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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thalai Mudhal Kaal Varai

From Ilaya Thalaimurai · 1977

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Ilaya Thalaimurai
Movie release year
1977
Lyrics added on
26 Aug 2023

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Kannavan sonnaanae
Kadamaiyinai seithu vidu
Palanai vidu endraane
Kadamaiyinai seithaanae
Kodumaiyinai kandapadi
Kanneeril nindraenae…..
Thalai mudhal kaal varai sogam thunba raagam
Kadamaiyil purappatta vegam engu pogum
Idhil vaazhkkai thaagam….
Thalai mudhal kaal varai sogam thunba raagam
Kaiyil oru vilangu karuththil oru vilangu
Kaalil oru vilangu kazhuththil oru vilangu
Iraivaa nimmathi vazhangu
Mulvaeli ellai aasaigal mullai
Palanooru thollai bhagavaanum illai
Yaar seitha paavam idhupondra pillai
Thalai mudhal kaal varai sogam thunba raagam
Kadamaiyil purappatta vegam engu pogum
Idhil vaazhkkai thaagam….
Thalai mudhal kaal varai sogam thunba raagam
Mazhai pondra kangal kodai pol ullam
Varugindra thunbam thaniyaatha vellam
Kadankaara sontham enakkenna illam
Thalai mudhal kaal varai sogam thunba raagam
Kadhalikku vazhi solvathaa
Kadamaiyilirunthu vilagi selvathaa
Ilaiya thalaimuraikku bathil solvathaa
Engum en kudumpaththai thaangi pidippathaa
Kurudaaga nindraal kaatchigal illai
Kurudaaga nindraal kaatchigal illai
Kozhakaaranaanaal kavalaigal illai
Manithaabimaanam naan konda thollai
Thalai mudhal kaal varai sogam thunba raagam
Kadamaiyil purappatta vegam engu pogum
Idhil vaazhkkai thaagam….
Thalai mudhal kaal varai sogam thunba raagam
Lord Krishna once said,
"Fulfill your duty,
And let go of the reward," he said.
I did my duty,
Yet facing cruelty all around,
I stood in tears...
From head to toe, only sorrow—a melody of grief.
Where will this rush to do my duty lead,
Amid this thirst for life?...
From head to toe, only sorrow—a melody of grief.
A chain on my hands, a chain on my thoughts,
A chain on my feet, a chain around my neck,
O God, grant me peace!
The boundary is a barbed wire, but my desires are tender jasmine,
Hundreds of troubles, and God is nowhere to be found.
For whose past sin was a child like this born?
From head to toe, only sorrow—a melody of grief.
Where will this rush to do my duty lead,
Amid this thirst for life?...
From head to toe, only sorrow—a melody of grief.
Eyes pouring like rain, a heart parched like summer,
The sorrows that arrive are a flood that never subsides.
Relatives drowning in debt—what home is left for me?
From head to toe, only sorrow—a melody of grief.
Should I show a way out to the woman I love?
Should I walk away from my duty?
Should I give answers to the younger generation?
Or should I hold up my family on every side?
If I stand blind, there are no sights to see;
If I stand blind, there are no sights to see;
If I turn into a coward, there are no worries.
My own humanity is the trouble I brought upon myself.
From head to toe, only sorrow—a melody of grief.
Where will this rush to do my duty lead,
Amid this thirst for life?...
From head to toe, only sorrow—a melody of grief.
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This poignant song from 'Ilaya Thalaimurai' (1977) expresses the deep existential despair and moral dilemma of a man caught in life's tragic duties. Beginning with a reference to the Bhagavad Gita's famous philosophy of doing one's duty without expecting rewards, the protagonist laments that performing his duty with pure intentions has only brought him overwhelming cruelty, grief, and metaphorical bondage across his mind and body. He contemplates the heavy burdens of maintaining family relationships, guiding the younger generation, and honoring his love. He reflects that remaining blind or becoming ruthless would easily erase his worries, but it is his unyielding humaneness ('Manithaabimaanam') that serves as his ultimate curse and source of pain.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Allusion (Ilakkiya Kurippu)

“Kannavan sonnaanae Kadamaiyinai seithu vidu Palanai vidu endraane”

Refers directly to the philosophical advice of Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita regarding Karma (Kadamai).

Simile & Metaphor (Uvamai / Uruvagam)

“Mazhai pondra kangal kodai pol ullam”

Compares eyes overflowing with tears to rain ('Mazhai pondra kangal') and a scorched heart to summer heat ('kodai pol ullam').

Anaphora / Repetition (Edugai & Iyaibu)

“Kaiyil oru vilangu karuththil oru vilangu Kaalil oru vilangu kazhuththil oru vilangu”

Repetition of 'vilangu' (shackle) across lines to emphasize absolute entrapment and helplessness.

End Rhyme (Iyaibu)

“Kadhalikku vazhi solvathaa Kadamaiyilirunthu vilagi selvathaa”

Rhythmic repetition of '-solvathaa / -selvathaa / -pidippathaa' sound endings to emphasize agonizing choices.

Did you know?

Trivia

In 'Ilaya Thalaimurai' (1977) starring Sivaji Ganesan, Lyricist Kannadasan skillfully incorporates classical Hindu philosophy (Karmanye Vadhikaraste) into modern tragedy. The soundtrack by M. S. Viswanathan and vocal performance by T. M. Soundararajan are widely regarded as textbook examples of soulful, emotionally intense Tamil film music from the 1970s.

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