Pogathan Nadanthen Mudiyavillai
From Tharaasu · 1984
- Lyricist
- Puratchi Dasan
- Singer
- T. M. Soundararajan
- Music director
- M. S. Vishwanathan
- Details
- Tharaasu1984
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Pogaththaan nadanthaen mudiyavilai | I walked to leave, but I could not. |
| Ponaal ponadhuthaan thirumbi vandhaen | What is gone is gone, yet I returned. |
| Pogaththaan nadanthaen mudiyavilai | I walked to leave, but I could not. |
| Ponaal ponadhuthaan thirumbi vandhaen | What is gone is gone, yet I returned. |
| Vaazhaththaan ennugiren mudiyavilai | I wish to live, but I am unable to. |
| Vaazhubavarai parthaal thunivumilai…. | Looking at those who live, I lack the courage. |
| Male | |
| : Pogaththan nadanthaen mudiyavilai | I walked to leave, but I could not. |
| Ponaal ponadhuthaan thirumbi vandhaen | What is gone is gone, yet I returned. |
| Ponaal ponadhuthaan thirumbi vandhaen | What is gone is gone, yet I returned. |
| Male | |
| Ninaithathai solli kolla manitharilai | There are no human beings to share my thoughts with. |
| Yaarirundhu enna payan en manavi ilai | What is the use of anyone being around when my wife is no more? |
| Koduthathai vaangarthuko utraar ilai | There are no kith and kin to accept what is given. |
| Govendrezhudhaalum ketpaar ilai | Even if I write calling upon Lord Govinda, there is no one to listen. |
| Male | |
| Pogaththan nadanthaen mudiyavilai | I walked to leave, but I could not. |
| Ponaal ponadhuthaan thirumbi vandhaen | What is gone is gone, yet I returned. |
| Ponaal ponadhuthaan thirumbi vandhaen | What is gone is gone, yet I returned. |
| Male | |
| Thaayikku thalaimaganai piriththuvitaen | I separated the eldest son from his mother. |
| Thaarathai kaathaaga nan nenaithaen | I thought of my wife as the very air I breathe. |
| Thaayikku thalaimaganai piriththuvitaen | I separated the eldest son from his mother. |
| Thaarathai kaathaaga nan nenaithaen | I thought of my wife as the very air I breathe. |
| Kaiyai vittu pona pillai karnanaagi vittaan | The child who left my hands became a generous Karna. |
| Karnankku thambi oru kozhaiyaagittaan… | While Karna's younger brother became a coward... |
| Male | |
| Pogaththan nadanthaen mudiyavilai | I walked to leave, but I could not. |
| Ponaal ponadhuthaan thirumbi vandhaen | What is gone is gone, yet I returned. |
| Ponaal ponadhuthaan thirumbi vandhaen | What is gone is gone, yet I returned. |
| Male | |
| Unmai vazhi nadakkumpothu oomaiyaaginraen | When walking on the path of truth, I become mute. |
| Oomai nenju uruthum pothu udainthu pogiraen | When my mute heart pricks with guilt, I break down completely. |
| Theemai seitha manithanuku vaazhuvu yaethaiyaa | How can a man who did evil have a peaceful life? |
| Dhinam dhinam nonthu nonthu pothal thaanaiyaa…. | Agonizing day after day, death becomes the only eventual end. |
| Male | |
| Pogaththan nadanthaen mudiyavilai | I walked to leave, but I could not. |
| Ponaal ponadhuthaan thirumbi vandhaen | What is gone is gone, yet I returned. |
| Vaazhaththaan ennugiren mudiyavilai | I wish to live, but I am unable to. |
| Vaazhubavarai parthaal thunivumilai…. | Looking at those who live, I lack the courage. |
| Male | |
| Pogaththan nadanthaen mudiyavilai | I walked to leave, but I could not. |
| Ponaal ponadhuthaan thirumbi vandhaen | What is gone is gone, yet I returned. |
| Ponaal ponadhuthaan thirumbi vandhaen | What is gone is gone, yet I returned. |
போகத்தான் நடந்தேன் முடியவில்லை
போனால் போனதுதான் திரும்பி வந்தேன்
போகத்தான் நடந்தேன் முடியவில்லை
போனால் போனதுதான் திரும்பி வந்தேன்
வாழத்தான் எண்ணுகிறேன் முடியவில்லை
வாழ்பவரை பார்த்தால் துணிவுமில்லை.....
