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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vidhi Nadhiyae Reprise

From Thadam · 2018

Lyricist
Madhan Karky
Singer
Arun Raj
Music director
Arun Raj
Details
Thadam2018

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Aaraai manam aaraai manamExamine your heart, examine your heart
Mudivili aaraagavaeLike an endless river
Paayum undhan alaigalin melaeUpon the waves that you unleash
Orr ethir ozhi polae naanI am like a echoing sound
Male
Aaraai manam aaraai manamExamine your heart, examine your heart
Viraindhidum aaraagavaeLike a fast-rushing river
Neelum adhan karaigalin melaeUpon its extending banks
Kaal thadangalai polae neeYou are like footprints left behind
Male
Idazh melaeUpon the lips
Aniyum punnagaiyumThe smile that is worn
Vizhiyullae pudhaiyumAnd buried inside the eyes
KanneerumThe tears
Manamellam ganakkumWith memories
NinaivugaloduThat weigh down the entire heart
Munnae selgindrenI move forward
Male
Nee oru dhinamOne day, you
Kaadhal paaigiraaiPour out love like a stream
Yen marudhinamWhy the very next day
Kaaindhu pogiraaiDo you dry up completely?
Nee ennai engaeWhere are you
Kondu selgiraaiTaking me?
En vidhi nadhiyae…ae…Oh my river of fate!
Male
Nee oru kanamOne moment, you
Paadal aagiraaiBecome a melody
Yen maru kanamWhy the very next moment
Theindhu pogiraaiDo you fade away?
Nee ennai engaeWhere are you
Kondu selgiraaiTaking me?
En vidhi nadhiyae….Oh my river of fate!
En vidhi nadhiyae….Oh my river of fate!
Male
Enakaai sila pookkalFor my sake, some flowers...
Pirakkaadha….Unborn...
Thirakkaadha….Unopened...
Enakaai sila thooralFor my sake, a few drizzles
MalarvaayaaWill you blossom?
Vin kilaiyaeOh branch of the sky!
Male
Sila aasaigalai niraivetrithaanBy fulfilling just a few desires
Pala aasaigalai nurai pol aakkinaaiYou turned many desires into mere foam
Oru naal veezhaTo fall one day
Maru naal meelaTo rise the next day
En nenjukku sollithandhaaiYou taught my heart
Male
Nee oru dhinamOne day, you
Kaadhal paaigiraaiPour out love like a stream
Yen marudhinamWhy the very next day
Kaaindhu pogiraaiDo you dry up completely?
Nee ennai engaeWhere are you
Kondu selgiraaiTaking me?
En vidhi nadhiyae…ae…Oh my river of fate!
Male
Nee oru kanamOne moment, you
Paadal aagiraaiBecome a melody
Yen maru kanamWhy the very next moment
Theindhu pogiraaiDo you fade away?
Nee ennai engaeWhere are you
Kondu selgiraaiTaking me?
En vidhi nadhiyae….Oh my river of fate!
En vidhi nadhiyae….Oh my river of fate!
En vidhi nadhiyae….Oh my river of fate!

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song 'Vidhi Nadhi' (River of Fate) from the film Thadam explores the turbulent and unpredictable nature of destiny and love. Comparing human life to a journey along an endless river, the protagonist reflects on how fate bestows moments of profound joy, harmony, and affection on one day, only to dry up or fade into sorrow the next. Behind a forced smile worn on the lips lie deep tears and heavy memories, yet life demands moving forward regardless. Through poetic imagery of foot tracks, echoes, skylines, and sea foam, lyricist Madhan Karky encapsulates the resilience needed to survive emotional highs and lows. While fate fulfills a few dreams, it dissolves many others like foam on water; nevertheless, it teaches the human heart the vital lesson of picking itself up and rising again after every fall.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uruvagam)

En vidhi nadhiyae

Compares fate or destiny directly to a flowing, unpredictable river that carries human lives.

Simile (Uvamai)

Orr ethir ozhi polae naan

Compares the narrator's existence to an echo resonating over rushing water waves.

Simile (Uvamai)

Kaal thadangalai polae nee

Compares the companion's presence to temporary footprints left on riverbanks.

Juxtaposition / Contrast

Aniyum punnagaiyum / Vizhiyullae pudhaiyum / Kanneerum

Contrasts outward worn smiles on lips with inward buried tears in eyes, showing emotional masking.

Simile (Uvamai)

Pala aasaigalai nurai pol aakkinaai

Compares shattered or lost desires to fragile foam that dissolves easily.

Rhyme & Antithesis (Irai / Monai)

Oru naal veezha / Maru naal meela

Uses rhythmic contrasting verbs 'veezha' (fall) and 'meela' (rise/recover) to depict life's cyclical resilience.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Vidhi Nadhi' (also popularly known as 'Aaraai Manam') was composed by Arun Raj for the 2019 Tamil action-thriller 'Thadam', starring Arun Vijay in dual roles. The song features expressive vocals by L.V. Revanth, Sharanya Srinivas, and Arun Raj, with poignant lyrics written by Madhan Karky that heighten the psychological and emotional core of the film.

Keep listening

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