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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Piriya Vidai

From Piriyavidai · 1975

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
G. K. Venkatesh
Details
Piriyavidai1975

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Piriyaavidai meendum vanthathu velaiThe time for final farewell has arrived once again
Andrum idhayam azhuthathammaaBack then too, the heart wept, oh dear
Indrum edhaiyo izhanthathammaaToday as well, it lost something precious, oh dear
Piriyaavidai…..piriyaavidai….Parting farewell... parting farewell...
Female
Piriyaavidai vanthathu pillaigalae azhuvathennaThe final farewell has come, my children, why do you weep?
Niraintha vayathu varai vazhnthu vanthaenI have lived a full and complete life to a ripe old age
Enthan nizhalilae ummai valarththu vanthaenI raised you all under the comfort of my shadow
Peranai kannaal paarthuvittaenI have witnessed my grandson with my own eyes
Antha perumaiyilae kannai moodivittaenWith that immense pride, I have peacefully closed my eyes
Female
Mudinthathu kanakku kanneer edharkkuThe account of life is settled, why tears now?
Mudinthathu vazhakku kavalaigal edharkkuThe matter is concluded, why worry now?
Kannan perarul kidaiththathu enakkuI have received the supreme grace of Lord Krishna
Kangala thudaiththu kaariyam nadaththuWipe your tears and carry on with your duties
Female
Pachchai nilam pol vazhnthaval annaiA mother lived like a fertile green field
Pasumai valampol valarvathu thaaimaiMotherhood grows like lush prosperity
Piranthavai ellaam maraivathu thinnamIt is certain that everything born must fade away
Marainthavai meendum varuvathu thinnamIt is certain that what fades away will return again
Female
Kaalaththinaalae ndanthathai maranthuForget past sorrows with the passage of time
Naalaiya ulagam namakkena vaazhgaLive knowing that tomorrow's world belongs to us
Indrum varuvaen naalaiyum varuvaenI will visit today, and I will visit tomorrow as well
Thendral polae naan thinam varuvaenI will return every day like a gentle breeze
Female
Anbai valarththu panpaadu kanduNurture love and uphold cultural values
Uravinai potri oru dheepam yaettriCherish family bonds and light a bright lamp
Ottrumaiyaaga vaazhga ulagam pottrida vaazhgaLive in unity so that the whole world praises you
Piriyaavidai…..piriyaavidai….Parting farewell... parting farewell...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Piriyaavidai' is a deeply emotional yet philosophical farewell sung from the perspective of a deceased matriarch addressing her grieving children. She reassures them that she has lived a complete, fulfilling life—having raised her children and seen her grandson—and has now passed away peacefully with divine grace. She urges them not to shed tears over her departure, as death is merely the natural conclusion to a life well-lived. The lyrics convey timeless philosophical truths about the inevitability of death and the cycle of rebirth. The mother promises to remain with her family in spirit, comforting them like a gentle breeze. She advises her children to move past their sorrow, focus on their duties, maintain family unity, and uphold moral values, ensuring a harmonious and bright future.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Uvamai)

Thendral polae naan thinam varuvaen

Compares the mother's invisible, comforting spiritual presence to a soothing breeze ('thendral polae').

Simile (Uvamai)

Pachchai nilam pol vazhnthaval annai

Compares a mother's life to a fertile, nourishing green land ('pachchai nilam pol').

Parallelism and Rhyme (Iyaibu / Etukai)

Mudinthathu kanakku kanneer edharkku / Mudinthathu vazhakku kavalaigal edharkku

Uses parallel clause structure and end-rhyming questions ('edharkku') to highlight the futility of grieving.

Antithesis and Epiphora

Piranthavai ellaam maraivathu thinnam / Marainthavai meendum varuvathu thinnam

Contrasts birth/disappearance with rebirth while repeating the emphatic word 'thinnam' (certainty) to emphasize the eternal cycle of life.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by legendary music director G. K. Venkatesh with lyrics by Vaali, this song features the soulful voice of P. Susheela. It stands out in 1970s Tamil cinema for framing death not merely as a tragedy, but as a graceful, dignified transition rooted in Hindu philosophy and maternal blessing.

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