I walked to leave, but I could not.
What is gone is gone, yet I returned.
I walked to leave, but I could not.
What is gone is gone, yet I returned.
I wish to live, but I am unable to.
Looking at those who live, I lack the courage.
போகத்தான் நடந்தேன் முடியவில்லை
போனால் போனதுதான் திரும்பி வந்தேன்
போனால் போனதுதான் திரும்பி வந்தேன்
I walked to leave, but I could not.
What is gone is gone, yet I returned.
What is gone is gone, yet I returned.
நினைத்ததை சொல்லிக் கொள்ள மனிதரில்லை
யாரிருந்து என்ன பயன் என் மனைவி இல்லை
கொடுத்ததை வாங்குதற்கோ உற்றார் இல்லை
கோவென்றழுதாலும் கேட்பார் இல்லை
There are no human beings to share my thoughts with.
What is the use of anyone being around when my wife is no more?
There are no kith and kin to accept what is given.
Even if I write calling upon Lord Govinda, there is no one to listen.
போகத்தான் நடந்தேன் முடியவில்லை
போனால் போனதுதான் திரும்பி வந்தேன்
போனால் போனதுதான் திரும்பி வந்தேன்
I walked to leave, but I could not.
What is gone is gone, yet I returned.
What is gone is gone, yet I returned.
தாய்க்கு தலைமகனை பிரித்து விட்டேன்
தாரத்தை காத்ததாக நான் நினைத்தேன்
தாய்க்கு தலைமகனை பிரித்து விட்டேன்
தாரத்தை காத்ததாக நான் நினைத்தேன்
கையை விட்டு போன பிள்ளை கர்ணனாகி விட்டான்
கர்ணனுக்கு தம்பி ஒரு கோழையாகிட்டான்....
I separated the eldest son from his mother.
I thought of my wife as the very air I breathe.
I separated the eldest son from his mother.
I thought of my wife as the very air I breathe.
The child who left my hands became a generous Karna.
While Karna's younger brother became a coward...
போகத்தான் நடந்தேன் முடியவில்லை
போனால் போனதுதான் திரும்பி வந்தேன்
போனால் போனதுதான் திரும்பி வந்தேன்
I walked to leave, but I could not.
What is gone is gone, yet I returned.
What is gone is gone, yet I returned.
உண்மை வழி நடக்குபோது ஊமையாகின்றேன்
ஊமை நெஞ்சு உறுத்தும்போது உடைந்து போகிறேன்
தீமை செய்த மனிதனுக்கு வாழ்வு ஏதய்யா
தினம் தினம் நொந்து நொந்து போதல் தானய்யா.....
When walking on the path of truth, I become mute.
When my mute heart pricks with guilt, I break down completely.
How can a man who did evil have a peaceful life?
Agonizing day after day, death becomes the only eventual end.
போகத்தான் நடந்தேன் முடியவில்லை
போனால் போனதுதான் திரும்பி வந்தேன்
வாழத்தான் எண்ணுகிறேன் முடியவில்லை
வாழ்பவரை பார்த்தால் துணிவுமில்லை.....
I walked to leave, but I could not.
What is gone is gone, yet I returned.
I wish to live, but I am unable to.
Looking at those who live, I lack the courage.
போகத்தான் நடந்தேன் முடியவில்லை
போனால் போனதுதான் திரும்பி வந்தேன்
போனால் போனதுதான் திரும்பி வந்தேன்
I walked to leave, but I could not.
What is gone is gone, yet I returned.
What is gone is gone, yet I returned.
Pogaththaan nadanthaen mudiyavilai
I walked to leave, but I could not.
Ponaal ponadhuthaan thirumbi vandhaen
What is gone is gone, yet I returned.
Pogaththaan nadanthaen mudiyavilai
I walked to leave, but I could not.
Ponaal ponadhuthaan thirumbi vandhaen
What is gone is gone, yet I returned.
Vaazhaththaan ennugiren mudiyavilai
I wish to live, but I am unable to.
Vaazhubavarai parthaal thunivumilai….
Looking at those who live, I lack the courage.
: Pogaththan nadanthaen mudiyavilai
I walked to leave, but I could not.
Ponaal ponadhuthaan thirumbi vandhaen
What is gone is gone, yet I returned.
