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Isaimozhi
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Lyrics & meaning

Ulagam Kadasivara

From Rail · 2024

Lyricist
Ramesh Vaidya
Singer
Thenisai Thendral Deva
Music director
S. J. Jananiy
Movie name
Rail
Movie release year
2024
Lyrics added on
25 Jun 2024

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Ulagom kadasi varai
Kanna moochi thaane
Jeyippu thoppu ellam
Maarum katchi than
Pala thiruppam
Serum katha pola
Urumaarume
Siru kanavu athu
Kalanje pogume
Irukum pothu verukum
Onnu maraiyum pothu thavikum
Nenje oru nilaiyilla korangu than
Elakku ethum illa
Nalla nadakka theriyala
Alayil aadum padago
Ithu karai serala
Dhesaiyum valiyum puripadala
Dhesaiyum valiyum puripadala
Ulagom kadasi varai
Kanna moochi thaane
Jeyippu thoppu ellam
Maarum katchi than
Pala thiruppam
Serum katha pola
Urumaarume
Siru kanavu athu
Kalanje pogume
Karutha maari megam
Athu polunjudama pogum
Pinnala nee oda than mudiyuma
Piriyum oravu than
Ulla urugum manasu than
Iniyum vera thona varum
Adha varaverkalaam
Oravum pirivum nirandharama
Oravum pirivum nirandharama
Till the very end, the world
is just a game of hide-and-seek.
Winning and losing
are only changing scenes.
With many twists,
like an unfolding story,
it keeps changing form.
A little dream,
it simply fades away.
When we have something, we dislike it,
but when it disappears, we long for it.
The heart is truly a restless monkey.
There is no destination,
and I do not know how to walk properly.
Like a boat rocking on the waves,
it has not reached the shore.
I cannot figure out the direction or the path.
I cannot figure out the direction or the path.
Till the very end, the world
is just a game of hide-and-seek.
Winning and losing
are only changing scenes.
With many twists,
like an unfolding story,
it keeps changing form.
A little dream,
it simply fades away.
A dark raincloud
may drift away without raining;
can you keep running after it?
Relationships will break,
and the heart inside will ache,
yet a new companion will come along,
and we can welcome them.
Are union and separation ever permanent?
Are union and separation ever permanent?
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

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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