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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thaayai Kandadhillai

From Vazhikatti · 1965

Lyricist
S. S. Rajendran
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
Ibrahim
Details
Vazhikatti1965

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Vaanambadi pol thirindhenI wandered like a skylark
Vaazhvedhum kettenaaDid I ask for anything in life?
Yen aiyaa ippazhiyaiWhy, sir, did they place this blame
En melae pottu vittaarUpon me?
Male
Thaaiyai kandathillaiI have not seen my mother
Thandhaiyai kandathillai (Dialogue)I have not seen my father (Dialogue)
Male
Thaaiyai kandathillaiI have not seen my mother
Thandhaiyai kandathillaiI have not seen my father
Uttraar uravum illaiI have no relatives or kin
Uttraar uravum illaiI have no relatives or kin
Aiyaa unnai thavira gadhiyum illaiSir, except for you, I have no refuge
Male
Naan thaaiyai kandathillaiI have not seen my mother
Thandhaiyai kandathillaiI have not seen my father
Male
Naal ellam naan uzhaithenI worked hard all day long
Nalladhai thaan seidhu vandhenI only kept doing good things
Naal ellam naan uzhaithenI worked hard all day long
Nalladhai thaan seidhu vandhenI only kept doing good things
Thaaladha sumaiyai aiyaaAn unbearable burden, sir
Thaaladha sumaiyaiAn unbearable burden
En thalaiyil yen thookki veithaai aiyaaWhy did you place it on my head, sir?
Male
Thaaiyai kandathillaiI have not seen my mother
Thandhaiyai kandathillaiI have not seen my father
Male
Palliyai kandathillaiI have never seen a school
Thamizh padathaiyum kattradhillaiNor have I learned Tamil lessons
Naan palliyai kandathillaiI have never seen a school
Thamizh padathaiyum kattradhillaiNor have I learned Tamil lessons
Thalli veithaalum aiyaaEven if you push me away, sir
Thalli veithaalum aiyaaEven if you push me away, sir
Adhai thaangavoo arivum illaiI lack the wisdom even to bear that
Male
Thaaiyai kandathillaiI have not seen my mother
Thandhaiyai kandathillaiI have not seen my father
Uttraar uravum illaiI have no relatives or kin
Uttraar uravum illaiI have no relatives or kin
Aiyaa unnai thavira gadhiyum illaiSir, except for you, I have no refuge
Male
Naan thaaiyai kandathillaiI have not seen my mother
Thandhaiyai kandathillaiI have not seen my father

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant song expresses the deep pain of an innocent protagonist who has been falsely accused of a crime. He reflects on his simple, care-free existence, comparing his past life to a skylark that asks for nothing from the world. Having grown up without parents, family, or formal education, he considers his mentor or master his sole anchor in life. Mourning the injustice, he questions why such an unbearable burden of false accusation has been placed upon his head when he has only ever worked hard and done good deeds.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Vaanambadi pol thirindhen

Compares the protagonist's carefree, roaming past life to a 'Vaanambadi' (Skylark).

Anaphora / Repetition (Edukku Thodai)

Thaaiyai kandathillai / Thandhaiyai kandathillai

Repetition of identical lines emphasizing orphanhood and lack of familial support.

Alliteration (Mona)

Naal ellam naan uzhaithen / Nalladhai thaan seidhu vandhen

Matching initial sounds ('Na') in consecutive lines for rhythmic flow.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song 'Thaaiyai Kandathillai' from the film 'Vazhikatti' (1965) features lyrics written by actor-turned-politician S. S. Rajendran himself, highlighting his versatile talent as a lyricist in Tamil cinema.

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