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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Uyir

From Seethakaathi · 2018

Lyricist
Karthik Netha
Singer
Govind Vasantha
Music director
Govind Vasantha
Details
Seethakaathi2018

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Aiyaavae edhai paarkiraaiO respected Master, what are you gazing at?
Nedu neramaaiFor such a long duration of time?
Vazhndhadhellam edhiraeIs everything that was lived right before you
Sarugaai veezhgiradhoFalling down like dry, withered leaves?
Male
Aththanai pasamumAll that affection
Naalpatta yekkamumAnd long-standing yearning
Orr nodiyil thuliyaiIn a single moment, like a drop
Thaniyaai kaaigiradhoIs it drying up all alone?
Male
Paaraiyin mel peru velichamA great bright light upon the rock
Thangi sendrae pogiradhaePauses and then passes away
Thiyagamellaam thalai kunindhaeAll sacrifices bow their heads
Mounangalaai azhugiradhaeAnd weep in total silences
Uyir saavil mudivathillaiLife does not cease with death
Chorus
Mmm…mmm…mmm…Mmm…mmm…mmm…
Mmm…mmm….mmm…mmm…Mmm…mmm….mmm…mmm…
Mmm…mmm…mmm…Mmm…mmm…mmm…
Mmm…mmm….mmm…mmm…Mmm…mmm….mmm…mmm…
Male
Kaanalae meiyaagaIf a mirage becomes the truth
Pazhagivittaal ingaeAnd one gets accustomed to it here
Eeramaai thodum nadhigalDo rivers touching with moisture
Silirpathundo ullae…ae…Ever shudder deep within?
Chorus
Aazhathin aazhangalaiThe silence that has witnessed
Paartha maunathinaiThe ultimate depths of depth
Osai jeyipathundoCan noise/sound ever conquer it?
Kaalathin dhooram varaiAcross the vast distance of time
Vergal vitta maramA tree that has rooted itself deep
Saavil uthirvathundoDoes it wither away in death?
Chorus
Thannanthaniyae aluthu vittaeWeeping all by yourself
Ponadhengae koomaanaeWhere did you vanish, O great leader?
Oppanai thaan kalaintha pinnaeOnly after the makeup dissolved
Un mugamaai aanaaiyooDid you become your true self?
Male
Kalai saavai madhipathillaiArt does not honor or bow to death
Yegaantha malar sainthathaeThe solitary flower has bowed down
Eri meedhilaeUpon the burning funeral pyre
Vegirathae thaniyaaiIt burns away all alone
Idhu thaan mudivaaIs this truly the ultimate end?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

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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