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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Rathrikku Konjam

From Kaalaiyum Neeye Maalaiyum Neeye · 1988

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
K. J. Yesudas
Music director
Devendran
Details
Kaalaiyum Neeye Maalaiyum Neeye1988

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Raaththirikku konjam ooththikkiraenI pour a little drink for myself tonight
Nontha manasa konjam thaeththikkiraenI comfort my aching, broken heart a little
Raaththirikku konjam ooththikkiraenI pour a little drink for myself tonight
Nontha manasa konjam thaeththikkiraenI comfort my aching, broken heart a little
Male
Sollaamal thavichchu sogaththil thudichchenI suffered without telling anyone, writhing in sorrow
Ellaamae nenaichchu yaekkaththil kudichchenThinking of everything, I drank out of longing
Nenjukkul naanae azhugiraenI weep internally within my own heart
Male
Raaththirikku konjam ooththikkiraenI pour a little drink for myself tonight
Nontha manasa konjam thaeththikkiraenI comfort my aching, broken heart a little
Male
Maanikka thottil katti meththathaan virichchaeYou tied a ruby cradle and spread out a soft bed
Thaalaattu paattu padichchaeYou sang a sweet lullaby
Naalum kannu muzhichchaeYou stayed awake every single day
Maaraappil enna moodi paalaththaan koduththaeYou covered me with your garment and nursed me with milk
Aalaakku enna valaththaeYou raised me up to be a complete person
Vaazha uyir koduththaeYou gave your own life so I could live
Male
Kaalam seitha kolamithuThis is the tragic play of time
Kuththaththai yaar mael solluvathuWhom can I blame for this fault?
Kaalam seitha kolamithuThis is the tragic play of time
Kuththaththai yaar mael solluvathuWhom can I blame for this fault?
Ammaadi enna seiya mannikkanum ennathaanOh mother, what can I do? Please forgive me
Yaarkitta solli azhuvaenTo whom can I express my tears and cry?
Male
Raaththirikku konjam ooththikkiraenI pour a little drink for myself tonight
Nontha manasa konjam thaeththikkiraenI comfort my aching, broken heart a little
Male
Kann kettu pona pinbu dheivaththa arinjaenOnly after losing my sight did I realize God
Yaekkaththil ninnu thuthichchen yaengi nenju kodhichchenI prayed standing in longing, my heart boiled with yearning
Kai vittu pona selvam meendumthaan varumaaWill the lost treasure that slipped away ever return?
Kaayangal aari vidumaa kaalam maari varumaaWill the wounds heal, and will time change?
Male
Irunda vaanam velukkumaaWill the dark sky brighten up?
Nenjukku amathi kidaikkumaaWill my heart ever find peace?
Irunda vaanam velukkumaaWill the dark sky brighten up?
Nenjukku amathi kidaikkumaaWill my heart ever find peace?
Ammaadi enna seiyya mannikkanum ennathaanOh mother, what can I do? Please forgive me
Yaarkitta solli azhuvaenTo whom can I express my tears and cry?
Male
Raaththirikku konjam ooththikkiraenI pour a little drink for myself tonight
Nontha manasa konjam thaeththikkiraenI comfort my aching, broken heart a little
Sollaamal thavichchu sogaththil thudichchenI suffered without telling anyone, writhing in sorrow
Ellaamae nenaichchu yaekkaththil kudichchenThinking of everything, I drank out of longing
Nenjukkul naanae azhugiraenI weep internally within my own heart
Male
Raaththirikku konjam ooththikkiraenI pour a little drink for myself tonight
Nontha manasa konjam thaeththikkiraenI comfort my aching, broken heart a little
Raaththirikku konjam ooththikkiraenI pour a little drink for myself tonight
Nontha manasa konjam thaeththikkiraenI comfort my aching, broken heart a little

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a deeply emotional, tragic lament sung by a protagonist who seeks refuge in alcohol during the dark hours of the night to numb their profound pain and regret. Overcome by grief and nostalgia, the character remembers the selfless love, sacrifices, and care of a maternal figure who dedicated her life to raising them, contrasting it with their current state of ruin and despair.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Sollaamal thavichchu sogaththil thudichchen / Ellaamae nenaichchu yaekkaththil kudichchen

The lines end with matching rhyming suffixes, creating a rhythmic flow that emphasizes emotional despair.

Metaphor (Uvamaani)

Kaalam seitha kolamithu

Time/destiny is metaphorically described as a 'Kolam' (a traditional drawn pattern or design), representing the intricate and uncontrollable twists of fate.

Proverbial Imagery (Pazhamozhi Kakshi)

Kann kettu pona pinbu dheivaththa arinjaen

Uses the classic idiom of realizing divine truth only after losing sight, symbolizing late realization and repentance.

Did you know?

Trivia

This emotional song features in the 1988 Tamil film 'Kaalaiyum Neeye Maalaiyum Neeye', directed by R. Sundarrajan and starring Vijayakanth, Prabhu, and Radhika. The film's soundtrack was composed by Devendran, with lyrics written by the prolific lyricist Vaali.

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