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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Oru Moonam Pirai

From Aararo Aariraro · 1989

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Vani Jairam
Music director
K. Bhagyaraj
Movie name
Aararo Aariraro
Movie release year
1989
Lyrics added on
26 Jun 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Oru moonam pira paaru
Maerkku pakkama
Adhu muzhusaa iruttu
Jannal pakkamaa
Oru moonam pira paaru
Maerkku pakkama
Adhu muzhusaa iruttu
Jannal pakkamaa
Ivalum nilavum oru jaadhi
Irandilum kalangam sari paadhi
Iraivaa undhan padaippil irukku
Sama needhi
Oru moonam pira paaru
Maerkku pakkama
Adhu muzhusaa iruttu
Jannal pakkamaa
Mullodu thaan irundhaalum
Malar thean thaan endrum kasanthathillai
Mannodu thaan pirandhaalum
Pasum ponn thaan tharam thaazhndhadhillai
Vizhundhaal meendum
Ezha vendum
Veenae etharkku azha vendum
Nallathoru neram naalai vanthu serum
Kalangidum thirumagal mugam malarum
Oru moonam pira paaru
Maerkku pakkama
Adhu muzhusaa iruttu
Jannal pakkamaa
Ivalum nilavum oru jaadhi
Irandilum kalangam sari paadhi
Iraivaa undhan padaippil irukku
Sama needhi
…………………………….
Anbaana andha aasaligai pol
Dhinam naan thaan
Manam thirithirunthen
Sreeraaman
Un karunaiyinal endhan saabam
Adhu theernthuvitten
Thunaiyae endhan deivam endru
Manadhil naanum thuthikindren
Innum oru jenmam ingu vara vendum
Irandoru kalandhida varam vendum
Oru moonam pira paaru
Maerkku pakkama
Adhu muzhusaa iruttu
Jannal pakkamaa
Ivalum nilavum oru jaadhi
Irandilum kalangam sari paadhi
Iraivaa undhan padaippil irukku
Sama needhi
Look at the third-day crescent moon,
Over on the western side.
And that is total darkness,
Beside the window frame.
Look at the third-day crescent moon,
Over on the western side.
And that is total darkness,
Beside the window frame.
She and the moon are of the same kind;
In both, the stain is shared in equal measure.
Oh God, in Your creation there exists
Equal justice.
Look at the third-day crescent moon,
Over on the western side.
And that is total darkness,
Beside the window frame.
Even if it abides amidst sharp thorns,
The flower's nectar has never turned bitter.
Even if it is born from the dirt of the earth,
Pure gold has never fallen in quality.
If you fall, once again
You must rise up.
Why weep in vain?
A good time will surely arrive tomorrow,
And the face of this grieving lady will bloom.
Look at the third-day crescent moon,
Over on the western side.
And that is total darkness,
Beside the window frame.
She and the moon are of the same kind;
In both, the stain is shared in equal measure.
Oh God, in Your creation there exists
Equal justice.
...
Like that loving Ahalya,
Every day,
I was wandering with a restless mind.
Oh Lord Rama,
By your compassion, my curse
Has finally been lifted.
Believing my companion to be my God,
I worship him within my heart.
I want to be born here for another lifetime,
And seek a boon for the two of us to unite as one.
Look at the third-day crescent moon,
Over on the western side.
And that is total darkness,
Beside the window frame.
She and the moon are of the same kind;
In both, the stain is shared in equal measure.
Oh God, in Your creation there exists
Equal justice.
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

The song is a poignant, philosophical reflection from the movie 'Aararo Aariraro' (1989), comparing a woman burdened by social stigma or past misfortune to a crescent moon. Just as the moon carries a visible blemish ('kalangam') yet remains divine and bright, the protagonist retains her inherent purity despite life's hardship. Lyricist Vaali uses metaphors of nectar staying sweet among thorns and gold retaining its quality in dirt to emphasize that true virtue cannot be corrupted by external circumstances. In the second stanza, the tone turns to gratitude and redemption using the Ramayana allusion of Ahalya ('Aasaligai'). The female protagonist expresses how her partner's compassion redeemed her from her curse-like misery, elevating him to a divine status in her heart and praying to be united with him across future births.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

“Ivalum nilavum oru jaadhi / Irandilum kalangam sari paadhi”

Compares the heroine directly to the crescent moon, drawing a parallel between the physical dark spot on the moon and the social blemish or hardship in her life.

Ethugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

“Mullodu thaan irundhaalum / Mannodu thaan pirandhaalum”

The second consonant sound 'll' in 'Mullodu' rhymes with 'nn' in 'Mannodu', creating rhythmic harmony.

Mythological Allusion (Ilakkiya Kurippu)

“Anbaana andha aasaligai pol ... Sreeraaman”

Refers to the story of Ahalya ('Aasaligai') from the Ramayana, who was turned to stone by a curse and redeemed by the touch of Lord Rama's feet, symbolizing redemption through love.

Monai (First-letter Alliteration)

“Vizhundhaal meendum / Ezha vendum”

Matching vocalic assonance and structural rhythm emphasizing resilience and rising after a fall.

Did you know?

Trivia

In 'Aararo Aariraro' (1989), director K. Bhagyaraj took on the role of music composer himself for the first time in his career. Penning the lyrics, Vaali famously crafted these deeply emotional and comforting lines that highlight Bhagyaraj's signature knack for narrative-driven melodies. The song is widely remembered for its philosophical outlook on life's imperfections.

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