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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

The Life Of Ram

From 96 · 2018

Lyricist
Karthik Netha
Singer
Pradeep Kumar
Music director
Govind Vasantha
Details
962018

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Karai vantha piragae…ae….Only after reaching the shore,
Pidikuthu kadalai…ee…I fall in love with the ocean.
Narai vantha piragae….ae….Only after greying hair arrives,
Puriyuthu ulagai….ee…….I understand the world.
Male
Netrin inbangal yaavum koodiyaeAll of yesterday's pleasures coming together,
Indrai ippothai artham aakkuthaeMake today and this moment meaningful.
Indrin ippothin inbam yaavumaeAll the joys of today and this present moment,
Naalai orr artham kaatumaeWill reveal a purpose for tomorrow.
Male
Vaazha en vazhvai vazhavaeTo truly live my life as it is,
Thaazhamal melae pogirenWithout sinking, I rise above.
Theeraa ul ootrai theendavaeTo touch the endless inner spring,
Indrae ingae meelgirenI redeem myself right here today.
Indrae ingae aazhgirenI immerse myself right here today.
Male
Hey yaarapolHey, like a stranger,
Naan ennai paarkirenI look at my own self.
Yedhum illamalae iyalbaaiNaturally, without attached baggage,
Sudar pol thelivaaiClear as a flame,
Male
Naanae illathaIn the depth where
Aazhathil naan vaazhgirenMy ego doesn't exist, I live.
Kannadiyaai piranthaeBeing born like a mirror,
Kaangindra ellamum naan aagirenI become everything that I behold.
Male
Iru kaalin idayilaeRight between the two legs,
Urasum poonaiyaaiLike a cat rubbing against,
Vazhkai pothum adadaLife feels cozy and sufficient, oh my!
Ethir kaanum yaavumaeEverything that appears before me
Theenda thoondum azhaga…aa…Is beauty tempting me to touch it.
Male
Naanae naanai iruppenI will remain truly as myself,
Naalil pooraai vasippenI will dwell completely in every day.
Polae vazhnthae salikkumLiving just for appearances gets tiresome,
Vazhvai marukkirenSo I reject such a life.
Vaagai vaagai vazhgirenI live in diverse, glorious ways.
Paagai paagai aagirenI melt away like sweet jaggery syrup.
Male
Tho kaatroduLook, along with the wind,
Vallooru thaan poguthaeA falcon glides along.
Paadhai illamalae azhagaaiBeautifully without any predefined path,
Nigazhae athuvaiBecoming the present moment itself.
Male
Neerin aazhathilIn the deep abyss of water,
Pogindra kal polavaeLike a stone sinking down,
Oosai ellam thuranthaeRenouncing all noise and sound,
Kaangindra katchikkul naan moozhginenI submerge myself into the scene I behold.
Male
Thimileri kaalai melAtop a bull with a majestic hump,
Thoongum kaagamaiLike a crow resting in sleep,
Boomi meethu iruppenI will abide upon this earth.
Puvi pogum pokkil kai korthuHolding hands with the earth's natural flow,
Naanum nadappenI too shall walk along.
Male
Yedho eagam eluthaeSome deep longing arises inside,
Aaha aazham tharuthaeAh, it bestows a profound depth!
Thaai pol vazhum ganamaeOh moment, living like a nurturing mother,
Aaro paaduthae..ae….A lullaby is being sung...
Aaro aarirariro..oooLullaby vocalizations (Aaro aarirariro...)
Aaro aarirariro..ooo…Lullaby vocalizations (Aaro aarirariro...)
Male
Karai vantha piragae…ae….Only after reaching the shore,
Pidikuthu kadalai….ee…..I fall in love with the ocean.
Narai vantha piragae…ae….Only after greying hair arrives,
Puriyuthu ulagai….ee…..I understand the world.
Male
Netrin inbangal yaavum koodiyaeAll of yesterday's pleasures coming together,
Indrai ippothai artham aakkuthaeMake today and this moment meaningful.
Indrin ippothin inbam yaavumaeAll the joys of today and this present moment,
Naalai orr artham kaatumaeWill reveal a purpose for tomorrow.
Male
Thaanae thaanae nanae nae…ae…Vocal humming (Thaanae nanae...)
Thaanae thaanae nanae nae…Vocal humming (Thaanae nanae...)
Thaanae thaanae nanae nae…ae..Vocal humming (Thaanae nanae...)
Thaanae thaanae nanae nae…Vocal humming (Thaanae nanae...)
Male
Thaanae thaanae nanae nae…ae…Vocal humming (Thaanae nanae...)
Thaanae thaanae nanae nae…Vocal humming (Thaanae nanae...)
Thaanae thaanae nanae nae…ae..Vocal humming (Thaanae nanae...)
Thaanae….aa…..aa….Vocal humming (Thaanae...)

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Life of Ram' from the film '96' (2018) is a soulful, philosophical anthem capturing the essence of solitude, nature, and living in the present moment. Through the eyes of Ram, a travel photographer, the lyrics convey a state of deep contentment derived from non-attachment, self-awareness, and harmony with the universe. Rather than seeking validation or social conformity, Ram finds peace in observation—viewing himself like a stranger, reflecting the world like a mirror, and moving freely like a falcon in the wind. The song reflects on how wisdom and appreciation often arrive through distance and age, encouraging mindfulness and gratitude for life's understated beauty.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Sudar pol thelivaai

Compares clarity of self-realization to a bright, clear flame.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Kannadiyaai piranthae / Kaangindra ellamum naan aagiren

Compares the speaker to a mirror that reflects and absorbs whatever it beholds.

Simile (Upamai)

Iru kaalin idayilae / Urasum poonaiyaai / Vazhkai pothum adada

Compares life's comforting, affectionate nature to a pet cat rubbing against one's legs.

Simile (Upamai)

Neerin aazhathil / Pogindra kal polavae

Compares submerging into nature/art quietly to a stone sinking into deep water without noise.

Simile (Upamai)

Thimileri kaalai mel / Thoongum kaagamai

Compares resting peacefully on earth to a crow sleeping undisturbed on a bull's hump.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Life of Ram' was composed by Govind Vasantha, written by Karthik Netha, and sung by Pradeep Kumar. The song acts as the character introduction for Ram (played by Vijay Sethupathi) in '96'. Karthik Netha won the Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist – Tamil for his evocative work on this track.

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