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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Oru Kootil Sila Kaalam

From Engirundho Vandhan · 1995

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Movie name
Engirundho Vandhan
Movie release year
1995
Lyrics added on
27 Oct 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Poove vidai kodu
Purappada virumbuthu poongaatru
Intha vaazhvey oru vesham
Vizhigalin idharken neeroottru
Vizhigalin idharken neeroottru
Oru koottil sila kaalam undaana
Sonthangal dhisai maaralaam
Vidai koori veliyerum inneram
Kanneeril isai paadalaam
Nijamindru nizhalaanathu nijamindru nizhalaanathu
Koottu paravai thanathu siragai thirumba virikkalaam
Oru koottil sila kaalam undaana
Sonthangal dhisai maaralaam
Vidai koori veliyerum inneram
Kanneeril isai paadalaam
Yaarukku yaar ingu uravu
Idhai oorukku yaar solvathu
Kanavukkul undaana kanavu
Idhil yaar nenai yaar kondatho
Mannil vevveru veshangal
Naam poda vanthom
Yaar vesham mei enbathu
Ellaamae poiyaavaathu
Edharkkaaa thuyar kolvathu
Vaazhkkai irukkum varaikkum
Varuththam maranthu sirikkalaam
Oru koottil sila kaalam undaana
Sonthangal dhisai maaralaam
Vidai koori veliyerum inneram
Kanneeril isai paadalaam
Dheivaanai sri valli thalaivaa
Thiruchenthoorin vadivelavaa
Naan seitha poojaigal kuraivaa
Enthan kula dheivam neeyallavaa
Soodum poovodum pottodum
Naan vaazh vendum
Eeraaru kannillaiyaa eeraaru kayillaiyaa
Irunthenna palan sollaiyyaa
Vendi vanagum pozhuthu udhavi puriya maruppatho
Oru koottil sila kaalam undaana
Sonthangal dhisai maaralaam
Vidai koori veliyerum inneram
Kanneeril isai paadalaam
Nijamindru nizhalaanathu nijamindru nizhalaanathu
Koottu paravai thanathu siragai thirumba virikkalaam
Oru koottil sila kaalam undaana
Sonthangal dhisai maaralaam
Vidai koori veliyerum inneram
Kanneeril isai paadalaam
Bid me farewell, O flower
The gentle breeze wishes to depart
This life itself is just a role
Why should tears spring from your eyes for this?
Why should tears spring from your eyes for this?
Formed in one nest for a little while,
relationships may drift in different directions
At this moment of saying goodbye and parting,
a song can be sung through tears
What was real has become a shadow today, what was real has become a shadow today
The bird in the nest can spread its wings once again
Formed in one nest for a little while,
relationships may drift in different directions
At this moment of saying goodbye and parting,
a song can be sung through tears...
Who is truly related to whom here?
Who can explain this to the world?
It is a dream within a dream,
in this, who has truly won whose heart?
To play different roles on this earth,
we have arrived
Which role is real,
when everything turns out to be false?
Why should one grieve over this?
As long as life remains,
we can forget our sorrow and smile
Formed in one nest for a little while,
relationships may drift in different directions
At this moment of saying goodbye and parting,
a song can be sung through tears...
O Lord of Deivanai and Valli,
O beautiful Lord Vadivelava of Tiruchendur,
Were the prayers I offered lacking?
Are you not my family deity?
With flowers in my hair and the vermilion mark on my forehead,
I must live as a blessed wife
Do you not have twelve eyes? Do you not have twelve hands?
Tell me, Lord, what is the use of having them,
if you refuse to help when I pray and bow to you?
Formed in one nest for a little while,
relationships may drift in different directions
At this moment of saying goodbye and parting,
a song can be sung through tears
What was real has become a shadow today, what was real has become a shadow today
The bird in the nest can spread its wings once again
Formed in one nest for a little while,
relationships may drift in different directions
At this moment of saying goodbye and parting,
a song can be sung through tears
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Female
Female
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

The song 'Poove vidai kodu' from the film 'Engirundho Vandhan' (1995) is a deeply moving philosophical and emotional reflection on the transience of human life, parting, and destiny. Written by the veteran lyricist Vaali, the song metaphorically views life as a stage play where human beings merely play temporary roles. Relationships built over time are compared to birds sharing a common nest before flying off in different directions when the time comes to part ways.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

“Intha vaazhvey oru vesham”

Life is explicitly compared to a theatrical disguise or a role played on stage, highlighting its impermanent nature.

Metaphor

“Oru koottil sila kaalam undaana sonthangal”

Human relationships and family bonds are compared to birds temporarily inhabiting a single nest before flying away.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

“Vaazhkkai irukkum varaikkum / Varuththam maranthu sirikkalaam”

Repetition of the initial 'Va' sound across consecutive lines creates rhythmic musicality.

Nindha Stuthi / Rhetorical Question

“Eeraaru kannillaiyaa eeraaru kayillaiyaa / Irunthenna palan sollaiyyaa”

The singer directly questions Lord Murugan's iconic twelve eyes and twelve arms, expressing painful anguish when divine aid seems absent.

Did you know?

Trivia

The lyrics feature classic devotional imagery associated with Lord Murugan of Tiruchendur ('Eeraaru kannillaiyaa', referring to his 12 eyes and 12 arms). Vaali expertly weaves traditional Tamil devotional motifs with existential philosophy, expressing heartbreak through an appeal to a personal deity.

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