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Iru Thuruvam album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Thulli Varum

From Iru Thuruvam · 1971

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
Seerkazhi Govindarajan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Movie name
Iru Thuruvam
Movie release year
1971
Lyrics added on
28 Aug 2023

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Thulli varum sooraikaattru
Thudikkuthoru thennanthoppu
Thulli varum sooraikaattru
Thudikkuthoru thennanthoppu
Illai oru paathukaappu
Idhuthaanaa iraivan theerppu
Idhuthaanaa iraivan theerppu
Veli illaa thottam endraal
Meivatharkku kaalai undu
Veli illaa thottam endraal
Meivatharkku kaalai undu
Kaavalillaa kanni endraal
Kann kalangum vaazhkkai undu
Kaavalillaa kanni endraal
Kann kalangum vaazhkkai undu
Illai oru paathukaappu
Idhuthaanaa iraivan theerppu
Kanivu konda kaigalum illai
Karunai kaattum kangalum illai
Karunai kaattum kangalum illai
Kanivu konda kaigalum illai
Karunai kaattum kangalum illai
Thanimaiyodu varumai vanthaal
Dharmam yaen kaval illai
Illai oru paathukaappu
Idhuthaanaa iraivan theerppu
Thulli varum sooraikaattru
Thudikkuthoru thennanthoppu
Illai oru paathukaappu
Idhuthaanaa iraivan theerppu
Idhuthaanaa iraivan theerppu
A raging storm comes leaping in,
A coconut grove trembles in distress.
A raging storm comes leaping in,
A coconut grove trembles in distress.
There is no safety anywhere,
Is this the judgment of God?
Is this the judgment of God?
If a garden has no fence,
Bulls will come to graze and destroy it.
If a garden has no fence,
Bulls will come to graze and destroy it.
If a young woman has no protector,
A life of tears awaits her...
If a young woman has no protector,
A life of tears awaits her...
There is no safety anywhere,
Is this the judgment of God?
There are no gentle hands to comfort,
Nor any eyes to look with mercy.
No eyes to see, no eyes to care.
There are no gentle hands to comfort,
Nor any eyes to look with mercy.
When poverty strikes along with loneliness,
Why does righteousness fail to protect?
There is no safety anywhere,
Is this the judgment of God?
A raging storm comes leaping in,
A coconut grove trembles in distress.
There is no safety anywhere,
Is this the judgment of God?
Is this the judgment of God?
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Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This poignant song uses natural metaphors to depict the vulnerability of helpless and destitute people in society. The roaring storm represents cruel societal forces, while the quivering coconut grove represents an unprotected family or maiden. The lyrics highlight how an unfenced garden is easily exploited by wandering cattle, drawing a parallel to how a woman or family lacking protection and support becomes a target for adversity. Through deeply reflective questions, lyricist Kannadasan laments the absence of empathy and questions divine justice, asking why righteousness remains silent when poverty and isolation strike.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Veli illaa thottam endraal / Meivatharkku kaalai undu

Compares an unprotected maiden or helpless person to a fence-less garden grazed by stray cattle, and a coconut grove trembling in a tempest.

Moonaikkal (Initial Alliteration)

Thulli varum sooraikaattru / Thudikkuthoru thennanthoppu

Repetition of the initial 'Th' sound ('Thulli' and 'Thudikkuthoru') creates a rhythmic, dramatic effect matching the storm imagery.

Anaphora (Repetition for Emphasis)

Idhuthaanaa iraivan theerppu

Repeated questioning of God's verdict reinforces the narrator's angst and existential grief.

Did you know?

Trivia

Featured in the 1971 Tamil film 'Iru Thuruvam' starring Sivaji Ganesan and Padmini, this track showcases Seerkazhi Govindarajan's powerful vocal delivery suited for dramatic and emotional high points in Tamil cinema.

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