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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Ulagam Kadasivara

From Rail · 2024

Lyricist
Ramesh Vaidya
Singer
Thenisai Thendral Deva
Music director
S. J. Jananiy
Details
Rail2024

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Ulagom kadasi varaiUntil the very end of the world,
Kanna moochi thaaneIt is just a game of hide and seek.
Jeyippu thoppu ellamVictory and defeat,
Maarum katchi thanAre merely changing scenes.
Pala thiruppamWith many twists,
Serum katha polaLike a story coming together,
UrumaarumeLife transforms itself.
Siru kanavu athuA small dream,
Kalanje pogumeWill just dissolve and disappear.
Irukum pothu verukumWe despise something when we have it,
Onnu maraiyum pothu thavikumAnd long for it when it disappears.
Nenje oru nilaiyilla korangu thanThe heart is like an restless, unstable monkey.
Elakku ethum illaThere is no destination,
Nalla nadakka theriyalaI do not know how to walk properly.
Alayil aadum padagoLike a boat dancing on the waves,
Ithu karai seralaThis fails to reach the shore.
Dhesaiyum valiyum puripadalaNeither the direction nor the path is clear.
Dhesaiyum valiyum puripadalaNeither the direction nor the path is clear.
Male
Ulagom kadasi varaiUntil the very end of the world,
Kanna moochi thaaneIt is just a game of hide and seek.
Jeyippu thoppu ellamVictory and defeat,
Maarum katchi thanAre merely changing scenes.
Pala thiruppamWith many twists,
Serum katha polaLike a story coming together,
UrumaarumeLife transforms itself.
Siru kanavu athuA small dream,
Kalanje pogumeWill just dissolve and disappear.
Male
Karutha maari megamLike a dark, heavy cloud,
Athu polunjudama pogumIt will pass away without raining.
Pinnala nee oda than mudiyumaCan you keep running behind it?
Piriyum oravu thanRelationships separate,
Ulla urugum manasu thanAnd the heart inside melts in pain.
Iniyum vera thona varumYet, another companion will come in the future,
Adha varaverkalaamWe can welcome them.
Oravum pirivum nirandharamaAre relationships and separations permanent?
Oravum pirivum nirandharamaAre relationships and separations permanent?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song presents a deeply philosophical contemplation on the fleeting and unpredictable nature of human life. Comparing life to a game of hide-and-seek, a theatrical stage of changing scenes, and a boat tossed on turbulent waves, the lyricist highlights how success, failure, and dreams are impermanent. It addresses the irony of human psychology—how people undervalue what they possess in the moment and grieve only after losing it.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvameya / Rupaka)

Nenje oru nilaiyilla korangu than

Compares the mind's restless, unfocused state directly to a monkey ('korangu').

Simile (Uvamai)

Alayil aadum padago

Compares an aimless life or mind to a boat tossed around on ocean waves.

Metaphor

Karutha maari megam athu polunjudama pogum

Compares fleeting troubles or unfulfilled promises to a dark cloud that passes without bestowing rain.

Repetition (Epanalepsis / Anaphora)

Dhesaiyum valiyum puripadala

Repeats lines to emphasize confusion and the uncertainty of direction in life.

Did you know?

Trivia

This philosophical track from 'Rail' (2024) features vocals by veteran composer-singer 'Thenisai Thendral' Deva. Deva's rustic, seasoned voice brings an authentic, weary wisdom to lyricist Ramesh Vaidya's introspective lines, set to music composed by classical-fusion composer S. J. Jananiy.

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