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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vidai Kodu Engal Naadae

From Kannathil Muthamittal · 2002

Lyricist
Vairamuthu
Singers
M. S. Vishwanathan, Balram, Febi Mani
Music director
A. R. Rahman
Details
Kannathil Muthamittal2002

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Vidai kodu engal naadaeBid farewell, oh our homeland
Kadal vaasal thellikkum veedaeOh home where the sea splashes at the doorstep
Panai mara kaadaeOh forest of palmyra trees
Paravaigal koodaeOh nest of birds
Marumurai orumurai paarpomaaWill we ever see you again, even once?
Male
Udhatil punnagai pudhaithomWe buried the smile on our lips
Uyirai udambukul pudhaithomWe buried our soul deep within our body
Verum koodugal mattumOnly as empty shells
Oorvalam poogindrom ohooo….We march in procession, oh...
Male
Vidai kodu engal naadaeBid farewell, oh our homeland
Kadal vaasal thellikkum veedaeOh home where the sea splashes at the doorstep
Panai mara kaadaeOh forest of palmyra trees
Paravaigal koodaeOh nest of birds
Marumurai orumurai paarpomaaWill we ever see you again, even once?
Chorus
Udhatil punnagai pudhaithomWe buried the smile on our lips
Uyirai udambukul pudhaithomWe buried our soul deep within our body
Verum koodugal mattumOnly as empty shells
Oorvalam poogindrom ohooo….We march in procession, oh...
Male
Kandhal aanalum thaai madipolEven if torn to rags, like a mother's lap
Oru sugam varumaa.. varuma…Will such comfort ever come? Will it come?
Kandhal aanalum thaai madipolEven if torn to rags, like a mother's lap
Oru sugam varumaa.. varuma…Will such comfort ever come? Will it come?
Male
Sorgam sendralum sondha oor polEven if we go to heaven, like our native land
Sudhandiram varumaa… varuma…Will such freedom come? Will it come?
Kan thirandha desam angaeThe country where we opened our eyes is there
Kan moodum desam yengaeWhere is the country where we will close our eyes?
Kan thirandha desam angaeThe country where we opened our eyes is there
Kan moodum desam yengaeWhere is the country where we will close our eyes?
Male
Pirivom nadhigalaeWe part now, oh rivers
Pizhithaal varugiromIf we survive, we shall return
Meendum thaaygamAgain, if our motherland
Azhaithaal varugiromCalls us back, we shall return
Kanneer thiraiyil pirandha mannaiThrough a curtain of tears, the land of our birth
Kadaisiyaga paarkindromWe look upon one last time
Male
Vidai kodu engal naadaeBid farewell, oh our homeland
Kadal vaasal thellikkum veedaeOh home where the sea splashes at the doorstep
Panai mara kaadaeOh forest of palmyra trees
Paravaigal koodaeOh nest of birds
Marumurai orumurai paarpomaaWill we ever see you again, even once?
Chorus
Udhatil punnagai pudhaithomWe buried the smile on our lips
Uyirai udambukul pudhaithomWe buried our soul deep within our body
Verum koodugal mattumOnly as empty shells
Oorvalam poogindrom ohooo….We march in procession, oh...
Female
Engal sangeetham pillaiyinOur music was lost
Azhugaiyilae tholaithomIn the crying of a child
Engal ilamthingal vedi kunduOur crescent moon was buried
Pugaiyilae pudhaithomIn the smoke of bomb blasts
Male
Munniravil malaril kidanthomIn the early night, we lay on flowers
Pinniravil mullil kizhinthomIn the late night, we were torn by thorns
Kadal neer paravaigaalOh sea waters and birds
Irundhal sandhipomIf we exist, we shall meet
Vanamae malaigalaeOh sky and mountains
Vaazhndhal sandhipomIf we live, we shall meet
Thalaiyil koncham nenjil adhigamA little on the head, but more in the heart
Sumaigal sumandhu pogindromCarrying heavy burdens, we depart
Male
Vidai kodu engal naadaeBid farewell, oh our homeland
Kadal vaasal thellikkum veedaeOh home where the sea splashes at the doorstep
Panai mara kaadaeOh forest of palmyra trees
Paravaigal koodaeOh nest of birds
Marumurai orumurai paarpomaaWill we ever see you again, even once?
Chorus
Udhatil punnagai pudhaithomWe buried the smile on our lips
Uyirai udambukul pudhaithomWe buried our soul deep within our body
Verum koodugal mattumOnly as empty shells
Oorvalam poogindrom ohooo….We march in procession, oh...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Vidai Kodu Engal Naadae is an emotional anthem of displacement, sorrow, and longing, capturing the agony of Sri Lankan Tamil refugees forced to flee their homeland amidst civil war. The song expresses the deep pain of leaving behind one's roots, childhood memories, and natural surroundings, moving towards an uncertain future with heavy hearts and empty souls.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

Verum koodugal mattum

Refers to the displaced people as 'empty shells' (Verum koodugal), indicating that their spirits are dead or left behind while only their physical bodies move forward.

Simile

Kandhal aanalum thaai madipol

Compares the beloved homeland, even in its tattered state, to the loving comfort of a mother's lap (thaai madi).

Antithesis / Contrast

Munniravil malaril kidanthom / Pinniravil mullil kizhinthom

Contrasts the peaceful state of lying on flowers during early night with being torn apart by thorns in the late night, symbolizing sudden tragedy.

Parallelism and Monai (Initial Rhyme)

Kan thirandha desam angae / Kan moodum desam yengae

Contrasts the land of birth ('where eyes opened') with the unknown land of death ('where eyes close'), utilizing repeating structures.

Did you know?

Trivia

Composed by A. R. Rahman for Mani Ratnam's acclaimed 2002 drama 'Kannathil Muthamittal', this song features veteran music director M. S. Viswanathan as a key vocalist alongside Balram, Febi Mani, and A. R. Reihana. Lyricist Vairamuthu won the National Film Award for Best Lyrics for his work in this film.

Keep listening

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