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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Udhaya Geetham Paaduven

From Udhaya Geetham · 1985

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Udhaya Geetham1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Aaaa….aaa…aaaa…Aaaa....aaa...aaaa...
Haaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…aaa…Haaa...aaa...aaa...aaa...aaa...
Aaa…..aaaa…aaa….aaaa…aaa….Aaa.....aaaa...aaa....aaaa...aaa....
Male
Udhaya geedham paaduvenI will sing the song of dawn
Uyirgalai naan thoduvenI will touch and move human souls
Udhaya geedham paaduvenI will sing the song of dawn
Oligalil poo thodupenI will weave flowers out of musical sound waves
Male
Ulagamellaam marandhu pogumThe whole world will forget its sorrows
Maranam kooda irandhu pogumEven death itself will perish
Kuzhanthaikaagavae….Only for the sake of the child....
Male
Udhaya geedham paaduvenI will sing the song of dawn
Udhaya geedham paaduvenI will sing the song of dawn
Male
Pillai naalai paarkkumaeThe child will look for me tomorrow
Ennai engae endru ketkkumaeIt will ask where I have gone
Kangal neerai vaarkkumaeIts eyes will shed tears
Adhu sindhum kanneer theerthamaeThe tears it sheds are holy water to me
Male
Tholil maalai maalaiyilA garland around my neck in the evening
Thookku medai kaalaiyilThe gallows platform waiting in the morning
Alugindra ullangalaeO weeping, tender hearts
Vazhga vaazhga vae…ae…ae….ae….May you live long and prosper...
Male
Udhaya geedham paaduvenI will sing the song of dawn
Uyirgalai naan thoduvenI will touch and move human souls
Ulagamellaam marandhu pogumThe whole world will forget its sorrows
Maranam kooda irandhu pogumEven death itself will perish
KuzhanthaikkaagavaeFor the sake of the child
Male
Udhaya geedham paaduvenI will sing the song of dawn
Udhaya geedham paaduvenI will sing the song of dawn
Male
Kannae theerum sodhanaiMy precious child, this ordeal will soon end
Iru kannil enna vedhanaiWhy is there such agony in both your eyes?
Kanden endhan jeevanaiI have found my life's true meaning
En saavil kooda saadhanaiThere is triumph even in my impending death
Male
Naalai naanum saagirenTomorrow I too will die
Unnil naanae vaazhgirenYet I shall live on through you
Pooppondra ullangalaeO flower-like pure hearts
Vaazhga vaazhgavae …ae….ae…..May you live long and prosper...
Male
Udhaya geedham paaduvenI will sing the song of dawn
Uyirgalai naan thoduvenI will touch and move human souls
Ulagamellaam marandhu pogumThe whole world will forget its sorrows
Maranam kooda irandhu pogumEven death itself will perish
KuzhanthaikkaagavaeFor the sake of the child
Male
Udhaya geedham paaduvenI will sing the song of dawn
Udhaya geedham paaduvenI will sing the song of dawn

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Udhaya Geetham Paaduven is an emotionally charged song sung from the perspective of a death row inmate facing imminent execution. Despite the tragedy of his impending demise, the protagonist finds solace and purpose in his sacrifice for an innocent child. He views his music as a force capable of transcending mortality, healing broken hearts, and leaving behind a lasting legacy of love and hope.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Paradox / Oxymoron (முரண்)

Maranam kooda irandhu pogum

Maranam kooda irandhu pogum (Even death will die) uses paradox to emphasize the eternal, immortal power of music and love over physical mortality.

Metaphor (உருவகம்)

Oligalil poo thodupen

Oligalil poo thodupen compares creating musical notes/sounds to weaving delicate flowers into a garland.

Monorhyme & Rhyme (எதுகை / இயைபு)

Tholil maalai maalaiyil / Thookku medai kaalaiyil

Maalaiyil (evening) and Kaalaiyil (morning) contrast time while maintaining structural rhyme, highlighting the stark shift from honor to execution.

Simile (உவமை)

Pooppondra ullangalae

Pooppondra ullangalae compares pure, innocent hearts to tender flowers.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is from the blockbuster 1985 romantic drama Udhaya Geetham directed by K. Rangaraj, starring Mohan. Composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja and sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Mohan's portrayal of a singing inmate on death row earned him immense popularity as 'Mike Mohan'.

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