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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Pudhu Cheri Katcheri (Sad)

From Singaravelan · 1992

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Singaravelan1992

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Varacholli inneramAsking me to come at this time,
Vanakuyil azaiththadhu vandhenThe forest cuckoo called, so I came.
Kurai solli ippodhuFinding faults with me now,
Virattida theruvinil nindrenAs I was chased away, I stood on the street.
Male
Azugayai kannodu adakkidaTo suppress tears within my eyes
Ninaikkayil naanumEven as I try to do so,
Yenakena kanneraiShedding tears for my sake,
Vadikkidhu vadikkidhu vaanamThe sky is pouring and weeping rain.
Male
Unai ninaiththuThinking of you,
Uyir thudiththuMy soul pulsing with passion,
Dhinam dhinam naanDay after day, I
Isai padiththenPracticed my music.
Unadhazagai vizhi irandaalYour beauty, with my two eyes,
Azhagazhagaai silai vadiththenI beautifully sculpted into a statue.
Male
Kalangam illadha kaadhalA love without any blemish,
Pizhaigal illadha paadalA song without any flaws,
Idayil undaana oodalA minor lovers' quarrel in between,
Nijangal aagaadhu kaanalA mirage can never become reality.
Vaarththai poiyaagumWords may turn into lies,
Vaazhkkai poiyaagumLife itself may turn into a lie,
Kaadhal poiyaavadhaedhuHow can true love ever become false?
Male
{Pudhucheri katcheri…{Pondicherry concert…
Pudhucheri katcheriPondicherry concert,
Ekkachakka party onnu pudichenI caught hold of a grand music troupe,
Pudhu tiger aachaariLike the legendary Tiger Varadachari,
Varadhaachaari pola padichen}I sang like Varadachari.}

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song depicts the emotional pain of rejection contrasted against deep devotion to love and music. The protagonist laments being summoned by his beloved only to be turned away and left on the street. In his sorrow, he perceives the raining sky as weeping tears along with him, yet he holds firm to the belief that his artistic expression and love remain pure, unblemished, and eternal even if words and life prove deceptive.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Personification

Yenakena kannerai vadikkidhu vadikkidhu vaanam

The sky is personified as crying tears of rain in empathy with the heartbroken protagonist.

Anaphora / Antistrophe (Iyaibu)

Vaarththai poiyaagum / Vaazhkkai poiyaagum

The repetition of 'poiyaagum' at the end of consecutive phrases creates poetic rhythm and emphasizes the contrast between worldly falsehoods and genuine love.

Metaphor

Nijangal aagaadhu kaanal

The misunderstanding between the lovers is metaphorically compared to a mirage ('kaanal') that can never hold true reality.

Did you know?

Trivia

The music for Singaravelan (1992) was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics written by Vaali. The song famously incorporates humorous classical music references ('Pudhucheri Katcheri' and 'Tiger Varadachari') contrasting with the deeply emotional melody.

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