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Isaimozhi
Thodarum album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Sernthu Vaazhum Neram

From Thodarum · 1999

Lyricist
Arivumathi
Singer
Ilayaraja
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Thodarum
Movie release year
1999
Lyrics added on
15 Jul 2019

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Saerndhu vaazhum neram
Pirindhu povadhaa
Pirindhu sendru neeyum
Varundhi vaazhvadhaa
Saerndhu vaazhum neram
Pirindhu povadhaa
Pirindhu sendru neeyum
Varundhi vaazhvadhaa
Thodangaadha
Un vaazhkkai payanam
Adhu evvaaru indrodu mudiyum
Idhai enni paaru maanae
Saerndhu vaazhum neram
Pirindhu povadhaa
Pirindhu sendru neeyum
Varundhi vaazhvadhaa
Or nei vilakkai yetri vaithu
Nonbirundhu angae
Sumandhae magizhndhaai
Chella pillaiyae
Poi vilakkai thaan pidithu
Pogum vazhi engae
Unakkae theriyum unmai illaiyae
Idhu kodiya mazhaiyodu
Puyalum vilaiyaadum neramae
Ingu siridhu ilaippaari
Payanam thodarndhaaga vendumae
Un vazhikku thunai ellaam
Vaazhkkai thunaivanae mayilae
Saerndhu vaazhum neram
Pirindhu povadhaa
Pirindhu sendru neeyum
Varundhi vaazhvadhaa
Thodangaadha
Un vaazhkkai payanam
Adhu evvaaru indrodu mudiyum
Idhai enni paaru maanae
Saerndhu vaazhum neram
Pirindhu povadhaa
Pirindhu sendru neeyum
Varundhi vaazhvadhaa
O… ven thiraiyai pottu vittu
Naadagathai aadum
Iraivan virupam enna ennavo
Unai thanai moodi vaithu
Nee nadathum kolam
Thalaivan arindhaal thunbam allavo
Siru alli kodi ondru
Kalli chediyaagi pogumaa
Nalla mullai manam ondru
Paalai vanamaagi pogumaa
Idhu unadhu leelaiyaa
Illai vidhiyin velaiyaa sol
Saerndhu vaazhum neram
Pirindhu povadhaa
Pirindhu sendru neeyum
Varundhi vaazhvadhaa
Thodangaadha
Un vaazhkkai payanam
Adhu evvaaru indrodu mudiyum
Idhai enni paaru maanae
Saerndhu vaazhum neram
Pirindhu povadhaa
Pirindhu sendru neeyum
Varundhi vaazhvadhaa
When it is time to live together,
should you separate and go away?
After parting ways,
must you live in sorrow?
When it is time to live together,
should you separate and go away?
After parting ways,
must you live in sorrow?
Before it has even begun,
your journey of life—
how can it come to an end today?
Think about this, my dear.
When it is time to live together,
should you separate and go away?
After parting ways,
must you live in sorrow?
Lighting a ghee lamp
and fasting in prayer,
you joyfully carried
your darling child.
Holding on to a false light,
where does your path lead?
You yourself know this is not the truth.
This is a time when harsh rain
and fierce storms are raging.
Resting here for a little while,
you must still continue your journey.
The only companion for your path
is your partner in life, my dear.
When it is time to live together,
should you separate and go away?
After parting ways,
must you live in sorrow?
Before it has even begun,
your journey of life—
how can it come to an end today?
Think about this, my dear.
When it is time to live together,
should you separate and go away?
After parting ways,
must you live in sorrow?
Oh, pulling a white curtain
and staging this drama,
who knows what God's will is?
Hiding who you truly are,
this disguise you have put on—
if your husband finds out, won't it bring him grief?
Can a slender water lily vine
ever turn into a thorny cactus?
Can a sweet jasmine heart
ever turn into a barren desert?
Is this a game you play,
or is it the work of fate? Tell me.
When it is time to live together,
should you separate and go away?
After parting ways,
must you live in sorrow?
Before it has even begun,
your journey of life—
how can it come to an end today?
Think about this, my dear.
When it is time to live together,
should you separate and go away?
After parting ways,
must you live in sorrow?
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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.

Keep listening

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Varuven Naan Unadhu Maaligaiyin1957
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Pogathe Pogathe1963
Ratha ThilagamGriefSeparation
Travelling Soldier2001
BadriResilienceJourney
Pogathe Pogathe Vittu1999
AzhagarsamySeparationDevotion
Penne Oh Penne2014
Naan Sigappu ManithanDevotionTender

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