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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vaazhkayin Paathayil

From Pirappu · 2007

Lyricist
Kamakodiyan
Singer
Vijay Yesudas
Music director
Bharathwaj
Details
Pirappu2007

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Vaazhkaiyin paathaiThe path of life
Engo pogumLeads to somewhere unknown
Vaasalil ithayam yaarai thaedumWhom does the heart search for at the doorstep?
Kaanum vizhiyil kaatchigal illaiThere are no sights in the eyes that see
Kandaal ethuvum kaigalil illaiEven if seen, nothing remains in hand
Male
Kaalam varumTime will come
Oru neram varumA moment will arrive
Kathai ellaam ingae maarumThe entire story will change here
Kanavil varumAppearing in dreams
Sila sogangalilIn certain sorrows
Puthu kathaiyai vaazhkai koorumLife will narrate a brand new story
Male
Vaazhkaiyin paathaiThe path of life
Engo pogumLeads to somewhere unknown
Vaasalil ithayam yaarai thaedumWhom does the heart search for at the doorstep?
Female
Hoo hoo hoo hoo oo ooooHoo hoo hoo hoo oo oooo
Hoo hoo hoo hoo oo ooooHoo hoo hoo hoo oo oooo
Male
Mazhalaiyil uravuRelationships formed in childhood
Valarnthathum pirivuSeparation once grown up
Manithanin vaazhvil sagajamadaIs natural in human life, my friend
Uravil pirivum uruvaagumSeparation is born out of connection
Oh hooo pirivil uravum undaagumOh, connection too is born out of separation
Male
Iravinai thodarnthuFollowing the night
Pagal varum athuthaanDay arrives, that is
Iyarkkai unakku theriyaathaNature, do you not know it?
Malargal chediyil uthirgirathuFlowers fall from the plant
Oh hooo marupadi meendum malarkirathuOh, but they blossom again once more
Male
Oh manithaa…. oh hoooo…Oh human... oh hoooo...
Naatrinai pidungi naduvathinaalaeOnly by uprooting and replanting the sapling
Payirgal vilaiyum boomiyilaeCrops yield on the earth
Koottin kathavai thiranthaal thaanaeOnly if the door of the cage is opened
Paravai parakkum vaanaththilaeThe bird flies in the sky
Male
Vaazhkaiyin paathaiThe path of life
Engo pogumLeads to somewhere unknown
Vaasalil ithayam yaarai thaedumWhom does the heart search for at the doorstep?
Female
Hoo hoo hoo hoo oo ooooHoo hoo hoo hoo oo oooo
Male :Hoo hoo hoo hoo oo ooooMale: Hoo hoo hoo hoo oo oooo
Male
Nathigalin thanneerThe water of rivers
Vayalgalil serumReaches the fields
Karaigal kanneer vadikkaathuThe riverbanks do not shed tears
Anaigal thirakka marukkaathuDams do not refuse to open
Oh hooo maruthaal uyirgal irukkaathuOh, if refused, living beings would not survive
Male
Uliyin adigalaiThe blows of the chisel
Thaangidum karkkalThe stones that endure
Ooril silaiyaai oliveesumShine as statues in the town
Valiyai thaangum ithayathaiThe heart that endures pain
Oh hooo vaazhthi intha oor pesumOh, this town will praise and talk about
Male
Oh manithaa.. oh hooo…Oh human... oh hooo...
Ottaiyil kottaiA fort made of clay
Onpathu vaasalHaving nine gates
Ullae irukkuthu oru jeevanInside resides a living soul
Paattukkal paadaTo sing songs
Aattangal aadaTo dance
Paarthu rasippaan un dhevanYour God will watch and appreciate
Male
Vaazhkaiyin paathaiThe path of life
Engo pogumLeads to somewhere unknown
Vaasalil ithayam yaarai thaedumWhom does the heart search for at the doorstep?
Kaanum vizhiyil kaatchigal illaiThere are no sights in the eyes that see
Kandaal ethuvum kaigalil illaiEven if seen, nothing remains in hand
Male
Kaalam varumTime will come
Oru neram varumA moment will arrive
Kathai ellaam ingae maarumThe entire story will change here
Kanavil varumAppearing in dreams
Sila sogangalilIn certain sorrows
Puthu kathaiyai vaazhkai koorumLife will narrate a brand new story
Female
Hoo hoo hoo hoo oo ooooHoo hoo hoo hoo oo oooo
Male :Hoo hoo hoo hoo oo ooooMale: Hoo hoo hoo hoo oo oooo
Female :Hoo hoo hoo hoo oo ooooFemale: Hoo hoo hoo hoo oo oooo
Male :Hoo hoo hoo hoo oo ooooMale: Hoo hoo hoo hoo oo oooo

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Vaazhkaiyin Paathai is a deeply philosophical song from the movie Pirappu (2007), penned by lyricist Kamakodiyan. The song contemplates the unpredictable journey of human life, addressing impermanence, emotional pain, separation, and spiritual resilience. Through vivid imagery from nature—such as the cycle of night and day, flowers fading only to bloom again, and saplings being uprooted to bear fruit—the song reminds us that suffering and change are essential precursors to growth. Drawing upon traditional Tamil Siddha wisdom, the lyricist compares the physical human body to a citadel with nine entrances (representing the nine body orifices) housing a divine spirit. It offers a message of solace and hope: just as a stone must endure the blows of a chisel to become a revered idol, a human heart that withstands hardship eventually earns respect and ultimate peace.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

Ottaiyil kottai / Onpathu vaasal

The human body is metaphorically referred to as a fort with nine gates ('Ottaiyil kottai / Onpathu vaasal') housing the divine soul.

Analogy

Uliyin adigalai / Thaangidum karkkal / Ooril silaiyaai oliveesum

Compares a human enduring life's pain to a rough stone enduring chisel strikes to transform into a worshipped statue.

Antithesis / Contrast (Muran)

Uravil pirivum uruvaagum / Oh hooo pirivil uravum undaagum

Contrasts union and separation to highlight the cyclical nature of human bonds and existence.

Alliteration (Monai)

Kaanum vizhiyil kaatchigal illai / Kandaal ethuvum kaigalil illai

Repetition of the initial consonant sound 'Ka' across lines creating melodic resonance.

Did you know?

Trivia

Lyricist Kamakodiyan was celebrated for incorporating classic Siddha philosophy into contemporary film lyrics. The line 'Ottaiyil kottai / Onpathu vaasal' directly draws from ancient Tamil spiritual literature that describes the physical human body as a nine-gated city housing the Atman (soul).

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