Ponaal ponadhuthaan thirumbi vandhaen
What is gone is gone, yet I returned.
Ninaithathai solli kolla manitharilai
There are no human beings to share my thoughts with.
Yaarirundhu enna payan en manavi ilai
What is the use of anyone being around when my wife is no more?
Koduthathai vaangarthuko utraar ilai
There are no kith and kin to accept what is given.
Govendrezhudhaalum ketpaar ilai
Even if I write calling upon Lord Govinda, there is no one to listen.
Pogaththan nadanthaen mudiyavilai
I walked to leave, but I could not.
Ponaal ponadhuthaan thirumbi vandhaen
What is gone is gone, yet I returned.
Ponaal ponadhuthaan thirumbi vandhaen
What is gone is gone, yet I returned.
Thaayikku thalaimaganai piriththuvitaen
I separated the eldest son from his mother.
Thaarathai kaathaaga nan nenaithaen
I thought of my wife as the very air I breathe.
Thaayikku thalaimaganai piriththuvitaen
I separated the eldest son from his mother.
Thaarathai kaathaaga nan nenaithaen
I thought of my wife as the very air I breathe.
Kaiyai vittu pona pillai karnanaagi vittaan
The child who left my hands became a generous Karna.
Karnankku thambi oru kozhaiyaagittaan…
While Karna's younger brother became a coward...
Pogaththan nadanthaen mudiyavilai
I walked to leave, but I could not.
Ponaal ponadhuthaan thirumbi vandhaen
What is gone is gone, yet I returned.
Ponaal ponadhuthaan thirumbi vandhaen
What is gone is gone, yet I returned.
Unmai vazhi nadakkumpothu oomaiyaaginraen
When walking on the path of truth, I become mute.
Oomai nenju uruthum pothu udainthu pogiraen
When my mute heart pricks with guilt, I break down completely.
Theemai seitha manithanuku vaazhuvu yaethaiyaa
How can a man who did evil have a peaceful life?
Dhinam dhinam nonthu nonthu pothal thaanaiyaa….
Agonizing day after day, death becomes the only eventual end.
Pogaththan nadanthaen mudiyavilai
I walked to leave, but I could not.
Ponaal ponadhuthaan thirumbi vandhaen
What is gone is gone, yet I returned.
Vaazhaththaan ennugiren mudiyavilai
I wish to live, but I am unable to.
Vaazhubavarai parthaal thunivumilai….
Looking at those who live, I lack the courage.
Pogaththan nadanthaen mudiyavilai
I walked to leave, but I could not.
Ponaal ponadhuthaan thirumbi vandhaen
What is gone is gone, yet I returned.
Ponaal ponadhuthaan thirumbi vandhaen
What is gone is gone, yet I returned.
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
Pogaththaan nadanthaen mudiyavilai is a melancholic Tamil film song expressing profound existential crisis, loneliness, and remorse. The narrator struggles between the desire to end his life or walk away from his troubles and his inability to actually do so. Bereft of his beloved wife and estranged from family, he feels completely isolated despite being surrounded by society. The lyrics reflect a heavy conscience burdened by past mistakes and broken relationships. The narrator realizes that wrongdoing brings incessant guilt and daily suffering, making life feel like an inescapable burden.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Metaphor
“Thaarathai kaathaaga nan nenaithaen”
Comparing the wife (Thaaram) to the air/breath (Kaathu) essential for survival.
Allusion
“Kaiyai vittu pona pillai karnanaagi vittaan”
Reference to Karna from Mahabharata to symbolize extreme nobility and sacrifice.
Ethukai (Second-letter rhyme)
“Unmai vazhi nadakkumpothu oomaiyaaginraen”
Rhyming of the second letter 'n' across consecutive lines (Unmai / Oomai).
Monaai (First-letter rhyming / Alliteration)
“Pogaththaan nadanthaen mudiyavilai / Ponaal ponadhuthaan thirumbi vandhaen”
Repetition of initial sound 'Po' in adjacent words/phrases.
Did you know?
Trivia
The film 'Tharaasu' (1984) featured music by the legendary composer M. S. Viswanathan with emotive rendition by T. M. Soundararajan. Written by Puratchi Dasan, the song stands out for its deep philosophical exploration of guilt, moral dilemma, and loneliness, delivered in TMS's signature powerful and grief-laden voice during the later phase of his career.
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