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Isaimozhi
Seethakaathi album cover
Lyrics & meaning

Uyir

From Seethakaathi · 2018

Lyricist
Karthik Netha
Singer
Govind Vasantha
Music director
Govind Vasantha
Movie name
Seethakaathi
Movie release year
2018
Lyrics added on
28 Oct 2018

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Aiyaavae edhai paarkiraai
Nedu neramaai
Vazhndhadhellam edhirae
Sarugaai veezhgiradho
Aththanai pasamum
Naalpatta yekkamum
Orr nodiyil thuliyai
Thaniyaai kaaigiradho
Paaraiyin mel peru velicham
Thangi sendrae pogiradhae
Thiyagamellaam thalai kunindhae
Mounangalaai azhugiradhae
Uyir saavil mudivathillai
Mmm…mmm…mmm…
Mmm…mmm….mmm…mmm…
Mmm…mmm…mmm…
Mmm…mmm….mmm…mmm…
Kaanalae meiyaaga
Pazhagivittaal ingae
Eeramaai thodum nadhigal
Silirpathundo ullae…ae…
Aazhathin aazhangalai
Paartha maunathinai
Osai jeyipathundo
Kaalathin dhooram varai
Vergal vitta maram
Saavil uthirvathundo
Thannanthaniyae aluthu vittae
Ponadhengae koomaanae
Oppanai thaan kalaintha pinnae
Un mugamaai aanaaiyoo
Kalai saavai madhipathillai
Yegaantha malar sainthathae
Eri meedhilae
Vegirathae thaniyaai
Idhu thaan mudivaa
Ayya, what are you looking at,
for so long?
Is all the life you lived
falling like dry leaves before you?
All that deep affection,
and all those long-held yearnings—
in a single moment, like a drop,
are they drying up all alone?
A great light upon a rock
lingers a while and fades away.
All sacrifices bow their heads
and weep in silence.
Life does not end in death.
Mmm... mmm... mmm...
Mmm... mmm... mmm... mmm...
Mmm... mmm... mmm...
Mmm... mmm... mmm... mmm...
When a mirage is taken for the truth
and one grows used to it here,
do the cool rivers that touch you
still awaken a thrill within?
The silence that has seen
the deepest of depths—
can mere noise ever conquer it?
A tree that has spread its roots
across the reach of time,
does it ever wither away in death?
Weeping all by yourself,
where did you go, solitary owl?
Once the stage makeup was washed away,
did you finally return to your own face?
Art has no regard for death.
The flower of pure bliss has fallen;
upon the flames,
it burns all alone.
Is this truly the end?
Male
Male
Male
Chorus
Male
Chorus
Chorus
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This poignant track from Seethakaathi delves deeply into mortality, legacy, and the immortal nature of art versus the impermanence of the physical human form. Written by lyricist Karthik Netha, the song contemplates an aging, revered actor/artist (Aiyaa) as he faces the end of life, observing his past life crumble like withered leaves while realizing that true passion and art transcend physical demise.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Sarugaai veezhgiradho

Comparing lived experiences falling away to dry withered leaves (Sarugaai veezhgiradho).

Rhetorical Question (Vinaa Alangaaram)

Kalai saavai madhipathillai / Idhu thaan mudivaa

Posing deep philosophical questions about mortality and whether art or deep silence can be conquered by death.

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Oppanai thaan kalaintha pinnae / Un mugamaai aanaaiyoo

Comparing the artist's identity to makeup (oppanai) that dissolves to reveal pure truth.

Did you know?

Trivia

Seethakaathi (2018) is Vijay Sethupathi's 25th film, directed by Balaji Tharaneetharan. The soundtrack and background score were composed by Govind Vasantha, with lyrics crafted by Karthik Netha. The song reflects the overarching theme of the movie: how an actor's soul and legacy live on through art long after their physical demise.

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