanthaalOne day she merged in a loving relationship,
Maru naal ennaiyae pirinthaalThe very next day she separated from me.
Oru naal uravil kalanthaalOne day she merged in a loving relationship,
Maru naal ennaiyae pirinthaalThe very next day she separated from me.
Male
Mugam paarththa kannaadi…The mirror that once reflected the face...
Rasam ponathu eppothuWhen did its silver coating wear away?
Uravaana kadhal nenilIn the heart where love became a bond,
Pirivenna ippothu….oo….ooo….Why is there separation now?
Male
Vasanthathin rojappooThe rose of springtime...
Aa….aa….aa….aa….Ah...
Vasanthathin rojappooThe rose of springtime...
Sarugaai udhirum karugumSheds as dry withered leaves and burns,
Ilai udhirkaalam vanthatho….oo….Has autumn arrived now?
Male
Vasanthathin rojappooThe rose of springtime...
Sarugaai udhirum karugumSheds as dry withered leaves and burns,
Ilai udhirkaalam vanthatho….oo….Has autumn arrived now?
Male
Sariyo thavaro oru naal kalanthomRight or wrong, one day we united,
Ulagam muzhuthum adhilae maranthomWe forgot the entire world in that moment.
Adhu indru poiyaai ponathoHas that turned into a lie today?
Naan kandra kanavu endru ellaam aanathoHas everything become just a dream I saw?
Male
Mugam paarththa kannaadi…The mirror that once reflected the face...
Rasam ponathu eppothuWhen did its silver coating wear away?
Uravaana kadhal nenilIn the heart where love became a bond,
Pirivenna ippothu….oo….ooo….Why is there separation now?
Male
Kadhalukku jaadhi enna pedham ennadiWhat caste or discrimination matters to love, my dear?
Kadhalukku jaadhi enna pedham ennadiWhat caste or discrimination matters to love, my dear?
Male
Vizhi sinthum kanneero…oo….ooo….oo….The tears shed by the eyes...
Vizhi sinthum kanneero…The tears shed by the eyes...
Mazhai pol dhinamum pozhiyumPours daily like rain,
Unakku indru panneeraanathoHas it become scented rosewater to you today?
Male
Vizhi sinthum kanneero…The tears shed by the eyes...
Mazhai pol dhinamum pozhiyumPours daily like rain,
Unakku indru panneeraanathoHas it become scented rosewater to you today?
Male
Kadalil amaithi oru naal varalaamPeace might come to the ocean one day,
Manathil amaithi inimel varumoWill peace ever come to the mind hereafter?
Badhil enna kannae solladiWhat is the answer, my dear, tell me,
Vaazhvukku ini enna arththam solladiWhat is the meaning of life anymore, tell me.
Male
Mugam paarththa kannaadi…The mirror that once reflected the face...
Rasam ponathu eppothuWhen did its silver coating wear away?
Uravaana kadhal nenilIn the heart where love became a bond,
Pirivenna ippothu….oo….ooo….Why is there separation now?
Male
Kadhalukku jaadhi enna pedham ennadiWhat caste or discrimination matters to love, my dear?
Kadhalukku jaadhi enna pedham ennadiWhat caste or discrimination matters to love, my dear?
Male
Oru naal uravil kalanthaalOne day she merged in a loving relationship,
Maru naal ennaiyae pirinthaalThe very next day she separated from me.
Oru naal uravil kalanthaalOne day she merged in a loving relationship,
Maru naal ennaiyae pirinthaal…The very next day she separated from me...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant song expresses the agony of heartbreak, betrayal, and social barriers standing in the way of true love. The protagonist uses the metaphor of a mirror losing its reflective coating to depict how a once-vibrant relationship has suddenly lost its beauty and meaning. He questions why societal divisions like caste should tear apart two souls who were deeply united, lamenting the sudden transition from joy to sorrow as if springtime blossoms turned instantly into dry, withered leaves.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

Mugam paarththa kannaadi... Rasam ponathu eppothu

Comparing the heartbreak and loss of beauty in the relationship to a mirror losing its reflective backing (rasam ponathu).

Simile (Uwamai)

Mazhai pol dhinamum pozhiyum

Comparing tears continuously falling to the pouring rain.

Contrast / Antithesis (Muran)

Vasanthathin rojappoo Sarugaai udhirum karugum

Contrasting 'spring rose' (vasanthathin rojappoo) with 'withered dry leaf' (sarugaai udhirum) to illustrate sudden emotional decline.

Rhetorical Question

Kadhalukku jaadhi enna pedham ennadi

Questioning societal norms surrounding love and caste differences.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by renowned Tamil poet and lyricist Pulamaipithan for the 1981 film 'Avasarakkari', the song touches upon deep social commentary regarding caste distinctions disrupting romantic relationships, a recurring theme in 1980s Tamil cinema.

Keep listening

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