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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

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 mudiyavilaiI walked to leave, but I could not.
Ponaal ponadhuthaan thirumbi vandhaenWhat is gone is gone, yet I returned.
Pogaththaan nadanthaen mudiyavilaiI walked to leave, but I could not.
Ponaal ponadhuthaan thirumbi vandhaenWhat is gone is gone, yet I returned.
Vaazhaththaan ennugiren mudiyavilaiI wish to live, but I am unable to.
Vaazhubavarai parthaal thunivumilai….Looking at those who live, I lack the courage.
Male
: Pogaththan nadanthaen mudiyavilaiI walked to leave, but I could not.
Ponaal ponadhuthaan thirumbi vandhaenWhat is gone is gone, yet I returned.
Ponaal ponadhuthaan thirumbi vandhaenWhat is gone is gone, yet I returned.
Male
Ninaithathai solli kolla manitharilaiThere are no human beings to share my thoughts with.
Yaarirundhu enna payan en manavi ilaiWhat is the use of anyone being around when my wife is no more?
Koduthathai vaangarthuko utraar ilaiThere are no kith and kin to accept what is given.
Govendrezhudhaalum ketpaar ilaiEven if I write calling upon Lord Govinda, there is no one to listen.
Male
Pogaththan nadanthaen mudiyavilaiI walked to leave, but I could not.
Ponaal ponadhuthaan thirumbi vandhaenWhat is gone is gone, yet I returned.
Ponaal ponadhuthaan thirumbi vandhaenWhat is gone is gone, yet I returned.
Male
Thaayikku thalaimaganai piriththuvitaenI separated the eldest son from his mother.
Thaarathai kaathaaga nan nenaithaenI thought of my wife as the very air I breathe.
Thaayikku thalaimaganai piriththuvitaenI separated the eldest son from his mother.
Thaarathai kaathaaga nan nenaithaenI thought of my wife as the very air I breathe.
Kaiyai vittu pona pillai karnanaagi vittaanThe child who left my hands became a generous Karna.
Karnankku thambi oru kozhaiyaagittaan…While Karna's younger brother became a coward...
Male
Pogaththan nadanthaen mudiyavilaiI walked to leave, but I could not.
Ponaal ponadhuthaan thirumbi vandhaenWhat is gone is gone, yet I returned.
Ponaal ponadhuthaan thirumbi vandhaenWhat is gone is gone, yet I returned.
Male
Unmai vazhi nadakkumpothu oomaiyaaginraenWhen walking on the path of truth, I become mute.
Oomai nenju uruthum pothu udainthu pogiraenWhen my mute heart pricks with guilt, I break down completely.
Theemai seitha manithanuku vaazhuvu yaethaiyaaHow 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 mudiyavilaiI walked to leave, but I could not.
Ponaal ponadhuthaan thirumbi vandhaenWhat is gone is gone, yet I returned.
Vaazhaththaan ennugiren mudiyavilaiI wish to live, but I am unable to.
Vaazhubavarai parthaal thunivumilai….Looking at those who live, I lack the courage.
Male
Pogaththan nadanthaen mudiyavilaiI walked to leave, but I could not.
Ponaal ponadhuthaan thirumbi vandhaenWhat is gone is gone, yet I returned.
Ponaal ponadhuthaan thirumbi vandhaenWhat 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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