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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Saareeram Illaamal

From Mythili Ennai Kaathali · 1986

Lyricist
T. Rajendar
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
T. Rajendar
Details
Mythili Ennai Kaathali1986

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Saareeram illaamal sangeethamaaIs there music without a voice?
Samsaaram illaamal santhoshamaaIs there happiness without a wife?
Saareeram illaamal sangeethamaaIs there music without a voice?
Samsaaram illaamal santhoshamaaIs there happiness without a wife?
Male
Kiliyae kiliyae engae ponaeOh parrot-like beloved, where have you gone?
Thookkam varaliyaeSleep eludes me.
Rathiyae rathiyae engae ponaeOh goddess of beauty, where have you gone?
Pasiye edukkaiyaeI have lost my appetite.
Male
Ada kiliyae kiliyae engae ponaeOh parrot-like beloved, where have you gone?
Thookkam varaliyaeSleep eludes me.
Rathiyae rathiyae engae ponaeOh goddess of beauty, where have you gone?
Pasiye edukkaiyaeI have lost my appetite.
Male
Unnai kaanaatha kannumthaanThe eyes that cannot behold you
Karunthelaagi kottuthuSting like a black scorpion.
Unnai paaraatha pozhuthumthaanThe time spent without seeing you
Verum Patharaagi ponathaeHas turned into mere empty chaff.
Male
Saareeram illaamal sangeethamaaIs there music without a voice?
Samsaaram illaamal santhoshamaaIs there happiness without a wife?
Male
Kiliyae kiliyae engae ponaeOh parrot-like beloved, where have you gone?
Thookkam varaliyaeSleep eludes me.
Rathiyae rathiyae engae ponaeOh goddess of beauty, where have you gone?
Pasiye edukkaiyaeI have lost my appetite.
Male
Unnai kaanaatha kannumthaanThe eyes that cannot behold you
Karunthelaagi kottuthuSting like a black scorpion.
Unnai paaraatha pozhuthumthaanThe time spent without seeing you
Verum Patharaagi ponathaeHas turned into mere empty chaff.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

In this expressive song composed and written by T. Rajendar for Mythili Ennai Kaathali, the protagonist laments the painful separation from his beloved spouse. He asserts that just as melody cannot exist without a voice, true happiness cannot exist without a wife. His anguish manifests in sleeplessness, loss of appetite, and a sense that time spent away from her is completely wasted like empty husk.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monaith Thodai (Alliteration)

Saareeram illaamal sangeethamaa / Samsaaram illaamal santhoshamaa

Repetition of the initial 'Sa' sound across words in the line creates a musical rhythm.

Uvamai (Metaphor/Simile)

Unnai kaanaatha kannumthaan / Karunthelaagi kottuthu

The pain in the eyes deprived of seeing the beloved is poetically compared to the intense venomous sting of a black scorpion.

Uvamai (Analogy)

Unnai paaraatha pozhuthumthaan / Verum Patharaagi ponathae

Time spent without the beloved is compared to 'patharu' (empty, useless grain chaff), symbolizing worthlessness.

Anaphora (Repetition for Emphasis)

Kiliyae kiliyae engae ponae / Rathiyae rathiyae engae ponae

Repetition of endearing terms 'Kiliyae' (parrot) and 'Rathiyae' (goddess of love) highlights intense longing.

Did you know?

Trivia

T. Rajendar multi-tasked as the director, actor, lyricist, and music composer for Mythili Ennai Kaathali (1986). The soundtrack became a massive commercial success, with SPB's passionate rendition of this song making it an iconic heartbreak anthem in 1980s Tamil cinema.

Keep listening

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