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Lyrics & meaning

Thanimayil Yaar Ival

From Azhage Unnai Aarathikkiren · 1979

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
Vani Jairam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Movie name
Azhage Unnai Aarathikkiren
Movie release year
1979
Lyrics added on
26 Sept 2018

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Thanimayil yaar ival
Neerodu meenundu
Nilavodu vaan undu
Uravodu oor undu
Enodu yaar undu
Yenn… yenn… yenn
Thanimayil yaar ival
………………………..
Aadimuditha medai
Moodivaitha velai
Meendum naadagam
Adhu yenn iraivaa
Aasai enna indru
Yengum yekkam
Yenn… yenn.. yenn…
…………………………..
Thanimayil yaar ival
Paalaivanaththu meedhu
Padarvathenna mullai
Yedho kaaranam
Ilamai kodumai
Enna seiyum penmai
Viraga dhaabam
Yenn…yenn.. yenn…
…………………………..
Thanimayil yaar ival
Neerodu meenundu
Nilavodu vaan undu
Uravodu oor undu
Enodu yaar undu
Yenn… yenn… yenn
Thanimayil yaar ival
Who is she, all alone in solitude?
The water has its fish
The sky has its moon
The town has its kith and kin
Who is there with me?
Why... why... why?
Who is she, all alone in solitude?
...
A stage where the play has ended
A time when curtains are drawn close
Yet a play begins once again
Why is that, O Lord?
What is this desire today?
A deep yearning everywhere
Why... why... why?
...
Who is she, all alone in solitude?
Over the dry desert
Why does the jasmine vine spread?
There must be some reason
Youth is a cruel burden
What can a woman's heart do?
The burning heat of separation
Why... why... why?
...
Who is she, all alone in solitude?
The water has its fish
The sky has its moon
The town has its kith and kin
Who is there with me?
Why... why... why?
Who is she, all alone in solitude?
Female
Female
Chorus
Female
Chorus
Female
Female
Chorus
Female
Female

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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.

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