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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Sondhangal Vaazhkkaiyil Yaaro

From Anbu Chinnam · 1989

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
Mano
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Anbu Chinnam1989

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Sondhangal vaazhkkaiyil yaaroWho are relatives in life?
Sevvaana megangal thaanoAre they merely clouds in the red evening sky?
Sondhangal vaazhkkaiyil yaaro haeiWho are relatives in life, hey?
Sevvaana megangal thaanoAre they merely clouds in the red evening sky?
Naalum ennodu nadakkum pinnoduDaily they walk with me, following behind me.
Megam vazhangum raagam muzhangumClouds offer melodies, music resonates.
Naan oru paadagan enakkenna varuthamI am a singer, what sorrow do I have?
Male
Sondhangal vaazhkkaiyil yaaroWho are relatives in life?
Sevvaana megangal thaanoAre they merely clouds in the red evening sky?
Sondhangal vaazhkkaiyil yaaro haeiWho are relatives in life, hey?
Sevvaana megangal thaano haaa…Are they merely clouds in the red evening sky, haaa...
Male
Sondhangal vaazhkkaiyil yaaroWho are relatives in life?
Sevvaana megangal thaano haa haaAre they merely clouds in the red evening sky, haa haa?
Sondhangal vaazhkkaiyil yaaro haeiWho are relatives in life, hey?
Sevvaana megangal thaanoAre they merely clouds in the red evening sky?
Adadaa engaeyum azhagin sangeethamAha, everywhere there is the music of beauty!
Adhanaal enakkum adhan mel mayakkamTherefore, I too am captivated by it.
Idhayathil surakkum ilamaiyin kavidhaigalaePoems of youth spring forth from the heart!
Male
Sondhangal vaazhkkaiyil yaaroWho are relatives in life?
Sevvaana megangal thaano haaAre they merely clouds in the red evening sky, haa?
Sondhangal vaazhkkaiyil yaaroWho are relatives in life?
Sevvaana megangal thaano oooAre they merely clouds in the red evening sky, ooo?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song reflects philosophically on the impermanent nature of human relationships, comparing them to evening crimson clouds that drift by beautifully yet briefly. The singer finds comfort in art, music, and nature, choosing detachment over sorrow and recognizing that true companionship comes from the melody of life itself.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Sevvaana megangal thaano

Human relationships ('Sondhangal') are poetically compared to fleeting red clouds ('Sevvaana megangal') to highlight their impermanence.

Personification

Megam vazhangum raagam muzhangum

Clouds are personified as musicians that gift or offer musical ragas.

Rhyme (Iyaibu)

Naalum ennodu nadakkum pinnodu

Use of end rhymes like 'nadakkum', 'vazhangum', and 'muzhangum' creates a rhythmic cadence suited for a singer protagonist.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by the iconic lyricist Vaali, the song uses classical Tamil nature imagery to convey philosophical detachment, a recurring motif in many of his reflective tracks from the late 1980s.

Keep listening

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