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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Andhai Arinthavale

From Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu (1989 Film) · 1989

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
Mano, Vanitha
Music director
Chandrabose
Details
Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu (1989 Film)1989

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Oo…ooh…oohohoOo…ooh…oohoho
Aaa….aah….aahha aahaaAaa….aah….aahha aahaa
Chorus :ThaayaeChorus: Oh Mother!
Male
Andhai arinthavalaeOh one who knows the darkness!
Unnodu sandai pidikka vanthaenI have come to pick a fight with you.
Raththam kudippavalaeOh drinker of blood!
Unnodu yuththam nadaththa vanthaenI have come to wage a war with you.
Male
Kadavullukku oru needhiOne rule of justice for God,
Manithanukku oru needhiAnother rule of justice for humans,
Vaguththavalae needhaanaaAre you the one who decreed this?
Vazhakku vanthaal viduvenaaIf a dispute arises, will I let it go?
Udukkai adippaen innum thookkamaaI beat the holy drum, are you still asleep?
Male
Andhai arinthavalaeOh one who knows the darkness!
Unnodu sandai pidikka vanthaenI have come to pick a fight with you.
Raththam kudippavalaeOh drinker of blood!
Unnodu yuththam nadaththa vanthaenI have come to wage a war with you.
Chorus
…………….....
Male
Eduththa sabatham nadaththi mudikka adikkadiTo fulfill the vow you have taken,
Pudhiya vadivam edupaaiYou frequently take on a new form.
Oorai maaththi perai maaththi adikkadiChanging towns and changing names,
Mugaththai thiraiyil maraippaaiYou hide your face behind a veil.
Kodumai mudiththu vittu kuruthi kudiththu vittuAfter committing cruelty and drinking blood,
Kuzhanthai vadivil sirippaaiYou smile like an innocent child.
Female
Annai vazhi magan sendraalIf the son follows the path of the mother,
Adhu enna pizhaiyoWhat fault is there in that?
Aalukkoru needhi endraalIf justice varies from person to person,
Adhu enna muraiyo solladi….ee…Tell me, what kind of fairness is that?
Male
Andhai arinthavalaeOh one who knows the darkness!
Unnodu sandai pidikka vanthaenI have come to pick a fight with you.
Raththam kudippavalaeOh drinker of blood!
Unnodu yuththam nadaththa vanthaenI have come to wage a war with you.
Chorus
Thaayae thaayaeOh Mother! Oh Mother!
Female
Thudikkum kadalum vedikkumThe pulsating ocean and the exploding
Nilamum uyirgalum unathu padaippu illaiyaaLand and living beings, aren't they all your creation?
Unathu kuzhanthai azhuthu pulambiWhen your own child cries and laments,
Unakku valikkaillaiyaaDoes it not cause you pain?
Sangathi therintha pinnumEven after knowing the truth of the matter,
Sangadam arintha pinnumEven after realizing the suffering,
Sannathi thirakkavillaiyaaHave you still not opened your sanctum doors?
Male
Pala uyirgalai ketpaaiYou demand many lives as sacrifice,
Adhu enna muraiyaaIs that proper conduct?
Iru uyirukku uyir thanthaenI sacrificed my life for two lives,
Idhu enna pizhaiyaa solladi…Tell me, is this a mistake?
Male
Andhai arinthavalaeOh one who knows the darkness!
Unnodu sandai pidikka vanthaenI have come to pick a fight with you.
Raththam kudippavalaeOh drinker of blood!
Unnodu yuththam nadaththa vanthaenI have come to wage a war with you.
Male
Kadavullukku oru needhiOne rule of justice for God,
Manithanukku oru needhiAnother rule of justice for humans,
Vaguththavalae needhaanaaAre you the one who decreed this?
Vazhakku vanthaal viduvenaaIf a dispute arises, will I let it go?
Udukkai adippaen innum thookkamaaI beat the holy drum, are you still asleep?
Male
Andhai arinthavalaeOh one who knows the darkness!
Unnodu sandai pidikka vanthaenI have come to pick a fight with you.
Raththam kudippavalaeOh drinker of blood!
Unnodu yuththam nadaththa vanthaen….I have come to wage a war with you...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This intense and dramatic track features a protagonist confronting a fierce deity or mother figure (Mother Goddess / Kali archetype). The protagonist wages a verbal and spiritual war against divine injustice, questioning why cosmic law appears double-standard—lenient towards gods while harsh towards suffering mortals. With heavy symbolism of blood, sacrifices, and ritual drums (Udukkai), the singer challenges the silent, uncaring stance of the deity towards human anguish.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Apostrophe (Direct Address)

Andhai arinthavalae / Raththam kudippavalae

Addressing the deity directly with fierce descriptors like 'Andhai arinthavalae' (one who knows darkness) and 'Raththam kudippavalae' (blood drinker).

Ethukai (Second-letter Assonance / Rhyme)

Sangathi therintha pinnum / Sangadam arintha pinnum

The second letter consonant sound '-ng-' rhymes across consecutive lines ('Sangathi' / 'Sangadam').

Rhetorical Questioning (Vina)

Unathu kuzhanthai azhuthu pulambi / Unakku valikkaillaiyaa

Using questions not to receive an answer, but to express deep anguish and challenge authority.

Antithesis / Contrast

Kadavullukku oru needhi / Manithanukku oru needhi

Contrasting divine justice against human justice to highlight hypocrisy.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by Vairamuthu for the 1989 film Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu, this track uses dramatic folk-deity imagery and rhythmic drumming ('Udukkai') to create a mood of intense ritualistic confrontation with divinity.

Keep listening

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