Sernthu Vaazhum Neram
From Thodarum · 1999
- Lyricist
- Arivumathi
- Singer
- Ilayaraja
- Music director
- Ilayaraja
- Details
- Thodarum1999
Lyrics & meaning
| ♫ Tanglish lyrics | ↻ English translation |
|---|---|
| Male | |
| Saerndhu vaazhum neram | When it is time to live together, |
| Pirindhu povadhaa | Are you going to separate? |
| Pirindhu sendru neeyum | Will you go away after parting, |
| Varundhi vaazhvadhaa | And live in deep sorrow? |
| Male | |
| Saerndhu vaazhum neram | When it is time to live together, |
| Pirindhu povadhaa | Are you going to separate? |
| Pirindhu sendru neeyum | Will you go away after parting, |
| Varundhi vaazhvadhaa | And live in deep sorrow? |
| Male | |
| Thodangaadha | Having not even begun, |
| Un vaazhkkai payanam | Your life's journey, |
| Adhu evvaaru indrodu mudiyum | How can it end today? |
| Idhai enni paaru maanae | Ponder upon this, my dear one! |
| Male | |
| Saerndhu vaazhum neram | When it is time to live together, |
| Pirindhu povadhaa | Are you going to separate? |
| Pirindhu sendru neeyum | Will you go away after parting, |
| Varundhi vaazhvadhaa | And live in deep sorrow? |
| Male | |
| Or nei vilakkai yetri vaithu | Lighting a lamp of ghee, |
| Nonbirundhu angae | Observing penance there, |
| Sumandhae magizhndhaai | You bore it joyfully, |
| Chella pillaiyae | Oh beloved child! |
| Male | |
| Poi vilakkai thaan pidithu | Holding only a false lamp, |
| Pogum vazhi engae | Where is the path you tread? |
| Unakkae theriyum unmai illaiyae | Don't you yourself know the truth? |
| Male | |
| Idhu kodiya mazhaiyodu | This is a time when harsh rain |
| Puyalum vilaiyaadum neramae | And severe storm play together; |
| Ingu siridhu ilaippaari | Rest here a little while, |
| Payanam thodarndhaaga vendumae | And the journey must continue. |
| Un vazhikku thunai ellaam | Your companion on the path, |
| Vaazhkkai thunaivanae mayilae | Is your life partner, my peacock! |
| Male | |
| Saerndhu vaazhum neram | When it is time to live together, |
| Pirindhu povadhaa | Are you going to separate? |
| Pirindhu sendru neeyum | Will you go away after parting, |
| Varundhi vaazhvadhaa | And live in deep sorrow? |
| Male | |
| Thodangaadha | Having not even begun, |
| Un vaazhkkai payanam | Your life's journey, |
| Adhu evvaaru indrodu mudiyum | How can it end today? |
| Idhai enni paaru maanae | Ponder upon this, my dear one! |
| Male | |
| Saerndhu vaazhum neram | When it is time to live together, |
| Pirindhu povadhaa | Are you going to separate? |
| Pirindhu sendru neeyum | Will you go away after parting, |
| Varundhi vaazhvadhaa | And live in deep sorrow? |
| Male | |
| O… ven thiraiyai pottu vittu | Oh... dropping a white curtain, |
| Naadagathai aadum | Staging a play, |
| Iraivan virupam enna ennavo | What could God's desire be? |
| Unai thanai moodi vaithu | Veiling yourself completely, |
| Nee nadathum kolam | The drama you perform, |
| Thalaivan arindhaal thunbam allavo | If your husband finds out, won't it bring sorrow? |
| Male | |
| Siru alli kodi ondru | Can a delicate water lily vine |
| Kalli chediyaagi pogumaa | Turn into a thorny cactus plant? |
| Nalla mullai manam ondru | Can a sweet jasmine fragrance |
| Paalai vanamaagi pogumaa | Turn into a barren desert? |
| Idhu unadhu leelaiyaa | Is this your playful game, |
| Illai vidhiyin velaiyaa sol | Or the handiwork of fate? Tell me! |
| Male | |
| Saerndhu vaazhum neram | When it is time to live together, |
| Pirindhu povadhaa | Are you going to separate? |
| Pirindhu sendru neeyum | Will you go away after parting, |
| Varundhi vaazhvadhaa | And live in deep sorrow? |
| Male | |
| Thodangaadha | Having not even begun, |
| Un vaazhkkai payanam | Your life's journey, |
| Adhu evvaaru indrodu mudiyum | How can it end today? |
| Idhai enni paaru maanae | Ponder upon this, my dear one! |
| Male | |
| Saerndhu vaazhum neram | When it is time to live together, |
| Pirindhu povadhaa | Are you going to separate? |
| Pirindhu sendru neeyum | Will you go away after parting, |
| Varundhi vaazhvadhaa | And live in deep sorrow? |
சேர்ந்து வாழும் நேரம்
பிரிந்து போவதா
பிரிந்து சென்று நீயும்
வருந்தி வாழ்வதா
When it is time to live together,
Are you going to separate?
