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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vaala Vayathagi

From Ratha Kanneer · 1954

Lyricist
Udumalai Narayanakavi
Singer
C. S. Jayaraman
Music director
C. S. Jayaraman
Movie name
Ratha Kanneer
Movie release year
1954
Lyrics added on
28 Feb 2025

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics
↻ English translation
Vaazha vayathaagi azhagaagi mathanaagi
Vaazha vayathaagi azhagaagi mathanaagi
Pani vaanipamodaadi marulaadi vilaiyaadi
Pani vaanipamodaadi marulaadi vilaiyaadi
Vizhal vaazhvu sathamaagi
Vizhal vaazhvu sathamaagi valivaagi
Madakoodamodu porul thedi
Vaasa puzhugedu malarodu manamaagi
Vaasa puzhugedu malarodu manamaagi
Kamazh vaasanaigalaathi idalaagi mayalaagi
Vilai maathargalai maevi
Vilai maathargalai maevi
avaraasai thanilae suzhala
Sila naal poe
Thol thiraigalaagi naraiyaagi kurudaagi
Thol thiraigalaagi naraiyaagi kurudaagi
Iru kaalgal thadumaari sevimaari pasupaasapathi
Soozhgathigal maari sugamaari
Thadiyoduthiri urunaalil
Soolai sori eelaivali vaathamodu neerizhivu
Soolai sori eelaivali vaathamodu neerizhivu
Sogaial maalai suramodu pini thoorirumal
Soozhalura kasumaalamena naariyudal azhiveno..oh….
Growing into youth, becoming handsome like the god of love,
Growing into youth, becoming handsome like the god of love,
Busy in work and trade, lost in delusion, playing through life,
Busy in work and trade, lost in delusion, playing through life,
Believing this worthless life to be permanent,
Believing this worthless life to be permanent and growing strong,
Gathering wealth and building grand mansions,
Perfumed with fragrant civet and sweet flowers,
Perfumed with fragrant civet and sweet flowers,
Applying rich scents and lost in lustful desire,
Seeking out courtesans,
Seeking out courtesans,
Whirling helplessly in longing for them,
As the days pass by,
With skin wrinkling, hair turning grey, and eyes going blind,
With skin wrinkling, hair turning grey, and eyes going blind,
With both legs stumbling, hearing failing, and life's bonds breaking,
Circumstances turning upside down and all comfort gone,
On the day I wander leaning on a walking stick,
Struck by sharp pains, rashes, wheezing, rheumatism, and diabetes,
Struck by sharp pains, rashes, wheezing, rheumatism, and diabetes,
With anemia, evening fevers, illnesses, and a constant cough,
Surrounded by all these, will my body rot, reek like foul filth, and perish? Oh...
Male
Male
Male
Male

Beyond the translation

Overall song meaning

This song presents a profound philosophical reflection on the impermanence of youth and the physical body. It contrasts the arrogance, vanity, and hedonistic pursuits of young adulthood—such as chasing beauty, luxury, perfume, wealth, and sensual pleasures with courtesans—with the harsh reality of old age and bodily decay. As time passes, physical vitality inevitably crumbles into wrinkles, blindness, deafness, mobility loss, and a multitude of debilitating illnesses. The lyricist uses this stark transition to question the true value of a life spent in worldly distraction, urging the listener toward spiritual awareness before the body succumbs to disease and death.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaippu (End Rhyme)

“Vaazha vayathaagi azhagaagi mathanaagi”

Extensive use of the suffix '-aagi' at line ends (vayathaagi, azhagaagi, mathanaagi, sathamaagi, manamaagi, kurudaagi) to establish a relentless, rhythmic tempo.

Simile & Metaphor (Uvamai)

“Vaazha vayathaagi azhagaagi mathanaagi”

Comparing youthful charm to 'Mathan' (Manmatha, the God of Love) and superficial existence to 'Vizhal' (useless weed/grass).

Imagery / Bibhatsa Rasa

“Soolai sori eelaivali vaathamodu neerizhivu”

Vivid medical and sensory listing of physical infirmities and diseases (wrinkled skin, diabetes, respiratory illness, jaundice) to evoke detachment from bodily attachment.

Did you know?

Trivia

The lyrics by Udumalai Narayanakavi are deeply inspired by traditional Siddhar literature and Thiruppugazh meter, which emphasize anti-materialism and bodily impermanence. In the iconic movie Ratha Kanneer (1954), M. R. Radha's character Mohanasundaram embodies this tragic downfall from rich, arrogant playboy to a disease-ridden outcast.

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