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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thannuyir Pirivadhai

From Panam Padaithavan · 1965

Lyricist
Vaali
Singer
P. Susheela
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Details
Panam Padaithavan1965

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Thannuyir pirivadhaiTheir own life leaving
Paarthavar illaiNo one has ever witnessed
Ennuyir pirivadhai paarthu nindrenI stood witnessing my own life depart
Naan ennuyir pirivadhai paarthu nindrenI stood watching my own life leaving
Female
Ennudanae enthanAlong with me, my
Poo udal vaazhumFlower-like body will live
Unnudanae enthan ponnuyir pogumAlong with you, my precious soul departs
Female
Thannuyir pirivadhaiTheir own life leaving
Paarthavar illaiNo one has ever witnessed
Ennuyir pirivadhai paarthu nindrenI stood witnessing my own life depart
Naan ennuyir pirivadhai paarthu nindrenI stood watching my own life leaving
Female
Dheivaththai ninaithaenI thought of God
Thaerendru valarnthenAnd grew up thinking I was a grand chariot
Thendralai ninaithaeThinking of the gentle breeze
Poovendru malarnthenI blossomed like a flower
Female
Thaerendrum illaiThere is no chariot
Poovendrum illaiNor is there a flower
Kanneeril kaalam sella verenna vendumWhat else is needed as time passes in tears?
Kanneeril kaalam sella verenna vendumWhat else is needed as time passes in tears?
Female
Thannuyir pirivadhaiTheir own life leaving
Paarthavar illaiNo one has ever witnessed
Ennuyir pirivadhai paarthu nindrenI stood witnessing my own life depart
Naan ennuyir pirivadhai paarthu nindrenI stood watching my own life leaving
Female
Mannanai ninaithaeThinking of the king
Maaligai amaithenI built a palace
Vallalai ninaithaeThinking of the generous patron
Maiyalai valarthenI nurtured my deep love
Female
Maaligai illaiThere is no palace
Mannanum illaiNor is there a king
Kanneeril kaalam sella verenna vendumWhat else is needed as time passes in tears?
Kanneeril kaalam sella verenna vendumWhat else is needed as time passes in tears?
Female
Thannuyir pirivadhaiTheir own life leaving
Paarthavar illaiNo one has ever witnessed
Ennuyir pirivadhai paarthu nindrenI stood witnessing my own life depart
Naan ennuyir pirivadhai paarthu nindrenI stood watching my own life leaving

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant song expresses the deep pain of separation and heartbreak. The narrator reflects on the irony of being alive while feeling spiritually dead: while no one can physically see their own soul depart at the moment of death, she feels as though her own soul has left her body to go with her beloved. Her physical body remains behind like a lifeless shell.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Paradox

Naan ennuyir pirivadhai paarthu nindren

A person cannot physically watch their own life leave their body, yet the singer describes standing and watching her life depart.

Metaphor (உருவகம்)

Poo udal vaazhum / Unnudanae enthan ponnuyir pogum

Describing her body as a soft flower ('Poo udal') and her soul as precious gold ('Ponnuyir').

Parallelism / Antithesis

Maaligai illai / Mannanum illai

Contrasting past hopeful dreams with present stark reality ('There was a chariot/palace' vs 'There is no chariot/palace').

Did you know?

Trivia

Panam Padaithavan (1965) starred M. G. Ramachandran (MGR), K. R. Vijaya, and B. Saroja Devi. The music for this soulful track was composed by the iconic duo Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy, with lyrics written by Vaali and vocals rendered by P. Susheela.

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