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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Sorgama Naragama

From Nenjil Oru Mul · 1981

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singer
Malaysia Vasudevan
Music director
G. K. Venkatesh
Details
Nenjil Oru Mul1981

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Sorgamaa naragamaaIs it heaven or hell?
Rendum naan kandenI have seen both.
Kallil sorrgam pennil naragamHeaven in liquor, hell in women,
Unmai nanaum kandenI too realized this truth.
Male
Sorgamaa naragamaaIs it heaven or hell?
Rendum naan kandenI have seen both.
Kallil sorrgam pennil naragamHeaven in liquor, hell in women,
Unmai nanaum kandenI too realized this truth.
Hmm mm mm mmHmm mm mm mm
Male
Poda poda endhan kannilGo away, go away, in my eyes,
Raajabodhai yerudhuA royal intoxication rises!
Male
Poda poda endhan kannilGo away, go away, in my eyes,
Raajabodhai yerudhuA royal intoxication rises!
Paada paada nenjil ullaAs I keep singing, in my heart,
Kaayamellam aarudhuAll the wounds are healing.
Male
Sorgamaa naragamaaIs it heaven or hell?
Rendum naan kandenI have seen both.
Kallil sorrgam pennil naragamHeaven in liquor, hell in women,
Unmai nanaum kandenI too realized this truth.
Hmm mm mm mmHmm mm mm mm
Male
Boomi melae vaanam keezhaeEarth above, sky below,
Mari maari thonuthuIt appears topsy-turvy!
Male
Boomi melae vaanam keezhaeEarth above, sky below,
Mari maari thonuthuIt appears topsy-turvy!
Bodhai yera bodhai yeraAs intoxication rises and rises,
Kaalgal thaana aadudhuMy feet dance on their own!
Male
Sorgamaa naragamaaIs it heaven or hell?
Rendum naan kandenI have seen both.
Kallil sorrgam pennil naragamHeaven in liquor, hell in women,
Unmai nanaum kandenI too realized this truth.
Hmm mm mm mmHmm mm mm mm

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song captures the cynical reflections of a heartbroken protagonist seeking solace in alcohol after experiencing emotional betrayal. He contrasts heaven and hell, bitterly claiming that while love/women brought hellish agony to his life, liquor brings him heavenly escape. As his intoxication grows, the physical world turns upside down, symbolizing his disrupted mental state, yet providing a temporary numbness that heals his emotional wounds.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Antithesis (Muran / முரண்)

Boomi melae vaanam keezhae

Contrasting opposing concepts like heaven (Sorgam) vs hell (Naragam), and earth above (Boomi melae) vs sky below (vaanam keezhae) to emphasize inner conflict and distorted perception.

Repetition (Adukku Thodar / அடுக்குத் தொடர்)

Poda poda endhan kannil

Repeated words used for poetic emphasis and rhythm, conveying intensifying emotion or motion.

Metaphor (Uvamai / உருவகம்)

Raajabodhai yerudhu

Describing heavy drunkenness as 'Raajabodhai' (royal intoxication), elevating the sensation of escape.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film 'Nenjil Oru Mul' (1981) starred Pratap Pothen and Poornima Jayaram. Lyricist Pulamaipithan penned this song to reflect the dramatic trope of a troubled protagonist expressing philosophical cynicism through alcohol.

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