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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vidhiya Sadhiya

From Kathavarayan · 1958

Lyricist
Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass
Singer
C. S. Jayaraman
Music director
G. Ramanathan
Details
Kathavarayan1958

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Enniya ennam yaavum nadanthaalIf all thoughts and desires were to come true,
Iraivanae illai paarilaeThere would be no God on this earth.
Kannin munnaalae punniya paavathathinRight before your eyes, the reality of virtues and sins,
Unmaiyai paar nerilaeWitness the truth directly.
Male
Vithiyaa sathiyaa intha vedhanaiIs this pain Fate or Truth?
Vithiyaa sathiyaa intha vedhanaiIs this pain Fate or Truth?
Unakkaeno muraiyaa sariyaaWhy to you? Is it proper? Is it right?
Vithiyaa sathiyaa intha vedhanaiIs this pain Fate or Truth?
Unakkaeno muraiyaa sariyaaWhy to you? Is it proper? Is it right?
Male
Maaya ulagil neeyum piranthuBorn into this world of illusion,
Vedar marabil valarnthaaiYou grew up in the lineage of hunters.
Mamathai endra porvaiyoduWrapped in the cloak of arrogance,
Mathiyillaamal thirinthaaiYou wandered around without wisdom.
Thaayin ullam sagiththidavaeLeaving your mother's heart to endure agony,
Thaaragamae marantthaaiYou forgot your guiding principle.
Male
Vithiyaa sathiyaaIs it Fate or Truth?
Male
Veeram endra vegaththaalaeDriven by the rashness of bravado,
Oorai azhikka thuninthaaiYou dared to ruin the town.
Viragam meeri kaadhalaalaeOverwhelmed by yearning and love,
Muraiyai meeri nadanthaaiYou transgressed traditional customs.
Male
Veedhi veedhiyaaga alaiyumWandering street by street,
Bedhai yaen adainthaaiWhy did you become a pitiful, helpless soul?
Male :Vithiyaa sathiyaaMale: Is it Fate or Truth?
Male
Kai vilangu kolaththiduAppearing bound in handcuffs,
Kaatchi tharuvethenoWhy do you show yourself in this state?
Kaanal neerai pola unthanLike a fleeting mirage,
Vaazhvum naernthathaenaoWhy did your life turn out this way?
Male
Kaalan pola kazhumaramaeLike the God of Death, the impaling stake,
Kaaththiruppathum yaenoWhy is it waiting for you?
Male
Vithiyaa sathiyaa intha vedhanaiIs this pain Fate or Truth?
Unakkaeno muraiyaa sariyaaWhy to you? Is it proper? Is it right?
Male
Vithiyaa sathiyaaIs it Fate or Truth?
Vithiyaa sathiyaaIs it Fate or Truth?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This philosophical song reflects deeply on fate, human ego, karma, and the inevitability of divine justice. It begins with the profound observation that if every human desire were granted, the concept of God would lose its significance, prompting the listener to look directly at the real-world consequences of virtues and sins. The song questions whether the protagonist's intense suffering is driven by inescapable destiny (Vidhi) or absolute truth (Sathiya). Addressing the tragic downfall of the protagonist (Kathavarayan), the lyrics recount how arrogance, reckless courage, and breaking social boundaries for love led him down a path of ruin. Despite his strength, he ends up captured in handcuffs, facing the gruesome fate of the impaling stake ('Kazhumaram'). The song laments his wasted potential, comparing his life to a fleeting mirage and asking if such agonizing retribution is truly fair.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Upamai)

Kaanal neerai pola unthan

Compares the protagonist's unfulfilled and ruined life to a mirage ('kaanal neerai pola').

Metaphor (Uruvagaim)

Mamathai endra porvaiyodu

Metaphorically describes pride/ego as a cloak or blanket ('mamathai endra porvai').

Rhetorical Question

Vithiyaa sathiyaa intha vedhanai

Repeatedly questions whether the suffering is due to Fate or Truth, and whether the punishment fits the persona.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Kaalan pola kazhumaramae

Repetition of initial consonant sounds like 'Ka' across consecutive lines ('Kaalan', 'Kaaththiruppathum').

Did you know?

Trivia

The song features in the 1958 Tamil mythological film 'Kathavarayan' starring Sivaji Ganesan and Savitri. Sung by the iconic C. S. Jayaraman, known for his distinct high-pitched vocal delivery, the lyrics by Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass directly reference 'Kazhumaram' (impaling stake), which is central to the traditional folk legend of Lord Kathavarayan.

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