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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Vizhiyorathu Kanavum

From Raaja Paarvai · 1981

Lyricist
Gangai Amaran
Singers
Kamal Haasan, Uma Ramanan
Music director
Ilayaraja
Details
Raaja Paarvai1981

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Female
Vizhiyoraththu kanavum inguThe dream at the corner of the eyes, here,
KarainthodiduthaeMelts and runs away.
Vidiyum endra pozhuthil vandhuJust as dawn was about to break,
Irul moodidudhaeDarkness envelops everything.
Female
Kadhai pol vandha uravuA relationship that came like a story,
Idaiyil intha pirivuWhy this separation in the middle?
Isai koodiya kavithaiA poem set to musical harmony,
Athan oli theernthathum yenoWhy has its sound come to an end?
Male
Vizhiyoraththu kanavum inguThe dream at the corner of the eyes, here,
KarainthodiduthaeMelts and runs away.
Vidiyum endra pozhuthil vandhuJust as dawn was about to break,
Irul moodidudhaeDarkness envelops everything.
Male
Vizhiyoraththu kanavum inguThe dream at the corner of the eyes, here,
KarainthodiduthaeMelts and runs away.
Male
Ahaaaa…aaaa……ahaaaa..Ahaaaa…aaaa……ahaaaa..
Female :Aaaaaaa….Female :Aaaaaaa….
Male :Ahaa…aaaa….Male :Ahaa…aaaa….
Female :Aaaaa…aa…Female :Aaaaa…aa…
Male :Ahaa…aaaa….Male :Ahaa…aaaa….
Female :Aaaaa…aa…Female :Aaaaa…aa…
Ahaaa..haaa..haaa…aaa…Ahaaa..haaa..haaa…aaa…
Male
Oru oviya kavidhaiA picture-like poem,
Kanneerilae nanaiyumGets drenched in tears.
Oru kavaiya kanavaiA distressing dream,
Dhinamum manam ninaikkumThe heart remembers every single day.
Female
Iru kaadhalar nadathumUndertaken by two lovers,
Thanimai payanamIs a lonely journey.
Oru paadhai irunthumEven though there is a single path,
Adhil pirivenbathu yenoWhy is there separation upon it?
Female
Vizhiyoraththu kanavum inguThe dream at the corner of the eyes, here,
KarainthodiduthaeMelts and runs away.
Vidiyum endra pozhuthil vandhuJust as dawn was about to break,
Irul moodidudhaeDarkness envelops everything.
Female
Kadhai pol vandha uravuA relationship that came like a story,
Idaiyil intha pirivuWhy this separation in the middle?
Isai koodiya kavithaiA poem set to musical harmony,
Athan oli theernthathum yeno….Why has its sound come to an end?

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

'Vizhiyoraththu Kanavum' is a deeply emotional, melancholic song that captures the grief, confusion, and agony of heartbreaking separation between lovers. Through rich poetic metaphors, the song contrasts bright expectations—symbolized by dawn, music, and vivid paintings—with sudden darkness, fading melody, and tear-soaked dreams. The lyrics lament how a beautiful bond that felt like a melody-infused poem unexpectedly came to a silent halt.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor (Uvamai)

Isai koodiya kavithai

Compares the bond of love directly to a poem set to music, highlighting its inherent harmony before it abruptly ends.

Metaphor

Oru oviya kavidhai

Refers to romantic memories as a 'painted poem', illustrating how artistic and beautiful their story was.

Muran (Antithesis / Contrast)

Vidiyum endra pozhuthil vandhu / Irul moodidudhae

Contrasts 'Vidiyum' (dawn/light) with 'Irul' (darkness) to emphasize the cruel irony of sorrow striking just when hope was dawning.

Monai (Initial Sound Alliteration)

Oru oviya kavidhai / Oru kavaiya kanavai

Repetition of the starting vowel sound 'Oru' across adjacent lines creating a rhythmic poetic effect.

Did you know?

Trivia

Raaja Paarvai (1981) marked Kamal Haasan's landmark 100th film as an actor and was his debut venture as a producer under Raj Kamal Films International. The film's iconic music was composed by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja, featuring songs penned by Gangai Amaran. Kamal Haasan played a blind violinist in the film, making musical imagery central to both the plot and the song lyrics.

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