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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Poorva Jenmam Seidha

From Jaya Gopi · 1955

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
Chithoor Nagaiya
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Details
Jaya Gopi1955

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Yaedhaiyo mukthi yaedhaiyoSearching for some liberation, some salvation,
Dhanabakkiyam thediIn search of wealth and good fortune,
Intha vambu vanthathaeThis unwanted trouble came upon me.
Mazhalai suvaiyilIn the sweet joy of children,
Sugamung kaanaenI have experienced no happiness at all.
Male
Poorva jenmam seitha paapamithaanoIs this the result of sins committed in a past birth?
Pillaigal koottaththinFrom the crowd of children,
Kodumaigal thaalaenI cannot bear the suffering and turmoil.
Sugamae illai theeraa thollaiThere is no comfort, only endless affliction,
Saavu koorum en samsaarameethaeMy family life itself seems to beckon my death.
Yaedhaiyo mukthi yaedhaiyoSearching for some liberation, some salvation,
Male
Enthan paarvai saiththaanukku melaeMy plight/gaze is worse than that of Satan,
Pennendru emmidam vanthaalaeShe came to me appearing as a woman,
Aalae maanida arivae anjidaMaking human intelligence itself tremble,
Pennae aanena maari ponathaeThe woman transformed into a tyrant as if a man!
Male
Saathu naanae sanyaasam melaamI am a gentle soul; renunciation/asceticism is far superior,
Saavu koorum en samsaarameethaeMy family life itself seems to beckon my death.
Yaedhaiyo mukthi yaedhaiyoSearching for some liberation, some salvation,
Yaedhaiyo mukthi yaedhaiyo…Searching for some liberation, some salvation...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song presents a humorous yet sorrowful monologue of a householder tormented by the chaotic demands of domestic life, unruly children, and a formidable wife. Overwhelmed by daily household troubles, he laments that his current misery must be the karmic retribution for sins committed in a previous life. Finding no joy in family life, he ultimately contemplates renouncing worldly attachments for spiritual liberation.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Hyperbole

Saavu koorum en samsaarameethae

Exaggerates domestic misery by claiming that family life itself is actively calling for his death.

Irony & Humor

Yaedhaiyo mukthi yaedhaiyo

Presents severe existential concepts like 'Mukthi' (liberation) in a lighthearted, comical context of escaping mundane household chores.

Rhyme / Monorhyme (Iyaibu)

Sugamae illai theeraa thollai

Use of internal rhyming syllables in 'Sugamae illai theeraa thollai' to give the lyric a rhythmic musicality.

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Trivia

Composed by the legendary music director duo Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy with lyrics by Kannadasan, this song highlights Chittor V. Nagaiah's versatile singing talent in expressing satirical domestic frustration in 1950s Tamil cinema.

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