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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Paaridhanil Iravindri

From Rathna Kumar · 1949

Lyricist
Papanasam Sivan
Singer
P. U. Chinnappa
Music directors
G. Ramanathan, C. R. Subbaraman
Details
Rathna Kumar1949

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Paaridhanil iravindriOn this earth, without night,
Pagalum illai…There is no day either...
Eee….eee…eee….aa….(Vocalizing sound notes)
Pasiyindri naavarindhaWithout hunger, the taste
Rusiyumillai…ee…ee…Known to the tongue does not exist... (vocalizing)
Naeravarum thunbamindrae…Without the hardship that comes one's way...
Inbamundo…oo oo oo ooIs there any happiness?
Nenjamidhai marandhuvidilIf the heart forgets this truth,
Thanjamundo…oo oo oo ooIs there any refuge?
Hoo oo oo oo oo(Vocalizing sound notes)
Male
Andrun thalaiyilThat which on that day, upon one's forehead,
Avan ezhudhiyadhai indraeHe (Fate/God) wrote, today itself,
Azhithae ezhudhavum mudindhidumoCan it be erased and rewritten?
Andrun thalaiyilThat which on that day, upon one's forehead,
Avan ezhudhiyadhai indraeHe (Fate/God) wrote, today itself,
Azhithae ezhudhavum mudindhidumoCan it be erased and rewritten?
Aaraai kanneer neer sorindhaalumEven if tears flow shedding like a river,
Adhilor ezhuthinai azhithidumoWill it erase even a single letter of that destiny?
Aaraai kanneer neer sorindhaalumEven if tears flow shedding like a river,
Adhilor ezhuthinai azhithidumoWill it erase even a single letter of that destiny?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song reflects on the essential dualities of life and the unyielding nature of fate. Papanasam Sivan uses everyday realities—such as the balance between night and day, hunger and taste, and pain and pleasure—to illustrate that true joy cannot be appreciated without experiencing sorrow. Forgetting this fundamental balance leads to unnecessary mental anguish.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Antithesis (Ethirnilayi)

Paaridhanil iravindri Pagalum illai... Naeravarum thunbamindrae Inbamundo

Contrasting opposites such as night/day (Iravu/Pagal) and sorrow/joy (Thunbam/Inbam) to highlight the balance of life.

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navortchi)

Aaraai kanneer neer sorindhaalum

Describing tears flowing like an entire river to emphasize deep distress.

Rhetorical Question

Azhithae ezhudhavum mudindhidumo

Using questions to assert philosophical truths that fate cannot be altered by grief.

Ethukai (Second-letter rhyme)

Andrun thalaiyil / Adhilor ezhuthinai

Matching of the second consonant sound across lines, such as 'nd' in 'Andrun' and 'Adhilor'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Rathna Kumar (1949) featured both P. U. Chinnappa and M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, two of the earliest superstars of Tamil cinema. The lyrics written by Papanasam Sivan, known as the 'Tamil Tyagayya', carry his iconic Carnatic-infused philosophical tone regarding karma and destiny.

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