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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Piraiye Piraiye

From Pithamagan · 2003

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
Madhu Balakrishnan
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Pithamagan2003

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Hmm…mm…hmmm…mmm…Vocal hums
Hmmm…mm…mm…Vocal hums
Male :Ahaa….aaa..haa..aaa…Male vocalization
Haaa…aaa…aaaa….Male vocalization
Haaa…aaa…haaa…aaa…Male vocalization
Male
Piraiyae piraiyaeOh crescent moon, crescent moon
Valarum piraiyaeOh growing crescent moon
Idhu nal varavaeThis is a welcome arrival
Malarae malaraeOh flower, flower
Malarndhaai malaraeYou bloomed, oh flower
Unakken thalarvaeWhy do you feel weary?
Male
Payanam evarkkum ingu mudiyumEveryone's journey ends here
Ingu pirandhaayoWere you born here for that?
Udhayam unakku ingu thodakkamIs a new dawn starting for you here?
Vizhigal thirandhaayoDid you open your eyes?
Male
Piraiyae piraiyaeOh crescent moon, crescent moon
Valarum piraiyaeOh growing crescent moon
Idhu nal varavaeThis is a welcome arrival
Male
Thannan thaniyanaagaAll alone by yourself
Mannil vara yenginaayoDid you long to come to this earth?
Enna thunichaloduWith what courage
Indha varam vaanginaayoDid you receive this boon?
Male
Solaiyil nindra podhilumEven if standing in a garden
Athu maalaiyae endra podhilumOr woven into a garland
Poovellaam endrum pookkalaeFlowers will always remain flowers
Ingu maaruma adhin peyargalaeWill their names change here?
Male
Kudisai enna seiyumWhat can a humble hut do?
Kottai enna seiyumWhat can a grand fort do?
Unnai maatruma..Will it change who you are?
Male
Piraiyae piraiyaeOh crescent moon, crescent moon
Valarum piraiyaeOh growing crescent moon
Idhu nal varavaeThis is a welcome arrival
Malarae malaraeOh flower, flower
Malarndhaai malaraeYou bloomed, oh flower
Unakken thalarvaeWhy do you feel weary?
Male
Oorvalangal ellaamAll funeral processions
Varum unnai nokki dhaanaeHead towards you alone
Oorum uravum yedhuWhat does hometown or relation matter?
Ellaam unakku ondru dhaanaeEverything is the same to you
Male
Panathilae dhinam purandavarThose who daily wallow in money
Perum padhaviyil thalai kanathavarThose arrogant with high positions
Pugazhilae ellai ponavarThose who reached the peak of fame
Nilai uyarndhavar adhil thaazhndhavarThose of high status and low status
Male
Indha bedham ellaamAll these social distinctions
Vendhu poga kanduSeeing them burn to ashes
Thelindha manidhan nee..You are the enlightened human who understands this truth
Male
Piraiyae piraiyaeOh crescent moon, crescent moon
Valarum piraiyaeOh growing crescent moon
Idhu nal varavaeThis is a welcome arrival
Malarae malaraeOh flower, flower
Malarndhaai malaraeYou bloomed, oh flower
Unakken thalarvaeWhy do you feel weary?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Piraiyae Piraiyae is a philosophical song from Bala's critically acclaimed Tamil film Pithamagan (2003), composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja and written by Vaali. The song is addressed to the lead character Chithan (played by Vikram), an orphan raised in a cremation ground detached from human society. Metaphorically comparing him to a growing crescent moon and a blooming flower, the lyrics reflect on the ultimate vanity of human life, wealth, power, and social status.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagamm)

Piraiyae piraiyae / Valarum piraiyae

Compares the protagonist to a growing crescent moon (Piraiyae) and a flower (Malarae), symbolizing pure innocence amidst gloom.

Anaphora (Adukku Thodar)

Malarae malarae / Malarndhaai malarae

Repetition of words like 'Piraiyae piraiyae' and 'Malarae malarae' for emotional emphasis and rhythmic structure.

Anthesis & Parallelism (Muran)

Kudisai enna seiyum / Kottai enna seiyum

Contrasts 'Kudisai' (hut) and 'Kottai' (fort) to illustrate that material status loses meaning before death.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although listed as unknown in the prompt, the song was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja and sung by Madhu Balakrishnan. Vikram won the National Film Award for Best Actor for his role as Chithan in Pithamagan.

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