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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nenjil Ulla Kaayam

From Rishi Moolam · 1980

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
Jayachandran
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Rishi Moolam1980

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Nenjil ulla kaayam ondruA wound inside the heart
Nenjai vittu theerndhadhuHas finally left the heart
Ennai indru naanae kaanaFor me to see myself today
Naeram vandhu saerndhadhu….The time has finally arrived...
Male
Nenjil ulla kaayam ondruA wound inside the heart
Nenjai vittu theerndhadhuHas finally left the heart
Male
Poojaikkaana dhaevanaeOh Lord who is worshipped
Poovil yaeri aadinaalIf she danced upon the flower
Poojai seiyum yaarumaeAnyone who performs the worship
Kobam kollal needhiyaeIs it not just for them to feel angry?
Sondham konda endhan deviMy wife who claimed her rights
Sonna vaarthai nyaayamaeWhat she said is completely fair
Punidham neeril vandhadhaePurity arrived through water
Nadhiyin moolam allavaa…Is that not the origin of the river...
Male
Nenjil ulla kaayam ondruA wound inside the heart
Nenjai vittu theerndhadhuHas finally left the heart
Male
Thaayin paavamThe mother's sin
Pillaiyai saarugindra naattilaeIn a land where it affects the child
Thanadhu paavam thannaiyaeOne's own sin striking back at oneself
Thaakkum needhi kuttramaaIs that justice considered a crime?
Vellai aadai pulli veezhndhaalIf a stain falls on a white dress
Vaeru saatchi vaendumoIs any other witness required?
Manidhan paavam seidhaalIf a human commits a sin
Manadhu thaanae saatchiyaam….The mind itself becomes the witness...
Male
Nenjil ulla kaayam ondruA wound inside the heart
Nenjai vittu theerndhadhuHas finally left the heart
Male
Thaai illaadha pillaiyaaiLike a motherless child
Thanimai konda selvamaeOh precious treasure living in solitude
Thaai illaadha pillai neeYou are a motherless child
Vaai ilaadha kanavan naanI am a voiceless husband
Male
Indru naalai endru vaazhvomLet us live today and tomorrow
Nalla naalai thaeduvomLet us search for better days
Unadhu thandhai aasaiyaeIt is your father's ultimate desire
Undhau kaalam velvatheThat your time triumphs
Male
Nenjil ulla kaayam ondruA wound inside the heart
Nenjai vittu theerndhadhuHas finally left the heart
Ennai indru naanae kaanaFor me to see myself today
Naeram vandhu saerndhadhu….The time has finally arrived...
Male
Nenjil ulla kaayam ondruA wound inside the heart
Nenjai vittu theerndhadhuHas finally left the heart

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song from Rishi Moolam (1980) reflects deep emotional catharsis, self-discovery, and moral resolution. The protagonist acknowledges the healing of a long-standing emotional wound and comes to terms with past mistakes, karma, and familial responsibilities. Through philosophical observations, he expresses that conscience serves as the ultimate judge of human actions, drawing analogies to stains on a pure white garment.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Alliteration)

Nenjil ulla kaayam ondru / Nenjai vittu theerndhadhu

Repetition of the initial letter/sound in consecutive words or lines, such as 'Nenjil' and 'Nenjai' or 'Poojaikkaana' and 'Poovil'.

Edhukai (Second Letter Rhyme)

Thaayin paavam / Thanadhu paavam thannaiyae

Matching second consonants across lines, seen in 'Thaayin' and 'Thanadhu'.

Metaphor

Vellai aadai pulli veezhndhaal

Using a stain on a white cloth ('Vellai aadai pulli veezhndhaal') as a metaphor for obvious guilt or sin.

Personification

Manidhan paavam seidhaal / Manadhu thaanae saatchiyaam….

Attributing the human role of a legal witness ('saatchi') to the human mind or conscience ('Manadhu').

Did you know?

Trivia

Rishi Moolam (1980) features music composed by Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics written by Kannadasan. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan in the lead role, and this poignant song is sung by the legendary playback singer T. M. Soundararajan (TMS).

Keep listening

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