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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Naane Paavi

From Digambara Samiyar · 1950

Lyricist
Ka. Mu. Sheriff
Singer
A. P. Komala
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Details
Digambara Samiyar1950

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Naanae paavi enavae thaanaeIs it justice that the world blames me as a sinner?
Ulagorr pazhi kooruvadhae needhiIs it justice for the world to cast blame on me?
En kaadhal paazhaagumoo vaazhvinilaeWill my love go to waste in my life?
Uyir naadha naam inaiyaavoomaaO lord of my life, will we ever be united?
Female
Haa naanae paaviAh, I am a sinner!
Naanae paavi veenae ulagil thondriWas I born into this world in vain as a sinner...
Thuyar thaan kaanavoo...only to witness relentless sorrow?
Kannilaadhorr vaarthai yaavumWill all these unspoken words of my heart...
Kaadhal naadhan kaetppadho...be heard by the lord of my love?
Paedhai enaiyae yaerppadhoWill he accept me, an innocent maiden?
Naanae paaviI am a sinner.
Female
Naaiyai aruginil saerthaeIn a world that embraces even a dog...
Saeipolae kakkum paarilae...and protects it like a child,
Paavai enaiyae veenilaeYet me, an innocent maiden, in vain...
Ariyaar seivaar perum kaeliyae...ignorant people make great mockery of.
Female
Theedhu naanariyaenI know no evil.
Theedhu naanariyaenI know no evil.
En maadha seidha pazhiaye kooridumThey blame me for the sins committed by my mother.
Kannilaadhorr vaarthai yaavumWill all these unspoken words of my heart...
Kaadhal naadhan kaetppadho...be heard by the lord of my love?
Paedhai enaiyae yaerppadhoWill he accept me, an innocent maiden?
Naanae paaviI am a sinner.
Female
Kalangam maevum venmadhi vaanmeedhaeThey watch the silver moon grow in the sky despite its spots,
Valardhal kaangiraarThey willingly see it wax and shine,
Oodhillaa siru paavaiyae mannmeedhuYet an unblemished young girl on this earth,
Vaazhdhal yerkilaarThey refuse to accept her living.
Female
Kaatril megamLike a cloud in the wind...
Kaatril megam polae ullamLike a cloud floating in the wind, my heart...
Maevi ingae vaazhndhidum...wishes to reside and live here peacefully.
Kannilaadhorr vaarthai yaavumWill all these unspoken words of my heart...
Kaadhal naadhan kaetppadho...be heard by the lord of my love?
Paedhai enaiyae yaerppadhoWill he accept me, an innocent maiden?
Naanae paaviI am a sinner.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant lamentation from the 1950 movie Digambara Samiyar expresses the deep anguish of a young woman who is unjustly ostracized and blamed by society for sins she did not commit—specifically the misdeeds attributed to her mother. She questions the morality of a world that readily accepts a flawed moon in the sky or protects an animal like a child, yet shows no empathy toward an innocent maiden trying to live peacefully. Through heartfelt rhetorical questions, she wonders if the lord of her heart will ever hear her silent cries and accept her despite the unfair social stigma attached to her name. The song highlights themes of innocence, social prejudice, and longing for true love and acceptance.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Kaatril megam polae ullam

Compares the restless and gentle nature of the heart to a cloud drifting in the wind ('Kaatril megam polae').

Contrast / Antithesis (Muran)

Kalangam maevum venmadhi vaanmeedhae... Oodhillaa siru paavaiyae mannmeedhu

Contrasts society's acceptance of a flawed moon in the sky ('Kalangam maevum venmadhi') with its cruelty toward an innocent, unblemished girl on earth ('Oodhillaa siru paavaiyae').

Second-Letter Rhyme (Edhugai)

Naaiyai aruginil saerthae / Saeipolae kakkum paarilae / Paavai enaiyae veenilae

The second consonant sound 'i' matches across lines ('Naaiyai', 'Saeipolae', 'Paavai').

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Trivia

Digambara Samiyar (1950) was a popular Tamil mystery-thriller film based on Vaduvoor K. Duraiswamy Iyengar's famous novel. The film's soundtrack composed by G. Ramanathan featured classic melodies, with singer A. P. Komala delivering a memorable emotional performance in this track.

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