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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Theeyil Vizhundha

From Varalaaru · 2006

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
A. R. Rahman
Music director
A. R. Rahman
Details
Varalaaru2006

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Yeh…..eh…eh….(3)Yeh.....eh...eh....
Male
Theeyil vizhuntha thaenaIs it honey fallen into the fire?
Ivan theeyil vadintha thaenaIs he honey distilled in the fire?
Thaayai kaakkum maganaIs he a son who protects his mother?
Illai………Or.........
Thaayum aanavana….Has he himself become a mother?
Male
Theeyil vizhuntha thaenaIs it honey fallen into the fire?
Ivan theeyil vadintha thaenaIs he honey distilled in the fire?
Thaayai kaakkum maganaIs he a son who protects his mother?
Illai………Or.........
Thaayum aanavana….Has he himself become a mother?
Male
Mazhayin neer vaangi ..Receiving the rainwater...
Malaiyae azhuvathu pol..Just as the mountain itself weeps...
Thaayin uyir thangiSustaining the mother's life,
Thanayan azhuvaano..Will the son weep?
Uyirai thanthavalinThe one who gave him life...
Uyirai kappaanaa…Will he save her life?
Kadanai theerpaana ….Will he repay his debt?
Male
Yeh…..eh…eh….(3)Yeh.....eh...eh....
Male
Thangam polaeShe who was once like gold,
Irunthaval thaanOn the day she turned like a dry fallen leaf,
Sarugai polae aanatha naalWill the son who was like a lion,
Singam polae iruntha maganBecome like a caring nurse?
Seviliyai polae aavaana…Is it honey fallen into the fire?
Male
Theeyil vizhuntha thaenaIs he honey distilled in the fire?
Ivan theeyil vadintha thaenaIs he a son who protects his mother?
Thaayai kaakkum maganaOr.........
Illai………Has he himself become a mother?
Thaayum aanavana…In one word, a whole world is mother...
Male
Orr sollil orr ulagam amma…aa..The entire world is just one word: mother...
Ulagellaam orr sollum amma…In one word, a whole world is mother... mother
Orr sollil orr ulagam amma…ammaThe entire world is just one word: mother...
Ulagellaam orr sollum amma…I remained as the child you carried, mother...
Male
Nee sumantha pillaiyaaiNow you have become the child I carry... mother...
Naanirunthen amma….If something happens to me,
Naan sumakkum pillaiyaaiYou have another child...
Nee aanaai …amma…….If something happens to you...
Male
Enakedhum aanathunaaDo I have another mother?
Unakku veru pillai undu..Ah... ahaaaa....
Unnakethum aanathunaa….. .Yeh.....eh...eh....
Enakku veru thaayirukka…She who fed her heart to raise him,
Ah… ahaaaa….She who carried him as the apple of her eye,
Male
Yeh…..eh…eh….(3)Will he leave her in the dirt?
Male
Nenjai ooti valarthavalaiWill he carry her only in his heart?
Kannil maniyaai sumanthavalaiIs it honey fallen into the fire?
Mannil vittu viduvaanaIs he honey distilled in the fire?
Manathil mattum sumapaana…Is he a son who protects his mother?
Male
Theeyil vizhuntha thaenaOr.........
Ivan theeyil vadintha thaenaHas he become the mother himself?
Thaayai kaakkum maganaThe mother's lap alone
Illai………Is where the world begins.
Thaayumaanavana…At the mother's feet alone
Male
Thaayin madithaanaeIs where the world ends.
Ulagam thodungum idamThe one who gave him life...
Thaayin kaaladiyaeWill he save her life?
Ulagam mudiyum idamWill he repay his debt?
Male
Uyirai thanthavalinAh... ahaaaa....
Uyirai kappaanaaYeh.....eh...eh....
Kadanai theerpaanaIn the memory of the compassionate mother,
Ah… ahaaaa….Even stones will weep sweetly.
Male
Yeh…..eh…eh….(3)After the teardrops fall,
Male
Karunai thaayin ninaivinilaeEven the pupils of the eyes will fall away.
Kallum konchum azhudhuvidumIs it honey fallen into the fire?
Kanneer thuligal viluntha pinnaeIs he honey distilled in the fire?
Kannin manigalum vizhunthu vidumIs he a son who protects his mother?
Male
Theeyil vizhuntha thaenaOr.........
Ivan theeyil vadintha thaenaHas he himself become a mother?
Thaayai kaakkum maganaIs it honey fallen into the fire?
Illai………Is he honey distilled in the fire?
Thaayum aanavana…Is he a son who protects his mother?
Male
Theeyil vizhuntha thaenaOr.........
Ivan theeyil vadintha thaenaHas he himself become a mother?
Thaayai kaakkum maganaOr.........
Illai………Has he himself become a mother?
Thaayum aanavana…Or.........
Illai………Has he himself become a mother?
Thaayum aanavana…
Illai………
Thaayum aanavana…

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This emotionally charged song from the movie Varalaaru (2006) explores the profound bond between a mother and her son during a critical moment of suffering. The lyrics reflect on the role reversal that occurs when a mother becomes fragile like a dry leaf, requiring her strong son to act as a gentle caretaker and maternal protector (Thayumaanavan). Through vivid allegories of honey, fire, and mountains, Vairamuthu highlights the boundless sacrifice of mothers and questions whether a son can ever truly repay the life debt owed to the person who gave him existence.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamaani / Uruvakam)

Theeyil vizhuntha thaena

Comparing the delicate mother and son to 'honey in fire' (Theeyil vizhuntha thaena) to portray extreme distress and purity.

Simile (Uvamai)

Thangam polae irunthaval thaan sarugai polae aanatha naal

Comparing the mother's golden past to 'gold' (Thangam polae) and present fragile state to a 'dry leaf' (Sarugai polae).

Contrast / Antithesis (Muran)

Nee sumantha pillaiyaai naanirunthen... Naan sumakkum pillaiyaai nee aanaai

Contrasting the child being carried in the womb vs the son carrying the mother in her old age.

Hyperbole (Uyarvu Navortchi)

Kallum konchum azhudhuvidum

Exaggerating grief by stating even stones would softly cry in memory of the mother.

Did you know?

Trivia

Although listed as Unknown in the context prompt, the music for 'Theeyil Vizhuntha Thaena' was composed by A. R. Rahman and sung by his sister A. R. Reihana. The song plays during a poignant dramatic juncture in K. S. Ravikumar's 'Varalaaru' (2006) starring Ajith Kumar in a triple role.

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