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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Thookkamilla Thookkamilla

From Samsarame Saranam · 1989

Lyricist
Jeevabalan
Singer
Gangai Amaran
Music director
Gangai Amaran
Details
Samsarame Saranam1989

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Aariraariro aariraariroAariraariro, aariraariro,
Ariro aariraariroAriro, aariraariro.
Aariraariro aariraariroAariraariro, aariraariro,
Ariro aariraariro….oo….Ariro, aariraariro...
Male
Thookkamilla thookkamillaSleeplessness, sleeplessness,
Yaarukkum Inae thookkamillaNo one here has sleep.
Thookkamilla thookkamillaSleeplessness, sleeplessness,
Yaarukkum Ingae thookkamillaNo one here has sleep.
Male
Yaekkaththula vaaduthungaWandering in longings,
Eththanaiyo nenjamungaSo many hearts suffer,
Ahthanaiyum theduthungaAll of them are searching,
Nimmathiya kaanumungaThey cannot find peace of mind.
Male
Thookkamilla thookkamillaSleeplessness, sleeplessness,
Yaarukkum Inae thookkamillaNo one here has sleep.
Thookkamilla thookkamillaSleeplessness, sleeplessness,
Yaarukkum Ingae thookkamillaNo one here has sleep.
Male
Velaiyillaa kaalaiyarkkuFor unemployed young men,
Vedhanaiyil thookkamillaThere is no sleep due to pain and agony.
Kaadhal konda ennaththilaeWith thoughts filled with love,
Kanniyarkku thookkamillaYoung maidens lose their sleep.
Male
Uravaal ingu manathil yaekkamLonging arises in hearts due to relationships,
Pirivaal dhinamum kalaiyum thookkamSleep vanishes daily due to separation,
Aaga moththam bhoomiyilae yaarum thoongavillaAltogether, nobody on this earth is sleeping,
Padum sodhanai konjamillaThe trials and tribulations faced are not small.
Male
Thookkamilla thookkamillaSleeplessness, sleeplessness,
Yaarukkum Inae thookkamillaNo one here has sleep.
Thookkamilla thookkamillaSleeplessness, sleeplessness,
Yaarukkum Ingae thookkamilla….No one here has sleep....

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Thookkamilla Thookkamilla' from the movie Samsarame Saranam offers a poignant commentary on human restlessness and social struggles. Framing the song ironic as a lullaby (using traditional soothe sounds like 'Aariraariro'), it subverts expectations by describing how no one in society can actually find sleep.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Irony / Paradox

Aariraariro aariraariro

Using traditional lullaby chants ('Aariraariro') which are meant to induce sleep to emphasize widespread sleeplessness and distress.

Anaphora / Repetition

Thookkamilla thookkamilla

Repetition of the keyword 'Thookkamilla' (sleeplessness) highlights the universal theme of chronic restlessness across society.

Emonai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Velaiyillaa kaalaiyarkku / Vedhanaiyil thookkamilla

Matching the initial consonants and vowel sounds in Tamil poetry prosody ('Velaiyillaa' and 'Vedhanaiyil').

Did you know?

Trivia

Samsarame Saranam (1989) was directed by Gangai Amaran. The song cleverly subverts the lullaby genre to highlight societal issues like youth unemployment and emotional heartache.

Keep listening

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