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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Noolumillai

From Rail Payanangalil · 1981

Lyricist
T. Rajendar
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
Vijaya T. Rajendar
Details
Rail Payanangalil1981

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Vasandha oonjalilae asaindha poongkodiyaeOh flowering vine that swayed on the spring swing,
Udhirndha maayam ennaWhat is this magic of your falling?
Un idhaya sogam ennaWhat is the grief in your heart?
Un idhaya sogam ennaWhat is the grief in your heart?
Male
Noolumillai vaalumillaiWithout a string and without a tail,
Vaanil pattam viduvenaaCan I fly a kite in the sky?
Naadhi illai dhaevi illaiWith no companion and no divine love,
Naanum vaazhvai rasippaennaaWill I ever enjoy life?
Naanum vaazhvai rasippaennaaWill I ever enjoy life?
Male
Noolumillai vaalumillaiWithout a string and without a tail,
Vaanil pattam viduvenaaCan I fly a kite in the sky?
Naadhi illai dhaevi illaiWith no companion and no divine love,
Naanum vaazhvai rasippaennaaWill I ever enjoy life?
Naanum vaazhvai rasippaennaaWill I ever enjoy life?
Male
Ninaivu vellam perugi varaAs a flood of memories swells up,
Neruppenavae sudugiradhuIt burns like fire.
{Padukkai virithu potten{I laid out the bed,
Adhil mullaai avalin ninaivuUpon it, her memory rests like a thorn.
Paalum ulagai vaeruthaenI grew detested with this earthly world,
Adhil yaeno innum uyiru} (2)Yet why does life still remain inside me?} (2)
Male
Mannulagil jenmam enaAs a mortal birth on this earth,
Ennai yaeno indru varai vittu vaithaaiWhy have you spared me until today?
Kannirandil kaatchi kodi innumvaithuKeeping millions of scenes in both eyes,
Kanneerai pizhindheduthaaiYou squeezed tears out of me.
Iraivaa kanneerai pizhindheduthaaiOh God, you squeezed tears out of me.
Male
Noolumillai vaalumillaiWithout a string and without a tail,
Vaanil pattam viduvenaaCan I fly a kite in the sky?
Naadhi illai dhaevi illaiWith no companion and no divine love,
Naanum vaazhvai rasippaennaaWill I ever enjoy life?
Naanum vaazhvai rasippaennaaWill I ever enjoy life?
Male
Nizhal uruvil inaindhirukkaUnited in the form of a shadow,
Nijam vadivil pirindhirukkaSeparated in reality.
{Poothaal malarum udhirum{When a flower blooms, it falls,
Nenjil poothal udhiravillaiBut the bloom in the heart never falls.
Nilavum thaeyindhu valarumThe moon wanes and grows,
Aval ninaivo thaeyivadhillai} (2)Yet memory of her never wanes.} (2)
Male
Kaadudhannil paavi uyir vaegum varaiUntil my sinful soul burns in the cremation ground,
Paavai unnai ninaithiduvaenOh maiden, I will keep thinking of you.
Paadaiyilae pogayilumEven while resting on the funeral bier,
Dhaevi uravai thaedi uyir parandhidumaeSearching for the bond with my goddess, my soul will take flight.
Uravai thaedi uyir parandhidumaeSearching for that bond, my soul will take flight.
Male
Noolumillai vaalumillaiWithout a string and without a tail,
Vaanil pattam viduvenaaCan I fly a kite in the sky?
Naadhi illai dhaevi illaiWith no companion and no divine love,
Naanum vaazhvai rasippaennaa ah ahWill I ever enjoy life? Ah ah...
Naanum vaazhvai rasippaennaa ah ahWill I ever enjoy life? Ah ah...
Naanum vaazhvai rasippaennaaWill I ever enjoy life?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Vasandha Oonjalilae' is a deeply emotional song depicting the excruciating pain of unrequited love and separation. The protagonist compares his life to a kite without a string or tail, drifting helplessly without direction or hope. Through vivid imagery, he describes how every memory of his beloved pierces him like a thorn on his bed, turning his thoughts into a consuming fire.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagak Ani)

Noolumillai vaalumillai / Vaanil pattam viduvenaa

Compares a broken, directionless life without a beloved to a kite lacking both string and tail.

Simile (Uvamai Ani)

Ninaivu vellam perugi vara / Neruppenavae sudugiradhu

Compares the overwhelming surge of memories directly to burning fire.

Contrast (Muran Ani)

Nilavum thaeyindhu valarum / Aval ninaivo thaeyivadhillai

Contrasts the cyclical waning and waxing of the moon with the everlasting, unwavering nature of her memories.

Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Nizhal uruvil inaindhirukka / Nijam vadivil pirindhirukka

The second letter 'ja/zha' alignment creates a rhythmic internal rhyme highlighting the contrast between shadow and reality.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Rail Payanangalil' (1981) was written, directed, and musically scored by T. Rajendar himself. The song 'Vasandha Oonjalilae' became a iconic heartbreak anthem in Tamil cinema, showcasing T. Rajendar's signature lyrical style rich with alliteration, metaphors, and intense emotional delivery.

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