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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nilavedhu Karaiyedhu

From Kadugu · 2017

Lyricist
Madhan Karky
Singer
Haricharan
Music director
S. N. Arunagiri
Details
Kadugu2017

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Nilavedhu karaiedhuWhich is the moon, which is the stain?
Azhagedhu kuraiedhuWhich is beauty, which is flaw?
Evanadhu ezhudhiyadhuWhose writing is this destiny?
Azhudhidum thuligalinOf the weeping tears,
Kanam kandu ranam sollaSeeing their weight and expressing the pain,
Manamingu pazhagiyadhuThe heart here has grown accustomed.
Male
Ennullae… theeyo theeyoInside me... is it fire, oh fire?
Ada nenjae…. yaarai ketpaayoOh heart... whom will you ask?
Male
Nilavedhu karaiedhuWhich is the moon, which is the stain?
Azhagedhu kuraiedhuWhich is beauty, which is flaw?
Evanadhu ezhudhiyadhuWhose writing is this destiny?
Azhudhidum thuligalinOf the weeping tears,
Kanam kandu ranam sollaSeeing their weight and expressing the pain,
Manamingu pazhagiyadhuThe heart here has grown accustomed.
Male
Nyaayam… aniyaayam…Justice... injustice...
Adhu naalum maaraadhuThat will never change over time.
Kuttram… adhan aazhaamA crime... its true depth,
Adhai sattangal kooraadhuThe legal system cannot measure or state.
Male
Kaayam… thanakkendraal…If a wound is inflicted upon oneself...
Avan kaththal thaangaadhuHis screaming is unbearable.
Kaayam… piraakkendraalIf a wound is inflicted upon another...
Avan kaadhugal ketkaadhuHis ears refuse to listen.
Male
Pavam adhil siridhennaWhat is a minor sin in that?
Thunbam adhil peridhennaWhat is a major sorrow in that?
Yaarai ketpaayoWhom will you ask?
Male
Nilavedhu karaiedhuWhich is the moon, which is the stain?
Azhagedhu kuraiedhuWhich is beauty, which is flaw?
Evanadhu ezhudhiyadhuWhose writing is this destiny?
Azhudhidum thuligalinOf the weeping tears,
Kanam kandu ranam sollaSeeing their weight and expressing the pain,
Manamingu pazhagiyadhuThe heart here has grown accustomed.
Male
Ennullae… theeyo theeyoInside me... is it fire, oh fire?
Ada nenjae…. yaarai ketpaayoOh heart... whom will you ask?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song expresses intense existential angst, moral conflict, and a critique of human selfishness. It questions the arbitrary boundaries between good and bad, purity and flaw, asking who orchestrated such a world. The lyrics highlight societal hypocrisy—how people scream in pain when they suffer, yet turn a complete deaf ear when others experience the exact same tragedy.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Muran (Antithesis)

Kaayam… thanakkendraal… / Kaayam… piraakkendraal

Contrasts suffering when it happens to oneself versus when it happens to others, pointing out human hypocrisy.

Ethugai (Second letter rhyme)

Kanam kandu ranam solla / Manamingu pazhagiyadhu

The second consonant 'na' (ன) matches in 'Kanam' and 'Manam'.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Nilavedhu karaiedhu / Azhagedhu kuraiedhu

Lines end with rhyming phonetic suffixes 'karaiedhu' and 'kuraiedhu'.

Metaphor

Ennullae… theeyo theeyo

Compares inner distress, helplessness, and anger directly to an raging fire within.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Kadugu' (2017) was directed by SD Vijay Milton and produced by actor Suriya's 2D Entertainment. The song's evocative, philosophical lyrics were written by Madhan Karky, capturing the central theme of social justice and human morality explored in the film.

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