Paedhai Naan
From Kanavu · 1954
- Lyricist
- A. Maruthakasi
- Singer
- M. L. Vasanthakumari
- Music directors
- G. Ramanathan, V. Dakshinamurthy
- Details
- Kanavu1954
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Muraiyo iraivaa | Is this justice, O Almighty Lord? |
| Bedhai naan anaathaiyaai | I, an innocent girl, abandoned like an orphan, |
| Mann meethu vaada naernthathae | Am destined to languish and wither on this earth. |
| Pedhai naan anaathaiyaai | I, an innocent girl, abandoned like an orphan, |
| Mann meethu vaada naernthathae | Am destined to languish and wither on this earth. |
| Female | |
| Aadhaaram illaa paavi mel | Upon a helpless sinner like me who has no support, |
| Anuthaabamullor illaiyae | Is there no one left who feels compassion? |
| Anbullam kondor illaiyae | Is there no one left who possesses a loving heart? |
| Pedhai naan anaathaiyaai | I, an innocent girl, abandoned like an orphan, |
| Female | |
| Thaavendru vanthu ketkkumun | Before anyone even comes asking to give, |
| Inthaavendru eentha naattilae | In this land that gave proactively saying here take this, |
| Naanindru kenji kadhariyum | Today, even as I beg and cry out aloud, |
| Yaenendru ketpaarillaiyae | There is nobody who comes forward to ask why? |
| Female | |
| Pedhai naan anaathaiyaai | I, an innocent girl, abandoned like an orphan, |
| Mann meethu vaada naernthathae | Am destined to languish and wither on this earth. |
| Female | |
| Idhu sariyo idhu muraiyo idhu neriyo | Is this right? Is this fair? Is this moral? |
| Idhu tharunam udhaviyae puriguvor | At this critical moment, those who offer assistance, |
| Evarum illaiyo… | Is there no one at all...? |
முறையோ இறைவா......
பேதை நான் அனாதையாய்
மண் மீது வாட நேர்ந்ததே
பேதை நான் அனாதையாய்
மண் மீது வாட நேர்ந்ததே....
Is this justice, O Almighty Lord?
I, an innocent girl, abandoned like an orphan,
Am destined to languish and wither on this earth.
I, an innocent girl, abandoned like an orphan,
Am destined to languish and wither on this earth.
ஆதாரம் இல்லாப் பாவி மேல்
அனுதாபமுள்ளோர் இல்லையே
அன்புள்ளம் கொண்டோர் இல்லையே
பேதை நான் அனாதையாய்......
Upon a helpless sinner like me who has no support,
Is there no one left who feels compassion?
Is there no one left who possesses a loving heart?
I, an innocent girl, abandoned like an orphan,
தாவென்று வந்து கேட்குமுன்
இந்தாவென்று ஈந்த நாட்டிலே
நானின்று கெஞ்சிக் கதறியும்
ஏனென்று கேட்பாரில்லையே...
Before anyone even comes asking to give,
In this land that gave proactively saying here take this,
Today, even as I beg and cry out aloud,
There is nobody who comes forward to ask why?
பேதை நான் அனாதையாய்
மண் மீது வாட நேர்ந்ததே....
I, an innocent girl, abandoned like an orphan,
Am destined to languish and wither on this earth.
இது சரியோ இது முறையோ இது நெறியோ
இது தருணம் உதவியே புரிகுவோர்
எவருமே இல்லையோ......
Is this right? Is this fair? Is this moral?
At this critical moment, those who offer assistance,
Is there no one at all...?
Muraiyo iraivaa
Is this justice, O Almighty Lord?
Bedhai naan anaathaiyaai
I, an innocent girl, abandoned like an orphan,
Mann meethu vaada naernthathae
Am destined to languish and wither on this earth.
Pedhai naan anaathaiyaai
I, an innocent girl, abandoned like an orphan,
Mann meethu vaada naernthathae
Am destined to languish and wither on this earth.
Aadhaaram illaa paavi mel
Upon a helpless sinner like me who has no support,
Anuthaabamullor illaiyae
Is there no one left who feels compassion?
Anbullam kondor illaiyae
Is there no one left who possesses a loving heart?
Pedhai naan anaathaiyaai
I, an innocent girl, abandoned like an orphan,
Thaavendru vanthu ketkkumun
Before anyone even comes asking to give,
Inthaavendru eentha naattilae
In this land that gave proactively saying here take this,
Naanindru kenji kadhariyum
Today, even as I beg and cry out aloud,
Yaenendru ketpaarillaiyae
There is nobody who comes forward to ask why?
Pedhai naan anaathaiyaai
I, an innocent girl, abandoned like an orphan,
Mann meethu vaada naernthathae
Am destined to languish and wither on this earth.
Idhu sariyo idhu muraiyo idhu neriyo
Is this right? Is this fair? Is this moral?
Idhu tharunam udhaviyae puriguvor
At this critical moment, those who offer assistance,
Evarum illaiyo…
Is there no one at all...?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Muraiyo iraivaa is a poignant lament sung by an innocent, helpless protagonist who feels abandoned by both God and society. The speaker questions divine justice and laments her fate of suffering on earth as an orphan without support or affection. She contrasts the historic generosity of her land—where people gave freely before being asked—with her current plight, where no one inquires after her distress despite her desperate cries. The song encapsulates deep sorrow and existential despair through rhetorical questions directed at God and humanity. The character questions the morality and righteousness of a world that turns a blind eye to suffering, pleading desperately for compassion at a moment of extreme need.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Rhetorical Question (Aina / Vinathal)
“Idhu sariyo idhu muraiyo idhu neriyo”
The speaker repeatedly questions God and humanity about justice and fairness to highlight deep sorrow and helplessness.
Antithesis (Muran)
“Thaavendru vanthu ketkkumun / Inthaavendru eentha naattilae”
Contrasts the historic culture of giving ('Inthaavendru') before asking ('Thaavendru') with the current apathy where even begging ('kenji kadhariyum') goes unheard.
Anaphora / Refrain
“Pedhai naan anaathaiyaai”
Repetition of the line 'Pedhai naan anaathaiyaai' anchors the emotional core of the song and emphasizes the speaker's isolation.
Second-letter Rhyme (Edugai)
“Idhu sariyo idhu muraiyo idhu neriyo”
The second consonant 'ru' rhymes in 'sariyo', 'muraiyo', and 'neriyo', creating a rhythmic cadence in distress.
Did you know?
Trivia
The 1954 film Kanavu featured legendary Carnatic vocalist M. L. Vasanthakumari delivering this emotional track. The movie's music was a combined effort by veteran composers V. Dakshinamoorthi and G. Ramanathan, featuring classic literary Tamil lyrics by A. Maruthakasi.
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