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Isaimozhi
Lyrics & meaning

Yaar Andha Nilavu

From Shanthi · 1965

Lyricist
Kannadasan
Singer
T. M. Soundararajan
Music director
Vishwanathan-Ramamoorthy
Details
Shanthi1965

Lyrics & meaning

Tanglish lyrics English translation
Male
Yaar andha nilavuWho is that moon?
Yaen indha kanavuWhy this dream?
Yaaro solla yaaro endruHearing someone say it is someone else,
Yaaro vandha uravuA relationship came as a stranger.
Kaalam seidha kolamA pattern woven by fate,
Ingu naan vandha varavuThis arrival of mine here.
Male
Yaar andha nilavuWho is that moon?
Yaen indha kanavuWhy this dream?
Yaaro solla yaaro endruHearing someone say it is someone else,
Yaaro vandha uravuA relationship came as a stranger.
Kaalam seidha kolamA pattern woven by fate,
Ingu naan vandha varavuThis arrival of mine here.
Male
Maalaiyum manjalum maariyadhaeThe wedding garland and sacred turmeric have changed,
Oru sodhanaiIt is a ordeal.
Manjam nenjam vaaduvadhaeThe bridal bed and heart wilting away,
Perum vaedhanaiIt is a great agony.
Dheivamae yaaridam yaaraiOh God, whom did you give
Nee thandhaaiyoTo whom?
Un koyil dheebam maariyadhaiThat your temple lamp has been replaced,
Nee arivaaiyoDo you even know?
Ho… oo… koyil dheebam maariyadhaiHo… oo… that your temple lamp has been replaced,
Nee arivaaiyoDo you even know?
Male
Yaar andha nilavuWho is that moon?
Yaen indha kanavuWhy this dream?
Yaaro solla yaaro endruHearing someone say it is someone else,
Yaaro vandha uravuA relationship came as a stranger.
Kaalam seidha kolamA pattern woven by fate,
Ingu naan vandha varavuThis arrival of mine here.
Male
Aadiya naadagam mudiyavillaiThe drama enacted has not ended
Oru naalilaeIn just a single day.
Angum ingum saanthiyillaiThere is no peace anywhere
Silar vaazhvilaeIn the lives of some people.
Dheivamae yaarudan maedaiyilOh God, with whom did you stand
Nee nindraaiyoOn the stage?
Indru yaarai yaaraai naerinilaeToday, whom did you see in person
Nee kandaaiyoAs whom?
Ho …oo…hoo … hohohohohoho…Ho …oo…hoo … hohohohohoho…
Ho… hohohoho…Ho… hohohoho…
Male
Yaar andha nilavuWho is that moon?
Yaen indha kanavuWhy this dream?
Yaaro solla yaaro endruHearing someone say it is someone else,
Yaaro vandha uravuA relationship came as a stranger.
Kaalam seidha kolamA pattern woven by fate,
Ingu naan vandha varavuThis arrival of mine here.
Naan vandha varavuMy arrival here.

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This poignant song expresses deep existential grief, confusion, and heart-wrenching pain caused by a twist of destiny. The protagonist questions his identity, relationships, and the cruel irony of fate that swapped marital bonds and disrupted peaceful lives. He pours out his anguish directly to God, lamenting how a life stage turned into an unceasing drama of sorrow where holy symbols like garlands and temple lamps feel misplaced.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Iyaipu (Rhyming end words)

Yaar andha nilavu / Yaen indha kanavu / Yaaro vandha uravu / Ingu naan vandha varavu

The line endings 'nilavu', 'kanavu', 'uravu', and 'varavu' create a rhythmic, melancholic echo across the pallavi.

Monai (Initial Alliteration)

Maalaiyum manjalum maariyadhae

Repetition of the 'M' sound ('Maalaiyum', 'manjalum', 'maariyadhae') emphasizes the tragic shift in marital emblems.

Metaphor

Un koyil dheebam maariyadhai

The 'temple lamp' serves as a metaphor for the sacred presence and honor of a partner in a household.

Did you know?

Trivia

'Yaar Andha Nilavu' from the 1965 film 'Shanthi' is a legendary composition by Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy, rendered powerfully by T. M. Soundararajan and picturized on Nadigar Thilagam Sivaji Ganesan. Kannadasan's lyrics are famous for capturing deep philosophical anguish and identity crisis through simple yet evocative Tamil terms.

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