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Lyrics & meaning

Thanimayil Yaar Ival

From Azhage Unnai Aarathikkiren · 1979

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
Vani Jairam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Azhage Unnai Aarathikkiren1979

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Thanimayil yaar ivalWho is she in this solitude?
Neerodu meenunduWith water, there is fish,
Nilavodu vaan unduWith the moon, there is the sky,
Uravodu oor unduWith relationships, there is a community,
Enodu yaar unduWith me, who is there?
Yenn… yenn… yennWhy... why... why?
Female
Thanimayil yaar ivalWho is she in this solitude?
Chorus
………………………..
Female
Aadimuditha medaiA stage where the play has ended,
Moodivaitha velaiA time when the curtains are drawn,
Meendum naadagamYet another drama begins again,
Adhu yenn iraivaaWhy is that, O Lord?
Aasai enna indruWhat is this desire today?
Yengum yekkamA yearning that aches everywhere,
Yenn… yenn.. yenn…Why... why... why?
Chorus
…………………………..
Female
Thanimayil yaar ivalWho is she in this solitude?
Female
Paalaivanaththu meedhuUpon the barren desert,
Padarvathenna mullaiWhy does a jasmine vine spread?
Yedho kaaranamThere must be some hidden reason,
Ilamai kodumaiYouthfulness can be a cruelty,
Enna seiyum penmaiWhat can vulnerable womanhood do?
Viraga dhaabamThe burning heat of lonely longing,
Yenn…yenn.. yenn…Why... why... why?
Chorus
…………………………..
Female
Thanimayil yaar ivalWho is she in this solitude?
Neerodu meenunduWith water, there is fish,
Nilavodu vaan unduWith the moon, there is the sky,
Uravodu oor unduWith relationships, there is a community,
Enodu yaar unduWith me, who is there?
Yenn… yenn… yennWhy... why... why?
Female
Thanimayil yaar ivalWho is she in this solitude?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Thanimayil Yaar Ival' expresses deep existential loneliness, sorrow, and romantic anguish. Through poignant contrasts—pointing out that fish have water, the moon has the sky, and people have social bonds—the protagonist laments her utter isolation, asking God why she alone remains companionless.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Neerodu meenundu / Nilavodu vaan undu

Repetition of the suffix '-odu' across sequential lines ('Neerodu', 'Nilavodu', 'Uravodu', 'Enodu') creates a musical rhythm while reinforcing comparison.

Metaphor (Uvagam)

Paalaivanaththu meedhu padarvathenna mullai

Comparing a blossoming heart or womanly desire to a soft jasmine creeper spreading over a harsh desert surface.

Rhetorical Question

Enodu yaar undu / Adhu yenn iraivaa

The speaker asks God and fate direct questions to emphasize her grief, helpless despair, and existential confusion.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja and sung brilliantly by Vani Jairam, this song from C. V. Sridhar's 'Azhage Unnai Aarathikkiren' (1979) highlights Vaali's mastery in translating delicate human sorrow into philosophical poetry.

Keep listening

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