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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Raman Illadhu

From Thaali Dhanam · 1987

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singer
M. S. Vishwanathan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Thaali Dhanam1987

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Raman illadhu sreedevi ponaalIf Sreedevi goes without Raman,
Kaatrodu pogindra megangal aanaalShe becomes like clouds drifting away with the wind.
Raman illadhu sreedevi ponaalIf Sreedevi goes without Raman,
Kaatrodu pogindra megangal aanaalShe becomes like clouds drifting away with the wind.
Imaiyae mullaagum kaalangal unduThere are times when even the protective eyelash becomes a thorn,
Imaiyae mullaagum kaalangal unduThere are times when even the protective eyelash becomes a thorn.
Poi alla un vaazhkai aadhaaram indruIt is not a lie, your life's foundation exists today,
Poi alla un vaazhkai aadhaaram indruIt is not a lie, your life's foundation exists today.
Male
Raman illadhu sreedevi ponaalIf Sreedevi goes without Raman,
Kaatrodu pogindra megangal aanaalShe becomes like clouds drifting away with the wind.
Male
Guhanae ippodhu than pillai aanaanGuhan himself has now become her son,
Dharmathin thaaiyodu pinnaalae ponaanHe followed behind the mother of righteousness.
Guhanae ippodhu than pillai aanaanGuhan himself has now become her son,
Dharmathin thaaiyodu pinnaalae ponaanHe followed behind the mother of righteousness.
Ulagil ennaalum saagaathu paasamIn this world, genuine affection never perishes,
Ulagil ennaalum saagaathu paasamIn this world, genuine affection never perishes.
Engaenum or nenjil maaradhu vaazhumSomewhere in a heart, it lives on unchanged,
Engaenum or nenjil maaradhu vaazhumSomewhere in a heart, it lives on unchanged.
Male
Raman illadhu sreedevi ponaalIf Sreedevi goes without Raman,
Kaatrodu pogindra megangal aanaalShe becomes like clouds drifting away with the wind.
Male
Kaalai nerathil keezhvaanam sivakkumIn the morning hours, the eastern sky turns red,
Ponmaalai nerathil mel vaanam sivakkumIn the golden evening hours, the western sky turns red.
Kaalai nerathil keezhvaanam sivakkumIn the morning hours, the eastern sky turns red,
Ponmaalai nerathil mel vaanam sivakkumIn the golden evening hours, the western sky turns red.
Kaalam yaar yaarai engengu serkkumWhom and where time will bring together,
Kaalam yaar yaarai engengu serkkumWhom and where time will bring together,
Theermaanamaai solla aagathu yaarkkumNo one can ever state with absolute certainty,
Theermaanamaai solla aagathu yaarkkumNo one can ever state with absolute certainty.
Male
Raman illadhu sreedevi ponaalIf Sreedevi goes without Raman,
Kaatrodu pogindra megangal aanaalShe becomes like clouds drifting away with the wind.
Imaiyae mullaagum kaalangal unduThere are times when even the protective eyelash becomes a thorn,
Imaiyae mullaagum kaalangal unduThere are times when even the protective eyelash becomes a thorn.
Poi alla un vaazhkai aadhaaram indruIt is not a lie, your life's foundation exists today,
Poi alla un vaazhkai aadhaaram indruIt is not a lie, your life's foundation exists today.
Male
Raman illadhu sreedevi ponaalIf Sreedevi goes without Raman,
Kaatrodu pogindra megangal aanaalShe becomes like clouds drifting away with the wind.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant philosophical track explores themes of vulnerability, destiny, devotion, and the unyielding nature of love through rich epic symbolism. Drawing analogies from the Ramayana—comparing a woman separated from her soulmate to Sita wandering without Rama—the song expresses the helplessness of drifting through life without one's emotional anchor. It observes that in adverse times, even things meant to protect us (like an eyelash) can cause grief, yet the enduring foundation of righteousness and maternal affection remains eternal.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Uvamai)

Kaatrodu pogindra megangal aanaal

Compares a woman left without her companion to clouds being blown aimlessly by the wind.

Metaphor (Urvagam)

Imaiyae mullaagum kaalangal undu

Uses the image of an eyelash turning into a thorn to represent how protective figures or moments can unexpectedly cause deep pain during bad times.

Allusion (Ilakkiya Kurippu)

Guhanae ippodhu than pillai aanaan / Dharmathin thaaiyodu pinnaalae ponaan

References the mythological figures Raman, Sreedevi (Sita), and Guhan from the Ramayana to accentuate virtue, devotion, and destiny.

Visual Contrast & Imagery

Kaalai nerathil keezhvaanam sivakkum / Ponmaalai nerathil mel vaanam sivakkum

Contrasts the morning sky reddening in the east with the evening sky reddening in the west to illustrate time's perpetual shifts.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by the eminent Tamil poet Pulamaipithan for the 1987 film 'Thaali Dhanam', this song weaves classical Ramayana motifs (such as Guhan's filial devotion to Sita as a mother) into a contemporary social narrative about fate and endurance.

Keep listening

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