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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Poraduthe Idhayam

From Rusi · 1984

Lyricist
Na. Kamarasan
Singer
Malaysia Vasudevan
Music director
Gangai Amaran
Details
Rusi1984

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
……………....
Male
Poraaduthae idhayamThe heart is struggling
Irul polaanathae udhayamThe dawn has turned into darkness
Poraaduthae idhayamThe heart is struggling
Irul polaanathae udhayamThe dawn has turned into darkness
Idhu naalthorum theyum piraiThis is a waning moon that diminishes every day
Irul megangal moodum thiraiA curtain draped by dark clouds
Naanoru paaththiram naadagam aayiramI am a character in a thousand plays
Male
Poraaduthae idhayamThe heart is struggling
Irul polaanathae udhayamThe dawn has turned into darkness
Male
Ooraar pugazhil ennai maranthaenI forgot myself in the town's praise
Uravai pirinthaen kanavil mithanthaenI separated from my loved ones and floated in dreams
Ooraar pugazhil ennai maranthaenI forgot myself in the town's praise
Uravai pirinthaen kanavil mithanthaenI separated from my loved ones and floated in dreams
Engae en jenma thaagamWhere is my lifelong thirst?
Endrum theeraatha paavamAn unquenchable, eternal sin
Koondil vaanam thedum painkiliA sweet parrot in a cage searching for the sky
Male
Poraaduthae idhayamThe heart is struggling
Irul polaanathae udhayamThe dawn has turned into darkness
Male
Engo medai engo paadalSomewhere is the stage, somewhere is the song
Engo pogum vaazhkkai payanamTo somewhere goes life's journey
Kaalam veshangal podumTime puts on disguises and roles
Vesham kaalangal aagumThe disguise turns into ages
En paarvai ellaam mul mel poguthaeWherever my gaze falls, it feels like walking on thorns
Male
Poraaduthae idhayamThe heart is struggling
Irul polaanathae udhayamThe dawn has turned into darkness
Idhu naalthorum theyum piraiThis is a waning moon that diminishes every day
Irul megangal moodum thiraiA curtain draped by dark clouds
Naanoru paaththiram naadagam aayiramI am a character in a thousand plays
Male
Poraaduthae idhayamThe heart is struggling
Irul polaanathae udhayamThe dawn has turned into darkness

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Poraaduthae Idhayam from the movie Rusi (1984) is a deeply melancholic song portraying the protagonist's existential anguish and inner turmoil. Written by poet Na. Kamarasan and sung poignantly by Malaysia Vasudevan, the song reflects on how public fame and superficial success have alienated the protagonist from genuine human relationships and inner peace. The morning sun feels as dark as night, representing lost hope, while life is likened to performing in endless plays without a true sense of self or direction. The lyrics use rich metaphors, comparing the soul to a caged bird yearning for the sky and life to a waning moon covered by dark clouds. It expresses the tragic irony of living a life full of disguises where time moves forward aimlessly, leaving the protagonist walking on metaphorical thorns despite the applause of the world.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Uvamai)

Irul polaanathae udhayam

Compares the dawn (udhayam) to darkness (irul) using the comparative word 'pol'.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Naanoru paaththiram naadagam aayiram

Directly equates oneself to a dramatic character playing in a thousand theatrical plays.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Koondil vaanam thedum painkili

Compares the trapped human soul to a parrot in a cage searching for the open sky.

Anaphora / Repetition

Engo medai engo paadal / Engo pogum vaazhkkai payanam

Repetition of the word 'Engo' (Somewhere) at the beginning of consecutive lines to emphasize aimlessness.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song features music composed by Gangai Amaran with lyrics penned by the renowned Tamil poet Na. Kamarasan, known for integrating modern poetry techniques into film lyrics. Malaysia Vasudevan's rendition is lauded for capturing the dramatic existential dread inherent to the narrative of Rusi (1984).

Keep listening

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