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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Pasiyaal Nonthene

From Amarakavi · 1952

Lyricist
Suratha
Singer
T. R. Rajakumari
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Details
Amarakavi1952

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Pasiyaalae nondhenaeI am deeply tormented by hunger,
Engae naan selvaenooWhere shall I go now?
Kaiyaendhi pizhaikkum kaalamA time where I must beg to survive,
Innaalil adaindhenaeI have reached on this day.
Aasai ellaam veenaeAll my desires have gone in vain,
Aasai ellaam veenaeAll my desires have gone in vain,
Aasai ellaam veenaeAll my desires have gone in vain.
Female
Penn jenmam vaedhanaiyaeTo be born a woman is sheer agony,
Dhinamae idhae kadhiyaeEvery single day, this is my tragic state.
Inaiyae illaa iraivaaO peerless God,
Inimael unnai allaamalFrom now on, except for You,
Thunai verae kaanaenaeI see no other support or savior.
Aasai ellaam veenaeAll my desires have gone in vain,
Aasai ellaam veenaeAll my desires have gone in vain,
Aasai ellaam veenaeAll my desires have gone in vain.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant song expresses extreme despair, helplessness, and the sorrow of poverty. The female protagonist laments her dire plight of suffering from severe hunger and being reduced to begging for survival. She reflects on the painful social reality and burdens of being a woman in distress, concluding that worldly desires are entirely futile. In her deepest despair, she turns her devotion toward the divine, recognizing God as her sole remaining shelter and companion.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Anaphora / Repetition (Adukkuthodar)

Aasai ellaam veenae

The phrase 'Aasai ellaam veenae' is repeated sequentially to forcefully emphasize despair, disappointment, and the utter futility of worldly hopes.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Inaiyae illaa iraivaa / Inimael unnai allaamal

Matching initial vowel sound 'I' across consecutive lines (Inaiyae / Inimael), enhancing the rhythmic flow of the prayer.

Pathos (Karuna Rasa)

Penn jenmam vaedhanaiyae

Use of evocative terms such as 'nondhenae' (tormented), 'vaedhanaiyae' (agony), and 'kadhiyae' (fate) to evoke a deep mood of sorrow and pathos.

Did you know?

Trivia

The 1952 film Amarakavi was a major release starring M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar and T. R. Rajakumari. Lyricist Suratha, renowned for his rich metaphors and pure Tamil phrasing, penned this soul-stirring track composed by legendary music director G. Ramanathan.

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