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Isaimozhi
Nalla Penmani album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Thottilil Azhutha Kathai

From Nalla Penmani · 1979

Lyricist
Na. Kamarasan
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
V. Kumar
Movie name
Nalla Penmani
Movie release year
1979
Lyrics added on
26 Dec 2023

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Thottilil azhutha kadhai thodarkadhai
En kattilil valarntha kadhai vidukadhai
Thottilil azhutha kadhai thodarkadhai
En kattilil valarntha kadhai vidukadhai
Thottilil azhutha kadhai thodarkadhai
En kattilil valarntha kadhai vidukadhai
Thottilil azhutha kadhai thodarkadhai
En kattilil valarntha kadhai vidukadhai
Iyarkkaiyin veettilae vanthathu iru nilavu
Iyarkkaiyin veettilae irupathu orr nilavu
Ennudan vaazhvilae vanthathu oru nilavu
Irunthum yaeno maaraatha irul enakku
Nadhiyena odiyum sangama izhanthavan
Vithiyenum kodiyavan
Vilaiyaadum medai naan
Vilaiyaadum medai naan
Thottilil azhutha kadhai thodarkadhai
En kattilil valarntha kadhai vidukadhai
Thottilil azhutha kadhai thodarkadhai
Ennodu piranthavalae kaaviyam
Aval enakkaga vaazhantha kadhai aayiram
Ennodu piranthavalae kaaviyam
Aval enakkaga vaazhantha kadhai aayiram
Thaayin parivu thanthaiyin kanivu
Thaayin parivu thanthaiyin kanivu
Guruvin nyaanam thalaivanin needhi
Guruvin nyaanam thalaivanin needhi
Ithanaiyum konda magal vaadinaal
Aval ennaalae kanneeril aadinaal
Thottilil azhutha kadhai thodarkadhai
En kattilil valarntha kadhai vidukadhai
Thottilil azhutha kadhai thodarkadhai
Thodarkadhai…..thodarkadhai…..
The story of weeping in the cradle is a never-ending tale,
The story that grew on my bed is an unsolved riddle.
The story of weeping in the cradle is a never-ending tale,
The story that grew on my bed is an unsolved riddle.
The story of weeping in the cradle is a never-ending tale,
The story that grew on my bed is an unsolved riddle.
The story of weeping in the cradle is a never-ending tale,
The story that grew on my bed is an unsolved riddle.
In nature's home came two moons,
In nature's home there is only one moon,
In my life there came two moons,
Yet why does this unchanging darkness still surround me?
Though I flowed like a river, I lost my union with the sea,
I am only the stage where cruel fate
Plays out its painful game,
Plays out its painful game.
The story of weeping in the cradle is a never-ending tale,
The story that grew on my bed is an unsolved riddle.
The story of weeping in the cradle is a never-ending tale,
The sister born along with me is a timeless epic,
The stories of how she lived for me are a thousand.
The sister born along with me is a timeless epic,
The stories of how she lived for me are a thousand.
A mother's loving care, a father's gentle kindness,
A mother's loving care, a father's gentle kindness,
A teacher's wisdom, a noble leader's justice—
A teacher's wisdom, a noble leader's justice—
A daughter blessed with all of this has withered away,
And because of me, she is drowning in tears.
The story of weeping in the cradle is a never-ending tale,
The story that grew on my bed is an unsolved riddle.
The story of weeping in the cradle is a never-ending tale...
A never-ending tale... a never-ending tale...
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This poignant song expresses intense grief and existential anguish over a life filled with unending tragedy and lost happiness. The protagonist reflects on how sorrow has followed him from infanthood in the cradle to adulthood, making his life an unsolved riddle. He laments the cruel hand of fate that took away joy and light, leaving him in perpetual darkness like a river that never reaches the ocean. He pays tribute to his sister or loved companion, describing her as a living epic who selflessly lived for his sake and embodied all great virtues—maternal love, paternal care, wisdom, and fairness. Yet, despite her noble nature, she ended up in tears because of him, driving home the painful reality of their tragic destiny.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Rupagam)

“Vithiyenum kodiyavan vilaiyaadum medai naan”

Comparing the singer's life/body to a stage where cruel fate plays its games.

Metaphor (Rupagam)

“Ennodu piranthavalae kaaviyam”

Comparing the loved one born alongside him to a literary epic ('kaaviyam').

Antithesis / Contrast (Muran)

“Ennudan vaazhvilae vanthathu oru nilavu / Irunthum yaeno maaraatha irul enakku”

Juxtaposing light ('nilavu' - moon) with enduring gloom ('irul' - darkness).

Rhyme & Rhythm (Edhugai / Iyaibu)

“Thottilil azhutha kadhai thodarkadhai / En kattilil valarntha kadhai vidukadhai”

Use of matching end words and second-letter rhymes ('Thottilil' / 'Kattilil', 'Thodarkadhai' / 'Vidukadhai').

Did you know?

Trivia

This emotional track from the 1979 film 'Nalla Penmani' features lyrics by the renowned Tamil poet Na. Kamarasan, with music composed by V. Kumar. Sung with deep emotion by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, the song's opening refrain 'Thottilil azhutha kadhai thodarkadhai' became a famous phrase in Tamil popular culture to describe endless suffering.

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