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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Pogum Paathai

From Amma Pillai · 1990

Lyricist
Poovai Senguttavan
Singer
K. J. Yesudas
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Movie name
Amma Pillai
Movie release year
1990
Lyrics added on
4 Aug 2021

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Pogum paadhai engae
Pogum oorum engae
Dhisaiyillaa kaattilae
Vidhi podum road-tilae
Sila kaalgal pogumae ingae
Pogum paadhai engae
Pogum oorum engae
Dhisaiyillaa kaattilae
Vidhi podum road-tilae
Sila kaalgal pogumae ingae
Pogum paadhai engae
Pogum oorum engae….ae…
Thanthaiyil paavamillai
Thaai nenjil kobamillai
Paavam intha pillaikooda
Paavam seiyavillai
Paasaththil yaengum thaaimai
Padhaviil vendum aaimai
Muththam thantha vaayaal thaaimai
Marana theerppu sollumo
Annaiyum veru pillaiyum
Veru thanthaiyum ingu veru
Pogum paadhai engae
Pogum oorum engae
Dhisaiyillaa kaattilae
Vidhi podum road-tilae
Sila kaalgal pogumae ingae
Pogum paadhai engae
Pogum oorum engae….ae…
Vidukadhaiyaana vaazhkkai
Vidaigalai thedum vetkai
Unmai konjam thookam kollum
Maranam kolvathillaiyae
Odangal vaangi vanthom
Nadhigalai kaanavillai
Oodai manalil oodam nindral
Oorai sendru serumo
Kaarththigai maadham nadhi vellam koodum
Oodam meendum oodum
Pogum paadhai engae
Pogum oorum engae
Dhisaiyillaa kaattilae
Vidhi podum road-tilae
Sila kaalgal pogumae ingae
Pogum paadhai engae
Pogum oorum engae….ae…
Where is the path heading?
Where is the town it leads to?
In a forest with no directions,
On the road laid out by fate,
Some feet walk along here.
Where is the path heading?
Where is the town it leads to?
In a forest with no directions,
On the road laid out by fate,
Some feet walk along here.
Where is the path heading?
Where is the destination...?
It is not the father's fault,
There is no anger in the mother's heart,
Even this poor child
Has done no wrong.
Motherhood yearns for affection,
Yet duty demands the truth.
With the very lips that gave kisses,
Can a mother pronounce a death sentence?
The mother is separated, the child is separated,
And the father here is separated too.
Where is the path heading?
Where is the town it leads to?
In a forest with no directions,
On the road laid out by fate,
Some feet walk along here.
Where is the path heading?
Where is the destination...?
Life has become a riddle,
With a deep longing to find the answers.
The truth may sleep for a while,
But it never dies.
We bought boats to sail,
Yet found no rivers.
If the boat is stuck in the dry stream's sand,
Will it ever reach its town?
In the rainy month of Karthigai, the river will overflow,
And the boat will sail again.
Where is the path heading?
Where is the town it leads to?
In a forest with no directions,
On the road laid out by fate,
Some feet walk along here.
Where is the path heading?
Where is the destination...?
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This poignant track from 'Amma Pillai' explores themes of existential lostness, destiny, and innocent suffering. The song uses metaphors of a directionless forest and roads paved by fate to convey the helplessness of an innocent child caught in fractured family bonds, where father, mother, and child have become estranged from one another.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monorhyme / Edhugai (Second-letter rhyming)

“Vidukadhaiyaana vaazhkkai / Vidaigalai thedum vetkai”

Matching second consonant 'd' sound in 'Vidukadhaiyaana' and 'Vidaigalai'.

Metaphor

“Vidukadhaiyaana vaazhkkai / Oodai manalil oodam nindral”

Comparing life to a riddle and stranded boats to human helplessness waiting for a flood (hope/time) to move again.

Anaphora / Repetition

“Pogum paadhai engae / Pogum oorum engae”

Repetition of the line 'Pogum paadhai engae / Pogum oorum engae' to emphasize aimlessness and loss.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Amma Pillai' (1990) was directed by R. C. Sakthi and featured music composed by Shankar-Ganesh. The film starred Ramki and Seetha in key roles.

Keep listening

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