Will you go away after parting,
And live in deep sorrow?
சேர்ந்து வாழும் நேரம்
பிரிந்து போவதா
பிரிந்து சென்று நீயும்
வருந்தி வாழ்வதா
When it is time to live together,
Are you going to separate?
Will you go away after parting,
And live in deep sorrow?
தொடங்காத
உன் வாழ்க்கைப் பயணம்
அது எவ்வாறு இன்றோடு முடியும்
இதை எண்ணிப் பாரு மானே...
Having not even begun,
Your life's journey,
How can it end today?
Ponder upon this, my dear one!
சேர்ந்து வாழும் நேரம்
பிரிந்து போவதா
பிரிந்து சென்று நீயும்
வருந்தி வாழ்வதா
When it is time to live together,
Are you going to separate?
Will you go away after parting,
And live in deep sorrow?
ஓர் நெய்விளக்கை ஏற்றி வைத்து
நோன்பிருந்து அங்கே
சுமந்தே மகிழ்ந்தாய்
செல்லப் பிள்ளையே
Lighting a lamp of ghee,
Observing penance there,
You bore it joyfully,
Oh beloved child!
பொய் விளக்கைதான் பிடித்து
போகும் வழி எங்கே
உனக்கே தெரியும்
உண்மை இல்லையே
Holding only a false lamp,
Where is the path you tread?
Don't you yourself know the truth?
இது கொடிய மழையோடு
புயலும் விளையாடும் நேரமே
இங்கு சிறிது இளைப்பாறி
பயணம் தொடர்ந்தாக வேண்டுமே
உன் வழிக்கு துணை எல்லாம்
வாழ்க்கைத் துணைவனே மயிலே....
This is a time when harsh rain
And severe storm play together;
Rest here a little while,
And the journey must continue.
Your companion on the path,
Is your life partner, my peacock!
சேர்ந்து வாழும் நேரம்
பிரிந்து போவதா
பிரிந்து சென்று நீயும்
வருந்தி வாழ்வதா
When it is time to live together,
Are you going to separate?
Will you go away after parting,
And live in deep sorrow?
தொடங்காத
உன் வாழ்க்கைப் பயணம்
அது எவ்வாறு இன்றோடு முடியும்
இதை எண்ணிப் பாரு மானே...
Having not even begun,
Your life's journey,
How can it end today?
Ponder upon this, my dear one!
சேர்ந்து வாழும் நேரம்
பிரிந்து போவதா
பிரிந்து சென்று நீயும்
வருந்தி வாழ்வதா
When it is time to live together,
Are you going to separate?
Will you go away after parting,
And live in deep sorrow?
ஓ... வெண் திரையை போட்டு விட்டு
நாடகத்தை ஆடும்
இறைவன் விருப்பம் என்ன என்னவோ
உண்மை தனை மூடி வைத்து
நீ நடத்தும் கோலம்
தலைவன் அறிந்தால் துன்பம் அல்லவோ
Oh... dropping a white curtain,
Staging a play,
What could God's desire be?
Veiling yourself completely,
The drama you perform,
If your husband finds out, won't it bring sorrow?
சிறு அல்லிக்கொடி ஒன்று
கள்ளிச் செடியாகிப் போகுமா
நல்ல முல்லை மனம் ஒன்று
பாலை வனமாகிப் போகுமா
இது உனது லீலையா
இல்லை விதியின் வேலையா சொல்
Can a delicate water lily vine
Turn into a thorny cactus plant?
Can a sweet jasmine fragrance
Turn into a barren desert?
Is this your playful game,
Or the handiwork of fate? Tell me!
சேர்ந்து வாழும் நேரம்
பிரிந்து போவதா
பிரிந்து சென்று நீயும்
வருந்தி வாழ்வதா
When it is time to live together,
Are you going to separate?
Will you go away after parting,
And live in deep sorrow?
தொடங்காத
உன் வாழ்க்கைப் பயணம்
அது எவ்வாறு இன்றோடு முடியும்
இதை எண்ணிப் பாரு மானே...
Having not even begun,
Your life's journey,
How can it end today?
Ponder upon this, my dear one!
சேர்ந்து வாழும் நேரம்
பிரிந்து போவதா
பிரிந்து சென்று நீயும்
வருந்தி வாழ்வதா
When it is time to live together,
Are you going to separate?
Will you go away after parting,
And live in deep sorrow?
Saerndhu vaazhum neram
When it is time to live together,
Pirindhu povadhaa
Are you going to separate?
Pirindhu sendru neeyum
Will you go away after parting,
Varundhi vaazhvadhaa
And live in deep sorrow?
Saerndhu vaazhum neram
When it is time to live together,
Pirindhu povadhaa
Are you going to separate?
