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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vidukadhai Pottu

From Urimai Geetham · 1988

Lyricist
R. V. Udhaya Kumar
Singer
S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Music director
Manoj – Gyan
Details
Urimai Geetham1988

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Vidukadhai pottu vitttuHaving posed a riddle,
Vidai ondru thedugirenI am searching for an answer.
Vidukadhai pottu vitttuHaving posed a riddle,
Vidai ondru thedugirenI am searching for an answer.
Male
Viduthalai vendum endruDemanding that I need freedom,
Dhinam dhinam paadugirenI sing every single day.
Viduthalai vendum endruDemanding that I need freedom,
Dhinam dhinam paadugirenI sing every single day.
Male
Vidukadhai pottu vitttuHaving posed a riddle,
Vidai ondru thedugirenI am searching for an answer.
Vidukadhai pottu vitttuHaving posed a riddle,
Vidai ondru thedugirenI am searching for an answer.
Male
{Kanavukku saatchi illai{There is no witness to a dream,
Karpanaiyil vaazhkai illaiThere is no life in mere imagination,
Padithathil laabam illaiThere is no gain from higher education,
Patta kadan theeravillai} (2)The debt incurred remains unpaid} (2)
Male
Kaanal paadhi kanneer paadhiHalf mirage and half tears,
Thandhavan yaaro avan oru paaviWhoever caused this is a sinner.
Aadharavindri azhudhavan moochuThe breath of the helpless one who wept
Perunjumai aachu iniyenna pechuHas become a heavy burden, what else is there to say?
Pattapadippu vettaveliyilA formal degree out in the open sky
Vetti kadhaiyaa pochuHas turned into useless idle talk.
Male
Vidukadhai pottu vitttuHaving posed a riddle,
Vidai ondru thedugirenI am searching for an answer.
Vidukadhai pottu vitttuHaving posed a riddle,
Vidai ondru thedugirenI am searching for an answer.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This song captures the deep disillusionment and angst of educated young people suffering from unemployment and poverty. The protagonist reflects on life as a painful riddle without solutions, where academic degrees fail to yield a livelihood or clear inherited debts, reducing dreams to mere mirages and tears.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Monai (Initial Rhyme / Alliteration)

Vidukadhai pottu vitttu / Vidai ondru thedugiren

Repetition of the initial sound 'Vi' in Vidukadhai and Vidai, establishing rhythmic flow.

Edhukai (Second Letter Rhyming)

Pattapadippu vettaveliyil

The second consonant 'tta' rhymes in 'Pattapadippu' and 'vettaveliyil'.

Metaphor

Kaanal paadhi kanneer paadhi

Life and existence are metaphorically described as half mirage ('kaanal') and half tears ('kanneer').

Adukkuthodar (Repetition for Emphasis)

Dhinam dhinam paadugiren

The word 'Dhinam' is repeated sequentially ('Dhinam dhinam') to emphasize daily, continuous struggle.

Did you know?

Trivia

Urimai Geetham (1988) was directed by lyricist R.V. Udhaya Kumar himself, starring Prabhu and Karthik. The music was composed by the duo Manoj-Gyan, and this social-awareness song sung by S.P. Balasubrahmanyam highlights the socioeconomic frustration of 1980s Tamil youth.

Keep listening

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