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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thanneeril Thallaadum

From Varavu Nalla Uravu · 1990

Lyricist
Idhaya Chandran
Singer
K. J. Yesudas
Music director
Shankar Ganesh
Details
Varavu Nalla Uravu1990

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Thaneeril thallaadumSwaying in the water
Manveedu polaachchuOur life has become like a mud house
Nam vaazhkkai chinna kannammaaOur life, my little Kannamma
Adi raasaththi malaiyoyum kaalam sollammaaHey princess, tell me when the rain of sorrow will stop
Male
Thaneeril thallaadumSwaying in the water
Manveedu polaachchuOur life has become like a mud house
Nam vaazhkkai chinna kannammaaOur life, my little Kannamma
Adi raasaththi malaiyoyum kaalam sollammaaHey princess, tell me when the rain of sorrow will stop
Male
Dhisai maarum odam polaLike a boat changing its direction
Thadumaarum vaazhkkai ingaeLife stumbles here
Pogindra payanam enge kannammaWhere is this journey leading to, Kannamma?
Odam karai searum naalai neeyum sollammaTell me when this boat will reach the shore
Male
Dhisai maarum odam polaLike a boat changing its direction
Thadumaarum vaazhkkai ingaeLife stumbles here
Pogindra payanam enge kannammaWhere is this journey leading to, Kannamma?
Odam karai searum naalai neeyum sollammaTell me when this boat will reach the shore
Male
Eppothum thagam ingaeThere is perpetual thirst here
Kanneeraalae theeraathuIt cannot be quenched by tears alone
Kanneerin sogam neekka eeramulla nenjedhuWhich compassionate heart will erase the sorrow of these tears?
Vaedikkai dheivaththin vaadikkai thaanammaaWatching as a spectator is God's habit, my dear
vaadikkai thaanammaa……vaadikkai thaanammaaIt is His habit... it is His habit
Male
Thaneeril thallaadumSwaying in the water
Manveedu polaachchuOur life has become like a mud house
Nam vaazhkkai chinna kannammaaOur life, my little Kannamma
Adi raasaththi malaiyoyum kaalam sollammaaHey princess, tell me when the rain of sorrow will stop
Female
Aararo aari raariro…..AaraaroLullaby sounds (Aararo aari raariro... Aaraaro)
Aararo aari raariro…..Lullaby sounds (Aararo aari raariro...)
Aararo aari raariro…..AaraaroLullaby sounds (Aararo aari raariro... Aaraaro)
Aararo aari raariro…..Lullaby sounds (Aararo aari raariro...)
Female
Nool kondu aadum bommaiA puppet dancing with strings
Adhu kaiyil ondrum illaiIt has nothing in its own hands
Thaanaga aadaadhadi kannammaaIt cannot dance on its own, Kannamma
Ellam vidhi devan ennam thaanaeIs it not all the intent of the God of Destiny?
SollammaaTell me, my dear
Female
Nool kondu aadum bommaiA puppet dancing with strings
Adhu kaiyil ondrum illaiIt has nothing in its own hands
Thaanaga aadaadhadi kannammaaIt cannot dance on its own, Kannamma
Ellam vidhi devan ennam thaanaeIs it not all the intent of the God of Destiny?
SollammaaTell me, my dear
Male
Kaappaattrum dheivam indruThe God who is meant to protect us today
Kannaamoochchi aaduthuIs playing hide and seek with us
Kankattu viththai ondruAn act of magic and deception
Naalum maedai yaeruthuAscends the stage every single day
Male
Kai neettum paasangalAffections that reach out their hands
Kai kazhuvum mosangalTurn into betrayals that wash their hands off us
Kai kazhuvum mosangalTurn into betrayals that wash their hands off us
Kai kazhuvum mosangalTurn into betrayals that wash their hands off us
Male
Thaneeril thallaadumSwaying in the water
Manveedu polaachchuOur life has become like a mud house
Nam vaazhkkai chinna kannammaaOur life, my little Kannamma
Adi raasaththi malaiyoyum kaalam sollammaaHey princess, tell me when the rain of sorrow will stop
Male
………………………..(Music fading out...)

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song expresses deep existential melancholy, comparing human life to a fragile mud house dissolving in water and a rudderless boat drifting helplessly. The lyrics reflect on the helplessness of human destiny, comparing human beings to puppets controlled by strings of fate, while God acts merely as a distant spectator playing hide-and-seek rather than delivering relief. It captures the pain of deception and broken ties, where outstretched hands of affection eventually wash their hands of responsibility, lamenting the unpredictability of human plight while yearning for a day when the rain of sorrow will finally end.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Upamai (Simile)

Thaneeril thallaadum / Manveedu polaachchu

Compares a fragile, collapsing life to a mud house in water ('Manveedu polaachchu') and a directionless boat ('Dhisai maarum odam pola').

Uruvagam (Metaphor)

Nool kondu aadum bommai / Adhu kaiyil ondrum illai

Metaphorically represents human existence as a string-controlled puppet ('Nool kondu aadum bommai') manipulated entirely by destiny.

Etukai (Second letter rhyme) & Monai (Initial rhyme)

Kai neettum paasangal / Kai kazhuvum mosangal

Parallel structure with rhyming and initial word play highlighting contrasting human behaviors (reaching out vs washing hands off).

Adukku Thodar (Repetition for Emphasis)

Kai kazhuvum mosangal / Kai kazhuvum mosangal

Repetition of 'vaadikkai thaanammaa' and 'Kai kazhuvum mosangal' to intensify the sense of helpless despair and recurring betrayal.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Varavu Nalla Uravu' (1990) is a renowned Tamil drama film directed by Visu, focusing on family values, financial obligations, and societal struggles. The music was composed by Shankar-Ganesh with lyrics written by Idhaya Chandran.

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