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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Silar Siripar Silar Azhuvar

From Paava Mannippu · 1961

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Details
Paava Mannippu1961

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Kaalam pala kadanthuAfter many years have passed
Annai mugam kandenaeI saw my mother's face
Kaneerum punnagaiyumTears and smiles
Kalanthu vara nindrenae…ae…Mixed together, I stood...
Male
Ondru pada vazhiyilayaeThere is no way to unite
Unmaikku mozhi illaiyae…aaee…There is no language for the truth...
Ullam thiranthu oru solOpening my heart to speak even a single word
Solvatharkkum mudiyalayae..ae…ae…I am unable to say it...
Male
Silar sirippaar silar azhuvaarSome will laugh, some will cry
Naan sirithukkondae azhukindrenI am crying while laughing
Silar sirippaar silar azhuvaarSome will laugh, some will cry
Naan sirithukkondae azhukindrenI am crying while laughing
Male
Silar azhuvaar silar sirippaarSome will cry, some will laugh
Naan azhuthukondae sirikkindrenI am laughing while crying
Silar sirippaar silar azhuvaarSome will laugh, some will cry
Naan sirithukkondae azhukindrenI am crying while laughing
Male
Paasam nenjil mothumAffection surges in the heart
Antha paathaiyai baethangal moodumDifferences cover that path
Paasam nenjil mothumAffection surges in the heart
Antha paathaiyai baethangal moodumDifferences cover that path
Uravai enni sirikkindrenThinking of the relationship, I laugh
Urimaiyillaamal azhukindrenLacking rights, I cry
Male
: Silar azhuvaar silar sirippaarSome will cry, some will laugh
Naan azhuthukondae sirikkindrenI am laughing while crying
Silar sirippaar silar azhuvaarSome will laugh, some will cry
Naan sirithukkondae azhukindrenI am crying while laughing
Male
Karunai pongum ullamA heart overflowing with mercy
Athu kadavul vaazhum illamThat is the home where God resides
Karunai maranthae vaazhgindraarForgetting mercy, people live
Kadavulaithaedi alaigindraarSeeking God, they wander
Male
Silar azhuvaar silar sirippaarSome will cry, some will laugh
Naan azhuthukondae sirikkindrenI am laughing while crying
Male
Kaalam orunaal maarumTime will change one day
Nam kavalaigal yaavum theerumAll our worries will end
Kaalam orunaal maarumTime will change one day
Nam kavalaigal yaavum theerumAll our worries will end
Varuvathai enni sirikkindrenThinking of what is to come, I laugh
Vanthathai enni azhukindrenThinking of what has passed, I cry
Male
Silar azhuvaar silar sirippaarSome will cry, some will laugh
Naan azhuthukondae sirikkindrenI am laughing while crying
Silar sirippaar silar azhuvaarSome will laugh, some will cry
Naan sirithukkondae azhukindrenI am crying while laughing

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Silar Sirippaar Silar Azhuvaar from Paava Mannippu (1961) is a classic Tamil philosophical song penned by Kaviarasar Kannadasan. The lyrics depict the deep psychological dilemma of a person who is reunited with loved ones yet constrained by circumstances from revealing his true identity. It expresses the complex duality of human emotion, where joy and sorrow coexist simultaneously, driving one to laugh through tears and cry through laughter. The song offers deep commentary on human nature and spiritual ignorance, noting how people wander in search of God while overlooking the compassion within human hearts. Ultimately, it ends on an optimistic note, assuring that time is a great healer and that all worldly worries will eventually fade away.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Paradox / Oxymoron (Muran)

Naan sirithukkondae azhukindren

Juxtaposition of opposing actions 'crying' and 'laughing' simultaneously to describe complex emotional distress.

Antithesis

Silar sirippaar silar azhuvaar

Contrasting two opposing reactions of different groups of people in society.

Etukai (Second letter rhyming)

Karunai pongum ullam / Kadavul vaazhum illam

The second consonant sound 'ru' matches across adjacent lines.

Parallelism / Morphological Contrast

Varuvathai enni sirikkindren / Vanthathai enni azhukindren

Parallel sentence structures contrasting the future ('Varuvathai') with the past ('Vanthathai').

Did you know?

Trivia

Paava Mannippu (1961) features legendary music by Viswanathan-Ramamoorthy and vocals by T. M. Soundararajan. Kannadasan's lyrics for this film are widely regarded as a high point in Tamil cinema, blending philosophical wisdom with intense dramatic emotion.

Keep listening

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