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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Santhosham Kaanaadha Male

From Vasanthi · 1988

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
K. J. Yesudas
Music director
Chandrabose
Details
Vasanthi1988

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Chorus
Aaa…..aaa….aa….aa….aa….Aaa... aaa... aa... aa... aa...
Male
Santhosham kaanaatha vaazhvundaaIs there any life that has never seen happiness?
Sangeetham paadaatha aarunudaaIs there any river that does not sing music?
Oru thunbam vanthaal adhai inbam endruIf sorrow comes, treating it as joy,
Enni vaazhnthuvittaalIf one learns to live with that mindset,
Male
Santhosham kaanaatha vaazhvundaaIs there any life that has never seen happiness?
Sangeetham paadaatha aarunudaa….aa….Is there any river that does not sing music?
Chorus
Aaa…..aaa….aa….aa….aa….Aaa... aaa... aa... aa... aa...
Male
Thennaiyin keetru vizhavillai endraalIf the old fronds of a coconut tree do not fall,
Thennaikku endrum valarchchi illaiThe coconut tree will never experience growth.
Thangaththai theeyil sudavillai endraalIf gold is not burnt in the furnace fire,
Mangaiyar sooda nagaiyum illaiThere are no ornaments for women to wear.
Male
Pirappathil kooda thuyar irukkumEven in the act of birth, there is suffering,
Penmaikku pavam sumai irukkumWomanhood carries its own inherent burdens.
Vali vanthu thaanae vazhi pirakkumOnly when pain arrives does a new path emerge.
Male
Santhosham kaanaatha vaazhvundaaIs there any life that has never seen happiness?
Chorus
……………….....
Male
Paasangal pothum paarvaigal pothumAffection is enough, a compassionate glance is enough,
Paalaiyil neerum suranthu varumEven in the desert, water will spring forth.
Punnagai pothum poo mozhi pothumA smile is enough, gentle floral words are enough,
Porgalum kooda mudinthuvidumEven destructive wars will come to an end.
Male
Paadhaiyai anbae thiranthu vidumLove alone will open up the pathway,
Paaraiyum pazhamaai kaninthuvidumEven a hard rock will soften like a ripe fruit.
Vaazhkkaiyin aazham vilangividumThe true depth of life will then be understood.
Male
Santhosham kaanaatha vaazhvundaaIs there any life that has never seen happiness?
Sangeetham paadaatha aarunudaaIs there any river that does not sing music?
Oru thunbam vanthaal adhai inbam endruIf sorrow comes, treating it as joy,
Enni vaazhnthuvittaalIf one learns to live with that mindset,
Male
Santhosham kaanaatha vaazhvundaaIs there any life that has never seen happiness?
Sangeetham paadaatha aarunudaa….aa….Is there any river that does not sing music?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This soulful, philosophical song from the 1988 movie 'Vasanthi' encourages resilience and optimism in the face of life's struggles. Lyricist Vairamuthu uses vivid imagery from nature to illustrate that pain is essential for growth. Just as a coconut tree grows only when its old fronds fall, and gold turns into fine jewelry only after enduring intense heat, human character and joy are shaped through trials. The lyrics emphasize that love, kind words, and affection hold the power to melt hardship, end conflicts, and reveal the true depth of human existence.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Analogy (Upamāna)

Thennaiyin keetru vizhavillai endraal / Thennaikku endrum valarchchi illai

Uses the natural process of old leaves falling from a palm tree as an analogy for shedding past pain to achieve growth.

Metaphor

Thangaththai theeyil sudavillai endraal / Mangaiyar sooda nagaiyum illai

Compares human suffering and spiritual refinement to raw gold being purified in fire to become fine jewelry.

Personification

Sangeetham paadaatha aarunudaa

Attributes the human act of singing music to the flowing motion of a river.

Alliteration (Mohnai / Edhukai)

Paasangal pothum paarvaigal pothum

Rhythmic repetition of the initial consonant 'P' across consecutive lines (Paasangal, paarvaigal, paalaiyil, punnagai, poo).

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Vasanthi' (1988) starred Mohan, Seetha, and Gautami, with music composed by Chandrabose. Sung beautifully by K. J. Yesudas, this song stands out as one of the fine philosophical tracks of late 1980s Tamil cinema, often praised for Vairamuthu's insightful lyricism.

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