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Isaimozhi
Sethupathi album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Thaen Kootil

From Sethupathi · 2016

Lyricist
Na. Muthu Kumar
Singer
V. M. Mahalingam
Music director
Nivas K. Prasanna
Movie name
Sethupathi
Movie release year
2016
Lyrics added on
29 Apr 2018

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Mmm…mmm…mm…mmm…
Aaaa….aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…..
Thaen koottil theeyai vaithu
Erithae ponathu yaar
Thenpandi thaerai ingae
Theruvil vittathu yaar
Veenaana vaarthaigalil
Pazhiyai sonnathu yaar
Pollatha vithi vadivil
Sathiyai seithathu yaar….
Nee pogum paathaiyilae
Panithaan kan maraikkum
Nee pogum paathaiyilae
Panithaan kan maraikkum
Aagayam vidinthu vittaal
Udanae vazhi thirakkum..mm…
Aagayam vidinthu vittaal
Udanae vazhi thirakkum
Ye thangamae…kalangaathae
Unmai endrumae
Urangaathae urangaathae…ae…..
Aararo aararo
Aararo ooo aararo
Thaalaelo ooo thaalaelo
Thaalelo aararo
Mmm... mm... mmm... mm..
Aah... aah... aah... aah... aah..
Who set fire to the honeycomb
and burned it all away?
Who left the southern chariot
stranded here on the street?
With baseless, empty words,
who cast this blame?
In the guise of cruel fate,
who plotted this betrayal?
On the path you walk,
the mist might blind your sight.
On the path you walk,
the mist might blind your sight.
Once the morning sky breaks open,
the way will clear at once... mm...
Once the morning sky breaks open,
the way will clear at once...
My precious darling, do not despair,
for the truth will never,
ever sleep... it never sleeps.
Aararo, aararo,
aararo, oh aararo,
thalelo, thalelo,
thalelo, oh aararo.
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song from the movie Sethupathi is a poignant ballad expressing grief and distress over sudden hardship, betrayal, and unjust blame. The lyrics metaphorically describe a peaceful, sweet life being destroyed as if someone maliciously set fire to a honeycomb. It questions the cruel turns of fate and false allegations that leave an honorable person stranded like a royal chariot left abandoned on the street. Despite the deep sorrow, the song shifts into a comforting lullaby filled with hope and emotional support. It uses the metaphor of morning mist obscuring a path to remind the listener that darkness and confusion are only temporary; once dawn arrives, clarity will be restored. Ultimately, it delivers an empowering message that truth is eternal and vigilant, and will eventually prevail over deceit.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Thaen koottil theeyai vaithu

Compares a happy, peaceful family life to a delicate honeycomb ('Thaen koodu') that has been cruelly set ablaze by external forces.

Ethukai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Thaen koottil theeyai vaithu / Thenpandi thaerai ingae

The second consonant sound 'n' (ன்) rhymes between 'Thaen' (தேன்கூட்டில்) and 'Thenpandi' (தென்பாண்டி) across consecutive lines.

Personification

Unmai endrumae urangaathae urangaathae

Attributes human characteristics to abstract concepts like 'Truth' ('Unmai'), stating that truth never sleeps and stays awake to bring justice.

Did you know?

Trivia

This emotional song was composed by Nivas K. Prasanna for the 2016 police-drama 'Sethupathi', starring Vijay Sethupathi. Featuring deeply moving lyrics penned by the late National Award-winning lyricist Na. Muthu Kumar, the song marks a crucial emotional turning point in the film where the honest protagonist faces fabricated charges that threaten his career and family.

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