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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vaanam Enge Mudikiradhu Female

From Paaimarakkappal · 1988

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singer
Vani Jairam
Music director
K. V. Mahadevan
Details
Paaimarakkappal1988

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Vaanam engae mudigirathuWhere does the sky end?
Kandu pidithavar sollungalThose who have found out, please tell me.
Vaazhkai engae mudigirathuWhere does life end?
Kandu pidikka sollungalAsk them to find out and tell me.
Female
Paaimarakappal ingae paruva kaattru engaeHere is the sailboat, but where is the seasonal breeze?
Paaimarakappal ingae paruva kaattru engaeHere is the sailboat, but where is the seasonal breeze?
Vaanam engae mudigirathuWhere does the sky end?
Kandu pidithavar sollungalThose who have found out, please tell me.
Female
Nadhiyin mudivai naam arivomWe know where a river ends,
Vidhiyin mudivai yaar arivaarWho knows where destiny ends?
Iravin mudivai naam arivomWe know where the night ends,
Uravin mudivai yaar arivaarWho knows where a relationship ends?
Female
Nadhiyin mudivai naam arivomWe know where a river ends,
Vidhiyin mudivai yaar arivaarWho knows where destiny ends?
Iravin mudivai naam arivomWe know where the night ends,
Uravin mudivai yaar arivaarWho knows where a relationship ends?
Female
Naetrugal inimel varuvathillaiYesterdays will not return anymore,
Naalaigal innum varavillaiTomorrows have not arrived yet.
Naetrugal inimel varuvathillaiYesterdays will not return anymore,
Naalaigal innum varavillaiTomorrows have not arrived yet.
Female
Paadhaigal ingae therivadhillaiPaths are not visible here,
Payanangal mattum mudiyavillaiOnly the journeys refuse to end.
Vaanam engae mudigirathuWhere does the sky end?
Kandu pidithavar sollungalThose who have found out, please tell me.
Female
Imaiyae unakku urakkam illaiO Eyelid, you have no sleep,
Iravae unakku irakkam illaiO Night, you have no mercy.
Idhayam pirivai porukkavillaiThe heart cannot tolerate this separation,
Enakkoo azhudhu palakkam illaiAnd I am not accustomed to crying.
Female
Imaiyae unakku urakkam illaiO Eyelid, you have no sleep,
Iravae unakku irakkam illaiO Night, you have no mercy.
Idhayam pirivai porukkavillaiThe heart cannot tolerate this separation,
Enakkoo azhudhu palakkam illaiAnd I am not accustomed to crying.
Female
Deivathai engae theduvathuWhere to search for God?
Dhisaigal engae seruvadhuWhere do all the directions meet?
Deivathai engae theduvathuWhere to search for God?
Dhisaigal engae seruvadhuWhere do all the directions meet?
Nadhi vazhi pogum bommaiyai polLike a doll drifting along a river's flow,
Vidhi vazhi pogum penmai idhuThis womanhood follows the path of fate.
Female
Vaanam engae mudigirathuWhere does the sky end?
Kandu pidithavar sollungalThose who have found out, please tell me.
Vaazhkai engae mudigirathuWhere does life end?
Kandu pidikka sollungalAsk them to find out and tell me.
Female
Paaimarakappal ingae paruva kaattru engaeHere is the sailboat, but where is the seasonal breeze?
Paaimarakappal ingae paruva kaattru engaeHere is the sailboat, but where is the seasonal breeze?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song is a deeply philosophical and melancholic contemplation on life, destiny, and unanswered existential questions. Using vivid maritime and nature imagery, the protagonist compares herself to a sailboat stranded without a favorable wind, or a helpless doll drifting downstream along the river of fate. The lyricist delves into the uncertainties of human relationships and time, noting that while natural boundaries like night's end or river mouths are known, human destiny and emotional bonds end unpredictably.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Paaimarakappal ingae paruva kaattru engae

Life and the protagonist's state are metaphorically depicted as a stranded sailboat ('Paaimarakappal') waiting for a seasonal wind ('paruva kaattru') that never arrives.

Simile (Uwamai)

Nadhi vazhi pogum bommaiyai pol / Vidhi vazhi pogum penmai idhu

Womanhood following fate is explicitly compared using 'pol' (like) to a doll floating helplessly downstream along a river.

Second-letter Assonance (Eskai / Ethirai)

Nadhiyin mudivai naam arivom / Vidhiyin mudivai yaar arivaar

The second letters of consecutive lines rhyme, creating a harmonious rhythmic structure (Nadhiyin / Vidhiyin, Iravin / Uravin).

Rhyme / End Rhyme (Iyaibu)

Imaiyae unakku urakkam illai / Iravae unakku irakkam illai

The endings of lines match poetically with repeated phrases like 'urakkam illai' and 'irakkam illai'.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by legendary music director K. V. Mahadevan with poignant lyrics by Vairamuthu, this philosophical track features the expressive vocals of Vani Jayaram. The film Paaimarakkappal (1988) uses the sailboat as a primary symbol of human life adrift on unpredictable waters.

Keep listening

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