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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thai Sollum

From Kana Kandaen · 2005

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
Manikka Vinayagam
Music director
Vidyasagar
Details
Kana Kandaen2005

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
{Thai sollum uravai vaithuBased on the relationships Mother tells you,
Ulagam sonthamThe whole world becomes yours.
Thai ulla varayil thanaeOnly as long as Mother is around,
Gramam sontham} (2)The village belongs to you (Repeated twice)
Male
17 vayasu varaikumUp to the age of seventeen,
Nee vazhum vazhkai thanaeThe life that you live,
Palottum kalam varaikumUntil the period that nurtured you,
Kuda varumWill follow you.
Male
Kadalora upan galiyumThe salty breeze along the seashore,
Kathodu pesum alaiyumAnd the wave that whispers in your ear,
500 mile ponalumEven if you travel 500 miles away,
Thedi varumWill come searching for you.
Male
Thai sollum uravai vaithuBased on the relationships Mother tells you,
Ulagam sonthamThe whole world becomes yours.
Thai ulla varayil thanaeOnly as long as Mother is around,
Gramam sonthamThe village belongs to you.
Male
Gramam than madiyil kattiThe village held you in its lap,
Valathathu unnaiAnd raised you up.
Gramatha madiyila kattiTying up the village in your lap,
Povathu ennaWhere are you heading off to?
Male
Sathi thandiyaeTranscending caste barriers,
Natpum uravumFriendship and affection,
Malarnthathu angaeBlossomed over there.
Samayatha pengal pathuLooking at young girls before maturity,
Mayangiyathu angaeYou were captivated there.
Male
Uppu medilae adi mudithuStumbling upon the salt mounds,
Sainthathum angaeAnd leaning down right there.
Aagayam iruttu pothiWrapping itself in darkness,
ThungiyathangaeThe sky slept over there.
Male
Kaiyodu alliya thanniLike water scooped in your hand,
Viralodu kasivathu polaLeaking through the fingers,
Kannodu ninaivugal ellamAll the memories in your eyes,
Kasigirathae…..Are trickling down like tears...
Male
Thai sollum uravai vaithuBased on the relationships Mother tells you,
Ulagam sonthamThe whole world becomes yours.
Thai ulla varayil thanaeOnly as long as Mother is around,
Gramam sonthamThe village belongs to you.
Male
Nellikai adiyilLike the sweetness left behind,
Ulla thithipagaaAt the base of a gooseberry,
Varumayin keezh latchiyamAmidst poverty, a single goal,
Onnu vanthathu angaeWas born over there.
Male
Thuku vali thalayil mattiHanging a tiffin carrier over your head,
Greedam endraiYou called it a crown.
Sontha selavil suriyan vangaTo buy the sun at your own expense,
Asai kondaiYou harbored a desire.
Male
Sontha uravugal ilaigalai polaeYour blood relatives, like leaves,
Uthirnthida kandaiYou saw them fall away.
Vantha uravugal valar pirayagaThe acquired relationships, like a waxing moon,
Valarnthida kandaiYou saw them grow.
Male
Manam konda kanavugal ellamAll the cherished dreams in your heart,
Man panai sillugal agaaBecoming broken shards of a mud pot,
Maru vazhvin vetriyaiSeeking success in a second life,
Thedi odugiraiii…You keep running ahead...
Male
Thai sollum uravai vaithuBased on the relationships Mother tells you,
Ulagam sonthamThe whole world becomes yours.
Thai ulla varayil thanaeOnly as long as Mother is around,
Gramam sonthamThe village belongs to you.
Male
17 vayasu varaikumUp to the age of seventeen,
Nee vazhum vazhkai thanaeThe life that you live,
Palottum kalam varaikumUntil the period that nurtured you,
Kuda varumWill follow you.
Male
Kadalora upan galiyumThe salty breeze along the seashore,
Kathodu pesum alaiyumAnd the wave that whispers in your ear,
500 mail ponalumEven if you travel 500 miles away,
Thedi varumWill come searching for you.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Thai Sollum Uravai Vaithu' from Kana Kandaen (2005) is a deeply emotional reflection on roots, motherly affection, childhood innocence, and the relentless pursuit of ambition. Lyricist Vairamuthu explores how a mother anchors one's connection to family and society, and how memories from one's formative years up to youth remain etched in the soul regardless of how far one travels. The song highlights rural life, childhood friendships, early struggles against poverty, and the longing for success. As life progresses, early ties shed like dried leaves while new relationships take shape like a waxing moon. Despite dreams shattering like fragile clay pots along the journey, the protagonist continues to run towards modern success, carrying the foundational sensory memories—the sea wind, the salt mounds, and childhood tears—wherever he goes.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Uvamai Ani)

Kaiyodu alliya thanni / Viralodu kasivathu pola

Compares memories leaking out through tears to water scooped in one's palm slipping out through the fingers.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Thuku vali thalayil matti / Greedam endrai

Metaphorically equates a simple tiffin box carried during hard work to a royal crown, exalting dignity of labor.

Simile (Uvamai Ani)

Sontha uravugal ilaigalai polae / Uthirnthida kandai

Compares original blood relatives drifting away to leaves shedding from a tree.

Personification

Kathodu pesum alaiyum

Personifies the ocean waves as whispering secrets into one's ear.

Did you know?

Trivia

Kana Kandaen (2005) marked the directorial debut of renowned cinematographer K. V. Anand. The film's soundtrack was composed by Vidyasagar, with lyrics by Vairamuthu.

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