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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thedi Thedi

From 60 Vayathu Maaniram · 2018

Lyricist
Pazhani Bharathi
Singers
Benny Dayal, Vibhavari Apte-Joshi
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
60 Vayathu Maaniram2018

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Thedi thedi odum kangalEyes that run searching and searching,
Thedum uyirai paaraathoWon't they see the soul they search for?
Male :Thedi thedi odum kaalgal(Male) Feet that run searching and searching,
Thedum idathai saeraathoWon't they reach the place they search for?
Female
Vinnai thedi pogum megamThe cloud that goes searching for the sky,
Mannai thedi sindhum vannamThe way it showers down searching for the earth,
Puthirallavaa…aaa…aaa…Isn't it a puzzle...?
Male
Thedi thedi odum kangalEyes that run searching and searching,
Thedi thedi…..eee……Searching and searching...
Female
Thedaamal ingae yedhumWithout searching, here
Vaazhkai ondrum illaiLife is nothing at all.
Thedaamal theda thaanaeWithout searching, just to search,
Vanthom naamWe came.
Male
Boomikkul neerai thediSearching for water inside the earth,
Odum verai polaeLike the roots that run,
Yethyetho paadhai maariChanging various paths,
Sendrom naamWe went.
Female
Yaarai thedi inguSearching for whom here,
Yaaro yaaroSomeone, someone...
Veesum kaatru adhai koorathooWon't the blowing wind tell that?
Male :Poovin koottam sollum(Male) The gathering of flowers will sing
Aari raarooA lullaby...
Thedum inbam innum koodaathooWon't the happiness searched for increase further?
Female
Vaanil ulla vannam ezhumThe seven colors in the sky
PothaathaeAre not enough,
Thedalgal theerathae….Searches never end...
Male
Thedi thedi odum kangalEyes that run searching and searching,
Thedum uyirai paaraathoWon't they see the soul they search for?
Female :Thedi thedi odum kaalgal(Female) Feet that run searching and searching,
Thedum idathai saeraathoWon't they reach the place they search for?
Male
Pookkal mel odi odiRunning over the flowers,
Thedi vantha kaatruThe wind that came searching,
Vaasathin vaarthai ondrai sollaathoWon't it speak a word of fragrance?
Female
Engeyo moongil kaatilSomewhere in the bamboo forest,
Ketkkum antha paatuThat song being heard,
En nenjin thedal enna sollaathoWon't it tell the search of my heart?
Male
Koondukullae vaazhumLiving inside a shell,
Naththai nenjamThe heart of a snail,
Thedal kondaal vinnai thaandaathoIf it seeks, won't it cross the sky?
Female
Suzhal kaatrilIn the whirlwind,
Sutri vizhum pookkalFlowers falling in swirls,
Nesam kondu kaigal thaangaathoWon't hands hold them with affection?
Male
Thedal konda nenjamA heart that holds a search
Endrum ooyathaeWill never rest,
Thedalgal theeraathaeSearches will never end.
Female
Thedi thedi odum kangalEyes that run searching and searching,
Thedum uyirai paaraathoWon't they see the soul they search for?
Male :Thedi thedi odum kaalgal(Male) Feet that run searching and searching,
Thedum idathai saeraathoWon't they reach the place they search for?
Female
Vinnai thedi pogum megamThe cloud that goes searching for the sky,
Mannai thedi sindhum vannamThe way it showers down searching for the earth,
Puthirallavaa…aaa…aaa…Isn't it a puzzle...?
Female
Thedi thedi odum kangalEyes that run searching and searching,
Thedi thedi…..eee……Searching and searching...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song delves deep into the existential concept of searching ('Thedal') as the fundamental essence of human existence. It expresses how life itself is a quest for purpose, love, belonging, and connection. Using evocative metaphors from nature—such as clouds reaching for the sky and earth, roots seeking underground water, and winds carrying fragrance—the lyrics illustrate how every element in the universe is driven by a restless search.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Adukku Thodar (Repetition for Emphasis)

Thedi thedi odum kangal

The words 'Thedi thedi' are repeated continuously to emphasize the endless, persistent nature of human searching.

Upamai (Simile)

Boomikkul neerai thedi odum verai polae

Human life's search across changing paths is directly compared to roots spreading under the earth in search of water.

Edhugai (Second-letter Rhyme)

Vinnai thedi pogum megam / Mannai thedi sindhum vannam

The second consonant 'n' (ன) in 'Vinnai' and 'Mannai' creates a rhythmic harmony connecting the sky and earth imagery.

Personification

Vaasathin vaarthai ondrai sollaatho

The blowing wind and flowers are given human attributes of speaking words and singing lullabies.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film '60 Vayathu Maaniram' (2018), directed by Radha Mohan, features a soundtrack composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja. The movie is an official remake of the acclaimed Kannada film 'Godhi Banna Sadharana Mykattu' and centers around a son searching for his missing elderly father suffering from Alzheimer's, making the motif of 'searching' the central theme of both the story and this song.

Keep listening

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