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Isaimozhi
Osai album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Oru Paadal Naan Ketten (Pathos)

From Osai · 1984

Lyricist
Vaali
Singers
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Vani Jairam
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Movie name
Osai
Movie release year
1984
Lyrics added on
9 Aug 2022

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Vaazhkkai endru edhuvum illai
Unthan enthan kadhaiyaagum
Nee paayum nadhi aanaai
Unnai thaangum karai aanaen
En vaazhkkaiyil nee paadhi
Un vaazhkkaiyil naan paadhi
En kangalil samuththirangal
Adhil kaanbathu nampikkaigal
Vaazhkkai endru edhuvum illai
Unthan enthan kadhaiyaagum
Oru paadal naan kettaen…
En oomai kuyilondru
Idhu paadum naalendru
Un vaasagam ketkaathu
Vizhi vaasalum moodaathu
En vaazhkkaiyin latchiyamae
Un vaaimozhi ketpathuthaan
Vaazhkkai endru edhuvum illai
Unthan enthan kadhaiyaagum
Aa….aa…aaa….aaa….aa…aa…
Vaazhkkai endru edhuvum illai
Unthan enthan kadhaiyaagum
Unthan enthan kadhaiyaagum
Life is nothing on its own,
it is just your story and mine.
You became the flowing river,
and I became the bank that holds you.
You are one half of my life,
and I am one half of yours.
In my eyes are oceans,
and what is seen in them is hope.
Life is nothing on its own,
it is just your story and mine.
I heard a song...
that my silent cuckoo
is singing today.
Without hearing your words,
the doors of my eyes will not close.
The only dream of my life
is to hear you speak.
Life is nothing on its own,
it is just your story and mine.
Aa... aa... aaaa... aaaa... aa... aa...
Life is nothing on its own,
it is just your story and mine.
It is just your story and mine.
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This soulful duet from 'Osai' (1984) portrays the profound interdependence and emotional unity between two lovers. The lyrics convey that life has no individual existence in isolation; rather, its true purpose and meaning are created jointly through their shared story. Using timeless metaphors—such as a flowing river supported by its bank—the song illustrates how one partner gives strength, stability, and direction to the other's passion.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Nee paayum nadhi aanaai / Unnai thaangum karai aanaen

Compares the beloved to a free-flowing river and the speaker to the supportive riverbank that contains and guides it.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Vizhi vaasalum moodaathu

Refers to the eyes as a 'doorway' (vizhi vaasal) that stays open in anticipation of seeing the loved one.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme / Parallel Structure)

En vaazhkkaiyil nee paadhi / Un vaazhkkaiyil naan paadhi

Repeats 'paadhi' (half) at the end of symmetrical lines to emphasize mutual completeness.

Iyaipu (End Rhyme)

Un vaasagam ketkaathu / Vizhi vaasalum moodaathu

The words 'ketkaathu' and 'moodaathu' rhyme at the line endings, creating melodic continuity.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Osai' (1984) featured music composed by the veteran duo Shankar–Ganesh, with lyrics by the legendary Vaali. The film starred Mohan (famously dubbed 'Mic' Mohan for his musical roles) and Radhika. S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and Vani Jairam's vocal chemistry in this track made it one of the standout romantic duets from the movie's soundtrack.

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