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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Nizhal Thedi Vantha Idam

From Avalum Penthane · 1974

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
P. B. Sreenivas
Music director
V. Kumar
Movie name
Avalum Penthane
Movie release year
1974
Lyrics added on
19 Apr 2023

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Nizhal thedi vantha idam nerupaanathu
Nizhal thedi vantha idam nerupaanathu
Nee neer endru kudiththathingu nanjaanathu
Nizhal thedi vantha idam nerupaanathu
Nee neer endru kudiththathingu nanjaanathu
Nanjaanathu……
Thaai endru ninaiththa manam peyaanathu
Thaai endru ninaiththa manam peyaanathu
Un penmaikku pennaethaan pagaiyaanathu
Nizhal thedi vantha idam nerupaanathu
Thanninamthaan thindru nee vaazhathu
Antha thannalam sila perkku yaen vanthathu
Thanninamthaan thindru nee vaazhathu
Antha thannalam sila perkku yaen vanthathu
Ponnaendrum poovendrum
Annaiyin inam endrum
Ponnaendrum poovendrum
Annaiyin inam endrum
Penninam per pettru ennaananthu
Indru paavigal kai pattu punnaanathu
Paavigal kai pattu punnaanathu
Nizhal thedi vantha idam nerupaanathu
Pennena piranthaalae perumpaavama
Idhu kanniyam illaatha samuthaayamaa
Pennena piranthaalae perumpaavama
Idhu kanniyam illaatha samuthaayamaa
Santhaiyil vilai pogum
Manthaiyin nilai polae
Santhaiyil vilai pogum
Manthaiyin nilai polae
Mangaiyai edai podum parithaabamaa
Idhai maattridum edhirkaalam uruvaagumaa…..
The place you came to seeking shade turned into fire
The place you came to seeking shade turned into fire
What you drank thinking it was water turned to poison here
The place you came to seeking shade turned into fire
What you drank thinking it was water turned to poison here
Turned to poison...
The heart you thought was a mother turned into a demon
The heart you thought was a mother turned into a demon
A woman herself became the enemy of your womanhood
The place you came to seeking shade turned into fire
Even creatures do not live by eating their own kind
Why did some people develop such selfishness?
Even creatures do not live by eating their own kind
Why did some people develop such selfishness?
Praised as gold and cherished like a flower,
Honored as the noble race of mothers,
Praised as gold and cherished like a flower,
Honored as the noble race of mothers,
What became of womankind despite having such a name?
Today, hurt by the hands of sinners, it has become a wound
Hurt by the hands of sinners, it has become a wound
The place you came to seeking shade turned into fire
Is it a great sin just to be born a woman?
Is this a society devoid of all decency?
Is it a great sin just to be born a woman?
Is this a society devoid of all decency?
Sold for a price in the market,
Just like cattle in a herd,
Sold for a price in the market,
Just like cattle in a herd,
What a tragedy that a woman is weighed and priced!
Will a future ever arise that changes this...?
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

The song 'Nizhal Thedi Vantha Idam' from the 1974 film 'Avalum Penthane' is a poignant philosophical lament on the suffering, betrayal, and social injustice faced by women. Sung with profound sorrow by P. B. Sreenivas, the song expresses the tragedy of a vulnerable woman seeking refuge and comfort (shade), only to find destruction (fire), betrayal, and toxic exploitation (poison). Lyricist Vaali exposes the hypocrisy of a society that reveres women poetically as flowers, gold, and mothers, yet subjects them to heartless commercialization and abuse. The song critiques the lack of empathy and dignity in human interactions and questions whether a compassionate future will ever emerge to deliver justice to women.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

“Nizhal thedi vantha idam nerupaanathu”

Compares a place of safety or comfort (shade) turning into danger or destruction (fire).

Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

“Ponnaendrum / Annaiyin / Penninam”

The second letter 'n' (ன/ண்) rhymes across consecutive lines, providing metrical rhythm.

Simile (Upamai)

“Santhaiyil vilai pogum manthaiyin nilai polae”

Explicitly compares the commodification and degradation of women to cattle being priced and traded in a public market.

Monai (First-letter Alliteration)

“Pennena piranthaalae perumpaavama”

The initial 'P' sound repeats across 'Pennena', 'piranthaalae', and 'perumpaavama'.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Avalum Penthane' (1974) is a Tamil social drama film directed by A. C. Tirulokchandar. The soundtrack was composed by V. Kumar, who was known for his melodious compositions in the 1960s and 1970s. Legendary playback singer P. B. Sreenivas delivered this emotionally charged song written by Vaali, reflecting the movie's core theme surrounding the plight and resilience of women in contemporary Indian society.

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