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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ninappathu Nadappathillai

From Pattondru Ketten · 1971

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singers
Seerkazhi Govindarajan, P. Susheela
Music director
C. Ramachandra
Details
Pattondru Ketten1971

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Ninaippathu nadappathillaiWhat is thought does not happen
Ketpathu kidaippathillaiWhat is asked for is not obtained
Varuvathum therivathillaiWhat is yet to come is not known
Vaazhnthum palanillaiEven living has no purpose
Female
Ninaippathu nadappathillaiWhat is thought does not happen
Ketpathu kidaippathillaiWhat is asked for is not obtained
Varuvathum therivathillaiWhat is yet to come is not known
Vaazhnthum palanillaiEven living has no purpose
Palanillai palanillaiNo purpose, no purpose
Female
Ninaippathu nadappathillaiWhat is thought does not happen
Ketpathu kidaippathillaiWhat is asked for is not obtained
Female
Sonnaalum puriyavillai..aa…aa…aa…Even if expressed, it is not understood..aa...aa...aa...
Sonnaalum puriyavillaiEven if expressed, it is not understood
Sollaamal irupatharkkum mudiyavillaiNor is it possible to remain silent
En vaazhvil inbamillaiThere is no joy in my life
Inbamillai inbamillaiNo joy, no joy
Female
Ninaippathu nadappathillaiWhat is thought does not happen
Ketpathu kidaippathillaiWhat is asked for is not obtained
Varuvathum therivathillaiWhat is yet to come is not known
Vaazhnthum palanillaiEven living has no purpose
Palanillai palanillaiNo purpose, no purpose
Male
Vaazhaamal vaazhvathakaaIs it living without truly living?
Saagaamal saavatharkaaIs it dying without truly dying?
Vaazhaamal vaazhvathakaaIs it living without truly living?
Saagaamal saavatharkaaIs it dying without truly dying?
Male
Yaen padaiththaai iraivaa iraivaaWhy did You create me, Oh God, Oh God?
Yaen padaiththaai iraivaaWhy did You create me, Oh God?
En manathil amaithiyillaiThere is no peace in my heart
Ini endrum sirippumillaiFrom now on, there is no laughter ever
Sirippumillai sirippumillaiNo laughter, no laughter
Female
Ninaippathu nadappathillaiWhat is thought does not happen
Ketpathu kidaippathillaiWhat is asked for is not obtained
Varuvathum therivathillaiWhat is yet to come is not known
Vaazhnthum palanillaiEven living has no purpose
Palanillai palanillaiNo purpose, no purpose
Female
: Ninaippathu nadappathillaiWhat is thought does not happen
Ketpathu kidaippathillaiWhat is asked for is not obtained
Female
Alaikkadal ointhaalumEven if the ocean waves subside
Aasaikkadal oivathillaiThe ocean of desire never subsides
Aasai azhainthaalum anbu azhavathillaiEven if desire perishes, love does not perish
Anbu azhaivathillaiLove does not perish
Female
Anbaal inainthuvittaalIf united by love
Nenjam marappathillaiThe heart never forgets
Marappathillai marappathillaiNever forgets, never forgets
Female
Ninaippathu nadappathillaiWhat is thought does not happen
Ketpathu kidaippathillaiWhat is asked for is not obtained
Varuvathum therivathillaiWhat is yet to come is not known
Vaazhnthum palanillaiEven living has no purpose
Palanillai palanillaiNo purpose, no purpose

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a poignant, philosophical reflection on human helplessness, unfulfilled dreams, and the unpredictability of fate. The protagonist grieves over life's harsh realities where expectations rarely come true, communication fails, and peace remains elusive. Trapped in a state between living and dying, the speaker questions God about the ultimate purpose of human existence and suffering.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Ninaippathu nadappathillai / Ketpathu kidaippathillai

The lines end with similar sounding rhythmic suffixes ('-athillai'), creating a soothing yet sorrowful cadence.

Metaphor

Aasaikkadal oivathillai

Desire is compared to a vast ocean ('Aasaikkadal'), symbolizing its endless and turbulent nature.

Muran (Antithesis)

Vaazhaamal vaazhvathakaa / Saagaamal saavatharkaa

Contrasts the paradox of living without truly living and dying without truly dying to highlight existential agony.

Anaphora (Repetition)

Palanillai palanillai

Repetition of words like 'palanillai' and 'inbamillai' emphasizes the depth of anguish and despair.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Pattondru Ketten' (1971) features music composed by C. Ramachandra, a legendary Hindi film composer who rarely scored for Tamil cinema. The deeply philosophical lyrics penned by Kannadasan reflect his signature style of questioning destiny and human sorrow.

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