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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thambikku Oru Paattu Sad

From Naan Yen Pirandhen · 1972

Lyricist
‘Avinasi’ Mani
Singers
M. S. Rajeswari, Anjali
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Naan Yen Pirandhen1972

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Koodillaadha kuruvigal polaeLike nestless sparrows
Veedillaamal alaigindromWe wander around without a home
Female
Koorai illaadha theruvoramAlong the street sides without a roof
Ezhaighalaagi vaazhgindromWe live as poor destitute people
Female
Pottukka sattai yaar koduppaaWho will give us clothes to wear?
Pudhu pudhu paattaa yaar padippaaWho will sing brand new songs for us?
Kettadhai vaangi yaar tharuvaaWho will buy and give whatever we ask for?
Female
Konji pesa yaar varuvaaWho will come to speak affectionately to us?
Konji pesa yaar varuvaaWho will come to speak affectionately to us?
Female
Ethanai dhooram un veeduHow far away is your home?
Engae irukkudhu nee kooruTell us where it is located
Female
Or vazhi indri kidakkindromWe lie helpless without any way out
Unnai thaedi nadakkindromWe walk in search of you
Female
Thaedi paarthadhum kidaikkavillaiEven after searching, we could not find you
Thirumbi pogavum vazhiyumillaiThere is no way to go back either
Naangal unnai marakkavillaiWe have not forgotten you
Nee yen engalai ninaikka villaiWhy have you not thought of us?
Female
Ammaa mugathil sirippillaeThere is no smile on mother's face
Annanin kannil oliyillaeThere is no light in elder brother's eyes
Female
Akkaa udambu seriyillaeElder sister is not feeling well
Yaaridam solvadhu puriyallaeWe do not know whom to tell our plight to
Female
Thaayirundhaalum engalukkuEven though mother is right here with us
Dhairiyam solla mudiyallaeShe is unable to give us courage
Female
Nee yen innum varavillaeWhy have you still not arrived?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant song expresses the deep pain and helplessness of a destitute family abandoned to suffer on the streets. The children compare themselves to sparrows without a nest, wandering without shelter or basic necessities, longing for a caring figure—presumably their absent father—to comfort them, dress them, and bring joy into their lives. The song vividly details the family's plight: a mother drained of smiles, a brother stripped of hope, and a sick sister, with no one to offer them strength or guidance. Despite searching desperately, they remain stranded without a path forward, questioning why their protector has forgotten them and delayed his arrival.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Koodillaadha kuruvigal polae

Compares homeless, destitute children directly to sparrows without a nest to emphasize vulnerability.

Anaphora / Rhetorical Questions

Pottukka sattai yaar koduppaa

Repeated use of 'yaar' (who) across consecutive lines creates emotional resonance and highlights abandonment.

End Rhyme (Iyaibu)

Ammaa mugathil sirippillae

Consistent rhyming pattern using negative suffix 'illai' (sirippillae, oliyillae, seriyillae) to emphasize absence and lack.

Did you know?

Trivia

Naan Yen Pirandhen (1972) is a Tamil drama film starring M. G. Ramachandran (MGR), K. R. Vijaya, and Kanchana. The musical score for the film was composed by the duo Shankar-Ganesh. The song highlights MGR's signature cinema style of embedding social empathy, poverty awareness, and emotional family ties into popular music.

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