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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ulaga Vaazhkkaiye

From Rajadhi Raja · 1989

Lyricist
Isaignani Ilayaraja
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Rajadhi Raja1989

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics↻ English translation
Male
Ulaga vazhkaiyaeWorldly life itself
Ingu jailu vaazhkai thaanIs just a prison life here
Ingu ulavum perellaamEveryone who wanders here
Athil kaithi pola thaanIs like a prisoner in it
Male
Ulaga vazhkaiyaeWorldly life itself
Ingu jailu vaazhkai thaanIs just a prison life here
Ingu ulavum perellaamEveryone who wanders here
Athil kaithi pola thaanIs like a prisoner in it
Male
Inga suvaru kullaeInside these walls here
Engala pottu adachi veikanumaShould we be locked up tight?
Adhil kambi pottaWith iron bars on it
Kadhava moodi pooti veikanumaShould the doors be shut and locked?
Chorus
Inga suvaru kullaeInside these walls here
Engala pottu adachi veikanumaShould we be locked up tight?
Adhil kambi pottaWith iron bars on it
Kadhava moodi pooti veikanumaShould the doors be shut and locked?
Male
Jailu kulla naangal ellaamAll of us inside this prison
Kuththam senji vanthomCame here because we committed crimes
Ada jailer aiyaa enna kuththamOh, but what crime did the jailer sir
Senji ulla vanthaaruCommit to end up coming inside?
Chorus
Ha haa haaHa haa haa
Hey hey heyHey hey hey
Oh oho ohoOh oho oho
Male
Jailu kulla naangal ellaamAll of us inside this prison
Kuththam senji vanthomCame here because we committed crimes
Ada jailer aiyaa enna kuththamOh, but what crime did the jailer sir
Senji ulla vanthaaruCommit to end up coming inside?
Male
Ulaga vazhkaiyaeWorldly life itself
Ingu jailu vaazhkai thaanIs just a prison life here
Ingu ulavum perellaamEveryone who wanders here
Athil kaithi pola thaanIs like a prisoner in it
Chorus
Inga suvaru kullaeInside these walls here
Engala pottu adachi veikanumaShould we be locked up tight?
Adhil kambi pottaWith iron bars on it
Kadhava moodi pooti veikanumaShould the doors be shut and locked?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song uses a prison setting to present a philosophical yet humorous metaphor for human life. The lyrics argue that the entire world functions like a prison, where human beings wander trapped like inmates bound by worldly duties and circumstances. The song takes a witty, satirical turn by mocking the jailer himself, questioning what crime he must have committed to be trapped inside the prison alongside the convicts, thereby erasing the distinction between the captor and the captive.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Uvamai)

“Athil kaithi pola thaan”

Compares human beings wandering in the world directly to prisoners using 'pola thaan' (like a prisoner).

Metaphor (Uruvagham)

“Ulaga vazhkaiyae Ingu jailu vaazhkai thaan”

Equates worldly life directly with life in a prison ('Ulaga vazhkaiyae Ingu jailu vaazhkai thaan').

Irony / Satire (Nagaichuvai / Marutham)

“Ada jailer aiyaa enna kuththam Senji ulla vanthaaru”

Humorously points out the irony that the jailer, who guards the criminals, spends his life locked in the same prison environment.

Did you know?

Trivia

The song is from the 1989 blockbuster Tamil film Rajadhi Raja starring Rajinikanth in a dual role. Directed by R. Sundarrajan, the film's music was composed by Isaignani Ilaiyaraaja, who also penned the lyrics for this fun, satirical track.

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