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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thaneerile Meen Azhuthaal

From Mythili Ennai Kaathali · 1986

Lyricist
T. Rajendar
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
T. Rajendar
Details
Mythili Ennai Kaathali1986

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Thanneerilae meen azhuthaalIf a fish cries in the water,
Kanneeraiththaan yaararivaarWho would ever know its tears?
Thanimaiyilae neeyazhuthaalIf you cry in solitude,
Un manathai yaararivaarWho would ever understand your heart?
Male
Thanneerilae meen azhuthaalIf a fish cries in the water,
Kanneeraiththaan yaararivaarWho would ever know its tears?
Thanimaiyilae neeyazhuthaalIf you cry in solitude,
Un manathai yaararivaarWho would ever understand your heart?
Male
Mul meedhu vizhunthathadiIt fell upon the sharp thorns,
Mugaari paadum kiliThe parrot singing in Mugaari raga.
Aa….aa…aa…aa…aa….Aa....aa...aa...aa...aa....
Mul meedhu vizhunthathadiIt fell upon the sharp thorns,
Mugaari paadum kiliThe parrot singing in Mugaari raga.
Male
Kann thudaippaarillaiThere is no one to wipe your tears,
Kai kodupaarillaiThere is no one to lend a helping hand,
Kann thudaippaarillaiThere is no one to wipe your tears,
Kai kodupaarillaiThere is no one to lend a helping hand,
Unnai purinthorillaiThere is no one who understood you,
Ullam arinthorillaiThere is no one who knew your heart.
Male
Thanneerilae meen azhuthaalIf a fish cries in the water,
Kanneeraiththaan yaararivaarWho would ever know its tears?
Thanimaiyilae neeyazhuthaalIf you cry in solitude,
Un manathai yaararivaarWho would ever understand your heart?
Manamae manamae manamae manamaeOh heart, oh heart, oh heart, oh heart!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This classic song expresses deep emotional pain, heartbreak, and profound solitude through vivid poetic metaphors. It compares a person suffering in private to a fish crying inside water, where its tears remain completely invisible to the world. The song laments the tragic fate of an individual who feels unloved, misunderstood, and utterly abandoned without anyone to wipe their tears or lend a hand.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Thanneerilae meen azhuthaal / Kanneeraiththaan yaararivaar

Compares unseen, silent human grief to a fish crying underwater where tears cannot be distinguished.

Cultural/Musical Allusion

Mugaari paadum kili

Refers to 'Mugaari', a Carnatic raga traditionally associated with extreme sadness, lamentation, and grief.

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Kann thudaippaarillai / Kai kodupaarillai

Matching initial sounds across lines to create rhythmic symmetry ('Kann' and 'Kai').

Adukkuthodar (Repetition for Emphasis)

Manamae manamae manamae manamae

Repeats the word 'Manamae' (Heart) multiple times to emphasize desperate inner angst.

Did you know?

Trivia

T. Rajendar wrote the lyrics, composed the music, and directed the film 'Mythili Ennai Kaathali' (1986). Known for his signature rhyming lyricism and emotional melodies, TR frequently referenced classic Carnatic ragas like Mugaari to heighten the dramatic melancholy in his films.

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