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Lyrics & meaning

Thuyar Thaanaa Vaazhvil

From Kalyani (1952) · 1952

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
K. Rani
Music directors
S. Dakshinamurthi, G. Ramanathan
Details
Kalyani (1952)1952

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Thuyarthaanaa vaazhvae ariyaenIs life filled only with sorrow? I do not know.
Sugamethum kaanaen bhuvimaelI see no happiness anywhere on this earth.
Vaazhnaalellaam sogamae kaanavoAm I destined to see only sadness all my life?
Jeevanae vaadavoIs my life spirit meant to wither away?
Female
Thuyarthaanaa vaazhvae ariyaenIs life filled only with sorrow? I do not know.
Sugamethum kaanaen bhuvimaelI see no happiness anywhere on this earth.
Vaazhnaalellaam sogamae kaanavoAm I destined to see only sadness all my life?
Jeevanae vaadavoIs my life spirit meant to wither away?
Female
Kannil neerthaanaa en kaalam paazhthaanaaIs my time wasted only with tears in my eyes?
Kaanal neeraai pomaa aasai vaanaamoWill my boundless desires vanish like a mirage?
Yaedhum kaana paavi vaazhvathaen naanaeWhy do I live as a sinner unable to see any joy?
Female
Thunba theeyaalae mei sornthu manmaelaeExhausted by the fire of sorrow, my body collapses on the ground.
Vaaduvaeno paavi vaazhumo aaviWill I wither away as a sinner? Will my spirit live on?
Yaarum kaanaen thaayae kaanuvaai neeyae…I see no one else, oh Mother; you alone will behold my plight.
Female
Thuyarthaanaa vaazhvae ariyaen….Is life filled only with sorrow? I do not know...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song expresses profound despair, grief, and existential questioning from a soul burdened by relentless suffering. The protagonist laments that her life appears to hold nothing but sorrow, wondering if happiness is entirely elusive on earth. She feels her hopes fading like a mirage and her spirit burning in the fire of misery, ultimately turning to the divine Mother as her sole witness and refuge in her moment of utter helplessness.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvam)

Thunba theeyaalae mei sornthu manmaelae

Sorrow is metaphorically portrayed as a burning fire ('Thunba theey') that physically and mentally wears down the body.

Simile / Metaphor

Kaanal neeraai pomaa aasai vaanaamo

Desires are compared to a mirage ('Kaanal neer'), symbolizing unfulfilled and elusive dreams.

Iyaibu (End Rhyme)

Vaaduvaeno paavi vaazhumo aavi

The repetition of matching rhythmic endings ('paavi', 'aavi') creates a melancholic, poetic cadence.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Kalyani' (1952) represents one of the early classic collaborations featuring lyrics by Kannadasan, whose mastery in expressing deep emotional agony and philosophical reflection became a hallmark of Tamil film lyricism.

Keep listening

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