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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vizhi Engum Aaduthu

From Chithirame Chithirame · 1985

Lyricist
Kuruvikkarambai Shanmugam
Singer
P. Susheelaa
Music director
Sivaji Raja
Details
Chithirame Chithirame1985

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Laalaalaa laalaalaa laalaalaa hoiLaalaalaa laalaalaa laalaalaa hoi
Laalaala laalaalaaLaalaala laalaalaa
Vizhinyengum aaduthu ilamaiYouth dances across the vision everywhere
Vazhiyondru theduthu idhayamThe heart searches for a path
Maaraatha paruvangalaeOh unchanging stages of youth
Ooyaatha vizhi gangaiyae…..Oh unending Ganges of tears from the eyes...
Female
Sogangal……theerum kaalangalTimes when sorrows will come to an end
Paadhangal…..pesum geethangalSongs spoken by dancing feet
Chorus
………………....
Female
Naanaadum aadal kalaiyaeOh art of dance that I perform
Yaeningu maarum nilaiyaeWhy does the condition change here?
Oru kaalam vaazhnthaen thanaiyaeOnce upon a time, I lived by myself
Ilai maelae paniyin thuli polLike a drop of dew upon a leaf
Female
Vilai thanthu mogaththil thallaadaStaggering in lust after paying a price
Vidigindra neram kann moodaClosing my eyes as dawn arrives
Vilai thanthu mogaththil thallaadaStaggering in lust after paying a price
Vidigindra neram kann moodaClosing my eyes as dawn arrives
Female
Sogangal……theerum kaalangalTimes when sorrows will come to an end
Paadhangal…..pesum geethangalSongs spoken by dancing feet
Female
Vizhinyengum aaduthu ilamaiYouth dances across the vision everywhere
Vazhiyondru theduthu idhayamThe heart searches for a path
Maaraatha paruvangalaeOh unchanging stages of youth
Ooyaatha vizhi gangaiyae…..yae…..yae….yae….Oh unending Ganges of tears from the eyes...
Female
Vittil naan vizhunguvathu sudaro…..Am I a moth drawn to swallow the flame?
Chorus
……………….....
Female
Naalthorum paarvai kanaiyaalEvery day, with arrows of glances
Oru kodi moga malaraaiAs ten million flowers of desire
Irul meedhu vaazhnthaen silaiyaaiI lived as a statue upon the dark
Ezhuthaatha paadal vari polLike an unwritten line of a song
Female
Alai vanthu nenjathil thullaathoWon't a wave come and leap in the heart?
Ilamangai ennangal vellaathoWon't the thoughts of a young woman conquer?
Alai vanthu nenjathil thullaathoWon't a wave come and leap in the heart?
Ilamangai ennangal vellaathoWon't the thoughts of a young woman conquer?
Female
Sogangal……theerum kaalangalTimes when sorrows will come to an end
Paadhangal…..pesum geethangalSongs spoken by dancing feet
Female
Vizhinyengum aaduthu ilamaiYouth dances across the vision everywhere
Vazhiyondru theduthu idhayamThe heart searches for a path
Maaraatha paruvangalaeOh unchanging stages of youth
Ooyaatha vizhi gangaiyae…..yae…..yae….yae….Oh unending Ganges of tears from the eyes...
Female
Veenai naan meettuvathu vithiyo….Am I a veena played by the hands of fate?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

The song portrays the deep emotional anguish and existential questioning of a dancer reflecting on her tragic life. She contrasts the outward vibrancy of her youth and dance with her internal sorrow, symbolized by an unending river of tears. Through rich metaphors, she describes her fragile existence as a dewdrop on a leaf and an unwritten song line, questioning whether her choices have led her to self-destruction like a moth drawn to a flame. Despite the dark realities of her life, there is an underlying desire for liberation and redemption—hoping that a wave of joy will someday leap within her heart and bring an end to her suffering. She ultimately wonders if she is merely a passive instrument, a veena being played by the relentless hands of fate.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Simile (Uvamaani)

Ilai maelae paniyin thuli pol

Compares her fragile, ephemeral life to a delicate drop of dew resting on a leaf.

Metaphor (Uruvagaimai)

Ooyaatha vizhi gangaiyae

Compares the endless stream of tears flowing from her eyes to the mighty River Ganges.

Metaphor / Rhetorical Question

Veenai naan meettuvathu vithiyo

Compares herself to a veena musical instrument played by fate, questioning her agency in life.

Rhetorical Question / Metaphor

Vittil naan vizhunguvathu sudaro

Metaphorically compares herself to a moth drawn self-destructively into a flame.

Did you know?

Trivia

Written by acclaimed Tamil lyricist and poet Kuruvikkarambai Shanmugam, the song relies heavily on classical Tamil poetic motifs such as comparing sorrowful eyes to the Ganges and fate to a musician playing a instrument.

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