Pirindhu sendru neeyum
Will you go away after parting,
Varundhi vaazhvadhaa
And live in deep sorrow?
Thodangaadha
Having not even begun,
Un vaazhkkai payanam
Your life's journey,
Adhu evvaaru indrodu mudiyum
How can it end today?
Idhai enni paaru maanae
Ponder upon this, my dear one!
Saerndhu vaazhum neram
When it is time to live together,
Pirindhu povadhaa
Are you going to separate?
Pirindhu sendru neeyum
Will you go away after parting,
Varundhi vaazhvadhaa
And live in deep sorrow?
Or nei vilakkai yetri vaithu
Lighting a lamp of ghee,
Nonbirundhu angae
Observing penance there,
Sumandhae magizhndhaai
You bore it joyfully,
Chella pillaiyae
Oh beloved child!
Poi vilakkai thaan pidithu
Holding only a false lamp,
Pogum vazhi engae
Where is the path you tread?
Unakkae theriyum unmai illaiyae
Don't you yourself know the truth?
Idhu kodiya mazhaiyodu
This is a time when harsh rain
Puyalum vilaiyaadum neramae
And severe storm play together;
Ingu siridhu ilaippaari
Rest here a little while,
Payanam thodarndhaaga vendumae
And the journey must continue.
Un vazhikku thunai ellaam
Your companion on the path,
Vaazhkkai thunaivanae mayilae
Is your life partner, my peacock!
Saerndhu vaazhum neram
When it is time to live together,
Pirindhu povadhaa
Are you going to separate?
Pirindhu sendru neeyum
Will you go away after parting,
Varundhi vaazhvadhaa
And live in deep sorrow?
Thodangaadha
Having not even begun,
Un vaazhkkai payanam
Your life's journey,
Adhu evvaaru indrodu mudiyum
How can it end today?
Idhai enni paaru maanae
Ponder upon this, my dear one!
Saerndhu vaazhum neram
When it is time to live together,
Pirindhu povadhaa
Are you going to separate?
Pirindhu sendru neeyum
Will you go away after parting,
Varundhi vaazhvadhaa
And live in deep sorrow?
O… ven thiraiyai pottu vittu
Oh... dropping a white curtain,
Naadagathai aadum
Staging a play,
Iraivan virupam enna ennavo
What could God's desire be?
Unai thanai moodi vaithu
Veiling yourself completely,
Nee nadathum kolam
The drama you perform,
Thalaivan arindhaal thunbam allavo
If your husband finds out, won't it bring sorrow?
Siru alli kodi ondru
Can a delicate water lily vine
Kalli chediyaagi pogumaa
Turn into a thorny cactus plant?
Nalla mullai manam ondru
Can a sweet jasmine fragrance
Paalai vanamaagi pogumaa
Turn into a barren desert?
Idhu unadhu leelaiyaa
Is this your playful game,
Illai vidhiyin velaiyaa sol
Or the handiwork of fate? Tell me!
Saerndhu vaazhum neram
When it is time to live together,
Pirindhu povadhaa
Are you going to separate?
Pirindhu sendru neeyum
Will you go away after parting,
Varundhi vaazhvadhaa
And live in deep sorrow?
Thodangaadha
Having not even begun,
Un vaazhkkai payanam
Your life's journey,
Adhu evvaaru indrodu mudiyum
How can it end today?
Idhai enni paaru maanae
Ponder upon this, my dear one!
Saerndhu vaazhum neram
When it is time to live together,
Pirindhu povadhaa
Are you going to separate?
Pirindhu sendru neeyum
Will you go away after parting,
Varundhi vaazhvadhaa
And live in deep sorrow?
Beyond the translation
Song interpretation
This poignant song revolves around themes of separation, marital life, and destiny. The speaker questions the beloved (or female protagonist) about why she is contemplating walking away when her life and journey together with her partner are just beginning. The lyrics implore her to reconsider ending a path before it has even started, highlighting how grief and suffering will follow if she chooses separation over togetherness.
Writing craft
Poetic devices
Emonai (Second-letter Rhyming)
“Saerndhu vaazhum neram / Pirindhu povadhaa”
The second consonant sound matches across consecutive lines, creating poetic harmony (e.g., Saerndhu / Pirindhu).
Metaphor (Uvamaani)
“Siru alli kodi ondru / Kalli chediyaagi pogumaa”
Comparing a pure, tender soul to a water lily vine ('alli kodi') or jasmine fragrance ('mullai manam'), and contrastingly comparing harsh adversity to a cactus ('kalli chedi') or desert ('paalai vanam').
Rhetorical Question
“Idhu unadhu leelaiyaa / Illai vidhiyin velaiyaa sol”
The speaker repeatedly uses questioning endings ('-aa') to evoke self-reflection and emotional questioning in the listener.
Did you know?
Trivia
The song features emotional lyricism by Arivumathi for the film 'Thodarum' (1999), starring Ajith Kumar, Devayani, and Heera, with music composed by Deva.
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