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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vidhi Enum Karangalil

From Sirai · 1984

Lyricist
Pulamaipithan
Singer
M. S. Vishwanathan
Music director
M. S. Vishwanathan
Details
Sirai1984

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Vidhi ennum karangalilIn the hands of destiny
Veenaiyin narambugalAre the strings of the veena
Vidhi ennum karangalilIn the hands of destiny
Veenaiyin narambugalAre the strings of the veena
Male
Vedhanai raagangalRagas of pain
Naalellaam kelungalListen to them all day long
Vedhanai raagangalRagas of pain
Naalellaam kelungalListen to them all day long
Male
Vidhi ennum karangalilIn the hands of destiny
Veenaiyin narambugalAre the strings of the veena
Male
Kalangarai dheepam kaattrodu saainthaalIf the lighthouse flame sways with the wind
Dheepam paavam allaThe flame is not at fault
Kalangarai dheepam kaattrodu saainthaalIf the lighthouse flame sways with the wind
Dheepam paavam allaThe flame is not at fault
Male
Karaigali meeri vellam paainthaalIf the flood overflows its banks
Gangai paavamallaThe Ganges is not at fault
Karaigali meeri vellam paainthaalIf the flood overflows its banks
Gangai paavamallaThe Ganges is not at fault
Male
Vidhi ennum karangalilIn the hands of destiny
Veenaiyin narambugalAre the strings of the veena
Male
Vedhanai raagangalRagas of pain
Naalellaam kelungalListen to them all day long
Vedhanai raagangalRagas of pain
Naalellaam kelungalListen to them all day long
Male
Vidhi ennum karangalilIn the hands of destiny
Veenaiyin narambugalAre the strings of the veena
Male
Thirumana naalil nee ketta vedhamThe sacred chants you heard on your wedding day
Yaavum poiyaanathuHave all turned out to be false
Thirumana naalil nee ketta vedhamThe sacred chants you heard on your wedding day
Yaavum poiyaanathuHave all turned out to be false
Male
Sudugira neruppai saatchi vaiththaarThey made the burning fire a witness
Vaazhkkai theeyaanathuLife itself became fire
Sudugira neruppai saatchi vaiththaarThey made the burning fire a witness
Vaazhkkai theeyaanathuLife itself became fire
Male
Vidhi ennum karangalilIn the hands of destiny
Veenaiyin narambugalAre the strings of the veena
Male
Vedhanai raagangalRagas of pain
Naalellaam kelungalListen to them all day long
Vedhanai raagangalRagas of pain
Naalellaam kelungalListen to them all day long
Male
Vidhi ennum karangalilIn the hands of destiny
Veenaiyin narambugalAre the strings of the veena

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

Vidhi Ennum Karangalil from the movie Sirai (1984) is a deeply philosophical and sorrowful song that explores human helplessness in the face of fate. Metaphorically equating human life to strings of a veena played by the hands of destiny, the song describes how life often produces melodies of suffering through forces beyond one's control. Through vivid natural analogies—such as a lighthouse lamp tossed by gales or the sacred river Ganges overflowing its banks—the lyrics convey that an individual caught in tragic circumstances is innocent and blameless. The second stanza delves into the painful irony of traditional marital vows. The sacred scriptures and promises made during marriage turn out to be illusory, and the holy fire that was made a witness to the union tragically ends up burning the protagonist's entire life. MSV's raw, emotionally charged vocal performance amplifies the tragedy and social critique embedded in Pulamaipithan's poignant poetry.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)

Vidhi ennum karangalil Veenaiyin narambugal

Destiny is personified as musician hands playing upon the strings of human life, creating tunes of anguish.

Analogy (Uwamai)

Kalangarai dheepam kaattrodu saainthaal Dheepam paavam alla

Natural phenomena (a windblown lighthouse flame and an overflowing river) serve as allegories for innocent victims swept away by circumstances beyond their control.

Irony (Muran)

Sudugira neruppai saatchi vaiththaar Vaazhkkai theeyaanathu

The holy fire invoked as a sacred witness at a wedding becomes the symbolic fire that destroys the person's life.

Second Letter Rhyme (Ethirai)

Vidhi ennum karangalil / Veenaiyin narambugal

Syllabic rhyming of the second letter 'di' / 'ee' and 'da' / 'aa' across paired lines.

Did you know?

Trivia

The film Sirai (1984), directed by R. C. Shakti and starring Lakshmi and Rajesh, dealt with heavy socio-ethical themes around victimhood, societal prejudice, and empathy. M. S. Viswanathan not only composed the soundtrack but also sang this song himself, delivering a vocal performance widely celebrated for its intense emotional gravity.

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